It’s a love story with an ending 64 years in the making.

Somehow a love letter from a young soldier to his sweetheart waiting at home ended up on the floor of a Dalton, Ga., Walmart where it was found by employees. The letter, postmarked for July 30, 1954, from a military serviceman named Max Holcomb, according to a story on goodnewsnetwork.org, was sent to his sweetheart Martha Young. In the letter, Holcomb writes about how excited he is to return home in 15 days and how he plans to ask Martha’s parents for her hand in marriage.

Though nobody knows how the letter ended up on the floor of the store, Walmart employee Jennifer Hendrix was determined to track down either the sender or the recipient of the letter. In trying to find the couple, the story shares Hendrix learned the couple had already passed away, but she was able to learn the identity of a grandson, Jason Holcomb. Upon getting the Facebook message, Jason Holcomb asked Hendrix to call and gave her his phone number.

The family didn’t know of the letter’s existence and it was emotional to read his grandfather’s words, Jason Holcomb told reporters. The Walmart employees were in awe to learn more about the continuing love story between Max and Martha.

“Max apparently had to bribe his future father-in-law with candy to meet Martha, and their first date was at an ice cream parlor,” a Walmart spokesperson said in an email to goodnewsnetwork.org. “Max did eventually come home from military service in August of 1954, and immediately got married to Martha!”

And while a different sort of love letter — but one that also spans the decades — is the Sandpoint Lions and their annual Christmas campaign.

Toys for Tots also is a story of an enduring love — one between the Sandpoint Lions and the community and those who need a little bit of help during a special time of year.

Through community support, the Lions are able to provide free new toys for children in need who live in the Lake Pend Oreille School District, from Sandpoint to Clark Fork and all points in-between. In addition, gift cards to get the fixings for a Christmas dinner is also given to families.

Today’s generous donations, totaling $2,305, come from Cliff Irish Trucking, $400; Michael & Sue Montgomery, $100; Baxter's on Cedar, $60; Home Sweet Home Consignment, $75; Creations, $100; Idaho Pour Authority, $20; Bri Williams Refined Aesthetics Med Spa, $250; James A. Sewell and Associates, $200; the Hymowitz Family, $1000; and Dr. Anonymous, $100.

To date, $2,405 has been raised. The goal for this year’s Toys for Tots campaign is $75,000, an increase over past years due to the number of people needing help.

The Lions make the most of the money by bargain shopping and with the assistance of generous local businesses. 

Funds raised during the annual campaign go to purchase new toys for area children — or gift cards for older youth — who live in the Lake Pend Oreille School District. Every Christmas, the Lions help almost 1,000 area children, from Sandpoint to Clark Fork and all points in between.

In addition, the Lions give a gift card to a local grocery store so that families can get supplies for their Christmas dinner.

The Lions started taking applications earlier this month, and demand for the program is already well above last year's total, with 100 more applications submitted during the first week than in 2022.

The club is accepting Toys for Tots applications until Dec. 15. Applications are available on the Lions' website, and printed copies are available on the door of the Lions Club, 609 S. Ella Ave.

Donations for Toys for Tots can be dropped off at the front desk at the Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church St., from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. You can also drop off donations (checks and cashier's checks) at Umpqua Bank’s Sandpoint branch, 414 Church St., or at the Ponderay branch, 300 Bonner Mall Way; and at the Ponderay Starbucks. 

Donations may be mailed to the Sandpoint Lions Club, Box 414, Sandpoint, ID 83864.

Donations made by check are preferred. Be sure to include a note with your check indicating that it is a Toys for Tots donation. If you wish to make an anonymous donation, please mention that in your note.

If the donation is being made in someone’s name, be sure to also include a note.

Information: Sandpoint Lions Club, 208-263-4118, or online at bit.ly/SandpointLions