SANDPOINT — “Maybe Christmas,” the Grinch thought, “doesn’t come from a store.”

The classic Dr. Seuss tale follows the transformation of the Grinch, a bitter, cranky, cantankerous and crabby cave-dwelling soul who ever-so-much HATES Christmas. With a heart “two sizes too small,” the Grinch can hear the merry dancing, singing and laughter from the bright and cheery town of Whoville, home of the warm-hearted Whos. Annoyed, ever so annoyed, the Grinch plots to steal Christmas — not just the trees, not just the presents, not just the bright lights glowing in the night or the star atop the Christmas tree — but every single scrap, every bow, every box, every present. Everything.

Disguised as a wrinkled and barely-passable Santa Claus and with his loyal dog, Max, disguised as a reindeer, the Grinch makes his way stealthily down the steep, snowy mountains toward Whoville, where he slides, slithers and maneuvers his way down the chimney of one house, and then another, stealing the presents, the trees and even the log for the Christmas fire.

After stealing from one house, he does the same thing to all the other houses in the village of Whoville. He only briefly stops in his yuletide theft, when interrupted by Cindy Lou Who, where he quickly spins a tale, sends the tot back to bed and sneaks out the door, leaving nothing behind.

Repeating his nefarious actions to steal Christmas from every home in Whoville, the Grinch and the loyal Max head back up Mount Crumpit, where the Grinch plans to toss every last scrap of Christmas into the abyss. He is shocked when, instead of tears and cries of sadness when the Whos discover the absence of everything, he hears the joyful sounds of a Christmas song.

He is puzzled, the Grinch is, as he listens to the Christmas song and sees the Whos gathered in a circle singing and cheerful. He realizes that maybe, just maybe, Christmas is about more than presents and feasting. His shriveled heart grows three sizes that day, relates Dr. Seuss in the book.

The Grinch does a 180 and turns the sleigh around and returns all of the Christmas presents, all of the Christmas trees, and even the Christmas log — every last scrap is returned to the Whos in Whoville. The Grinch then joins in the celebration and in the Whos’ Christmas feast.

We have our own Whos in the community in the form of the Sandpoint Lions. Always cheerful and always wanting Christmas to be merry and bright, they work hard to make Christmas something special for each and every youngster in the community. But the Lions aren’t the only Whos around — everyone who donates, everyone who drops a coin in one of the various and assorted coin jars, also gets to claim Who status (and the Grinch after he reformed).

Today's donations total $1,159.05, bringing the total amount raised so far in this year's Toys for Tots drive to $27,280.52

Generous donations were received from: Patti and Gale Burnett, $250; Sandpoint Surgical Associates, $9.05; Walmart Associates, $700; and anonymous, $200.

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.