SANDPOINT — Forget cats, this time of year, Christmas rules the internet.

A quick Google search of “Christmas” nets about 457 million results, “Xmas” nets another 286 million and change, and Santa brings up at least 545 million results.

I would have continued, but all of the various Christmas words and phrases would probably break the internet if I tried any more to see how many websites are out there dedicated to the holidays.

(And I didn’t even try to see how many tweets, posts, feeds or other assorted social media options there are related to Christmas and the magic of the season.

There are sites dedicated to Christmas, Santa, and to the North Pole. There are website with Christmas tales of woe, and celebration.

There are sites dedicated to helping you find the perfect gift, make the perfect meal or buy that ugly holiday sweater that you’ve had your eye on for the past six months.

There are websites detailing every holiday movie ever made and some of the fiercest debates can be over which Christmas movie is THE best one — or whether a certain film is a Christmas movie or not.

Other websites feature Christmas clip art, Christmas decorations, where the best Christmas light displays can be found and more.

Every Christmas idea you can imagine — as well as millions you never conceived of before — can be found at your fingertips, helping you find your new favorite Christmas tradition.

My favorite Christmas tradition can be found right here at home — the Sandpoint Lions Club’s Toys for Tots campaign, which raises $75,000 to buy toys and gift certificates for more than 1,000 youngsters in the Lake Pend Oreille School District.

Now THAT is a Christmas tradition we can all get behind.

Today's generous donations, totaling $2,700, come from: Peter Nelson Bilodeau, $500; Ann Kritzeck, $200; Woods Meat Processing, $500; Delbert Bade, $150; Esther Inselman, $50; Carol Giusto, $100; Charleen & Roger Berget, $25; anonymous, $500; Bette Spaargaren, $50; anonymous, $100; Steve Blaska, $25; James A Sewell & Associates, $250; and Teresa Russell, $250.

To date, the campaign has raised $12,352.50 toward its $75,000 goal to provide Christmas presents to those in need in the Lake Pend Oreille School District.

If you know someone who needs help, make sure they sign up so Christmas is a happy holiday for everyone in the community. The deadline this year is Dec. 12 to sign up and Dec. 13 to pick up toys.

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

Funds raised go toward purchasing 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.

This year’s goal is $75,000 to ensure all area youth receive a present. Donations may be mailed to the Sandpoint Lions Club, P.O. Box 414, Sandpoint, ID 83864, or dropped into any coin jar around town. Donations should include a note that it is for Toys for Tots and, if you wish to remain anonymous, please mention that in your note.

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 include a note.

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

Each day during the drive, donors’ names will be published along with the amount of their donations. A running total will be included to help the community know where the Toys for Tots campaign stands.

If you can, please consider donating. Every penny, every dollar adds up, and if we all pitch in, we can make this, once again, a successful Toys for Tots campaign. Additional donations help the Lions buy ahead and make the most of the community’s generous support.

In Sandpoint, toys and donations can be dropped off at the Bonner County Daily Bee, Mr. Sub, Columbia Bank, Connie’s Cafe, Serv-A-Burger, Mountain West Bank, Pivo Peaks Alehouse, Sandpoint Family Medicine and Urgent Care, and the Bonner County Fairgrounds.

In Sagle, toys and donations can be dropped off at Buckin’ Beans and Encoder Products (in the front lobby, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.).

In Ponderay, toys and donations can be dropped off at Alpenglow Salon, Walmart, North 40, Columbia Bank, Arnie’s, Better Together Animal Shelter, Community Resource EnVision Center, Litehouse, Elite Tire, Vinnie Todd’s Barbershop, Hoot Owl, Papa Murphy’s and Mountain West Bank.

Information: Sandpoint Lions Club, 208-263-4118, [email protected] or bit.ly/SandpointLions