SANDPOINT — Roxy's is looking to make Christmas extra merry for the community's youth.

Toward that end, the downtown bar is hosting a toy drive and silent auction Dec. 21 to both mark the winter solstice but, more importantly, help the Sandpoint Lions ensure local youth in the community have a merry Christmas.

Community residents who are 21 years and older are invited to come have fun, enjoy great music with the Miah Kohal Band. Participants are asked to bring a new unwrapped toy valued at $10 or more; in return, each toy of that value or more earns a ticket toward the door prize of stadium seats.

In addition, there will be a number of silent auction items.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Sandpoint Lions' Toys for Tots campaign.

Today's donations total $3,486.08, bringing the total amount raised so far in this year's Toys for Tots drive to $26,121.47.

Generous donations were received from: anonymous, $1,500; “Taylor and Sons Chevrolet, In remembrance of one of our sons, Tucker Joseph Taylor,” $1,500; anonymous, “found money from our walks and wallets,” $72.13; Arnie’s coin jar, $88.95; Doug and Linda Bottcher, $100; Mickey Quinn, $25; Shirley A. Parker, $100; and John Duane and Shannon E. Abromeit, $100.

A special note: A donation in Thursday's paper should have noted the $200 donation was in memory of Bill and Jennifer Miller. 

Each year, the Sandpoint Lions team up with local businesses and the community through its Toys for Tots program to ensure everyone has a merry Christmas.

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.

Because of the greater need in recent years, the Lions raised the goal for the community Christmas drive to $75,000 — to better reflect 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. 

The club is accepting Toys for Tots applications until Dec. 17. 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. Those interested can also drop off donations at area banks and Mr. Sub, 602 N. Fifth Ave. in Sandpoint.

Donations may be mailed to the Sandpoint Lions Club, Box 414, Sandpoint, ID 83864, or dropped into any one of multiple coin jars located around town. Donations should include a note that it is for Toys for Tots and, 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.