SANDPOINT — With just a few weeks to go before Christmas, I can’t help but think of the “A Christmas Story” 24-hour marathon that plays on repeat on several Turner Broadcasting System stations.

Or you may even own a copy of the DVD and/or watch it (maybe) year-round on one of the many streaming services. (No judgment if you do. It's a Christmas classic for a reason.)

The 1983 American Christmas comedy film is based on Jean Shepherd’s semi-fictional anecdotes in his 1966 book “In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash” with a few bits and pieces and other parts mixed ins from his 1971 book “Wanda Hickey’s Night of Golden Memories,” according to Wikipedia.

It's no wonder that the movie is ranked as one of the best Christmas films of all-time­ — for me, it’s at the top. (However, for many, “It’s A Wonderful Life” is THE definitive Christmas movie, and I love it too.

The film tells the story of young Ralphie Parker who dreams of THE perfect Christmas gift — a Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-shot Range Model air rifle. At every turn, Ralphie’s dream is thwarted by the adults in his life with the stern warning, “You’ll shoot your eye out.”

First his parents, then his teacher, everyone — even the Jolly Old Elf himself looks at Ralphie as he climbs back up the slide after panicking and blanking when originally asked what he wants for Christmas. “A football? You want a football, kid?” Ralphie’s mind goes blank and he nods. “Yeah, a football.”

As soon as the words leave his mouth, Ralph realizes in horror he hasn’t told Santa what he REALLY wants. He forces his mad slide downward and struggles to climb back to where Santa is sitting. After making it to the top to ask for his beloved Red Ryder, he grins in hope, only to have them dashed when Santa Claus delivers his verdict: “You’ll shoot your eye out, kid.”

Ralphie is dejected, his last hope gone.

Christmas morning arrives and Ralphie and his younger brother, Randy, dive into their presents. As Randy falls asleep in the heaping pile of presents, Ralphie’s dad, “The Old Man," asks if he’d gotten everything he wanted. While he said he is happy with his presents, Ralphie admits that he didn’t get everything. 

The Old Man feigns puzzlement as he stares at a spot across the room. He then points out a present he’d hidden behind the tree. "I think you missed one," he tells Ralphie.

After rushing over, Ralphie opens it to find a Red Ryder BB-gun.

That night asleep in bed, young Ralphie is in bed with his trusty Red Rider cradled at his side as the adult Ralphie narrates that this was the best present he had ever received or would ever receive.

This year, as in the past, area residents are generously donating to help local youngsters to have their own Christmas dreams come true through the Sandpoint Lions Club’s Toys for Tots campaign.

To make that happen, the Lions partner with local residents and business to raise money to buy toys and gift cards for more than 1,000 youth in the Lake Pend Oreille School District.

Today's generous donations, totaling $200, come from Richard and Melanie Zimmer, $50; and John and Barbara Juneau, $150.

To date, the campaign has raised $16,072.50 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