SANDPOINT — “The spirit of Christmas is the spirit of love and of generosity and of goodness. It illuminates the picture window of the soul, and we look out upon the world’s busy life and become more interested in people than in things”

The quote by American clergyman Thomas S. Monson is just one of hundreds, if not thousands on brainyquotes.com that touch on generosity. It also reminded me of a recent study which found Idahoans to be among the most generous in the country.

Need proof? Just look at the Sandpoint Lions’ annual Toys for Tots program. A recent study found the state’s residents were among the nation’s most generous, based on a slew of categories from volunteer rate and among donation based on adjusted gross income to growth in charitable giving, volunteer hours per capita and number of charities per 10,000 residents.

It’s nice to have the data to back up what we all already knew, but I don’t need a national study to tell me what a quick look at the list of community members who donate each year to the Sandpoint Lions’ Toys for Tots. If someone needs a helping hand, neighbors are there without being asked. If someone forgets their wallet, you can bet someone in line will offer assistance. Medical bills to pay? You can bet that a fundraiser is in the works and soon the fairgrounds will be packed with friends, neighbors and community members looking to help out.

And then there is the Lions’ Toys for Tots campaign. Each year, everyone pitches in to help the Lions reach their $75,000 goal; from a little girl giving her allowance to coin jars at local businesses to area leaders and residents digging deep — with donations both large and small — to ensure everyone has a merry Christmas.

There's no doubt times are tight, but each donation — no matter how large or how small — is important. With the donations from coin jars and children's allowance equally as important.

And, in that same vein is the magic that is Christmas — God's love manifested through kindness, joy and generosity. It is a magic practiced by the Lions every day through its annual Toys for Tots Christmas campaign.

Today's generous donations, totaling $192, come from the community's Girl Scouts.

To date, the campaign has raised $20,248.50 toward its goal.

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 was 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