It should come as no surprise that exercising, eating healthy and saving money are among the top resolutions every year.

According to a Good News Network story, a poll of 2,000 Americans found that a vast number of people were looking to make a fresh start in several areas. Among the findings: put more money into savings 45%; exercise, 45%; improving health, 41%; and eating healthier, 40%.

Men were more likely to create a resolution, and among the different generations, millennials were the most likely to create set goals, according to the website.

“Setting meaningful personal goals is a positive step for mental well-being and growth, but it is equally important that we go easy on ourselves if we don’t achieve them right away,” Dr. Nikole Benders-Hadi, chief medical officer at Talkspace, is quoted on the website as saying.

“Remember that there can be growth in trying to achieve goals, even if you don’t always achieve exactly what you set out to, or the outcome doesn’t look or feel like what you expected.”

Helping others is also a common goal, and among the community's favorite ways to do just that is the Sandpoint Lions' Toys for Tots annual Christmas drive.

Donations from a handful of change to large checks from generous donors all add up to something pretty magical — a merry Christmas for all of the community’s youngsters.

Today's generous donations, totaling $150, come from Steve Brixon, $100; and Tari Pardini, $50.

To date, the campaign has raised $46,028.67 of the $75,000 needed to ensure every child in the community has a merry Christmas.

The Lions want to make sure every child in the community has a merry Christmas — each and every year. While Christmas has passed, the Lions are still working to hit their goal to ensure a merry Christmas is had in 2026. (Much of the funds raised each year goes toward the coming year to help the Lions make the most of each dollar donated.)

To help the Lions attempt to meet their $75,000 goal, the Toys for Tots drive is continuing through Dec 31.

Won’t you join them in making a donation — it doesn’t matter how big or how small — and help the Sandpoint Lions Club reach its goal for Toys for Tots?

Donations can be made at a variety of local businesses, listed below and including the Daily Bee at 310 Church St., Sandpoint, or online at bit.ly/LionsToysForTots.

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.

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