'Tots' drive brings holiday joy
CAROLINE LOBSINGER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 9 months, 1 week AGO
I grew up in the Tri-Cities, Wash., and have always loved to write. I attended the University of Washington, where I earned a double major in journalism and political science, with an area of emphasis in history. I am the fifth out of six kids — don't believe any of the stories that my siblings tell. To be able to tell others stories and take photos for a living is a dream come true — and I considered myself blessed to be a community journalist. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, hiking and spending time outdoors, genealogy, reading, and watching the UW Huskies and the Seattle Seahawks. I am a servant to my cat, Frankie, who yes, will eat anything and everything in sight … even wedding cookies. | November 21, 2025 1:00 AM
SANDPOINT — In reality, there are far more than 10 reasons to donate to the Sandpoint Lions' Toys for Tots Christmas campaign.
With the campaign just underway — and with apologies to David Letterman and a nod to his famous Top 10 lists, here are 10 ways to help raise the funds needed to ensure every child in the community has a merry Christmas.
• Dig through your purse, change drawer, or couch seat and put the change in a Toys for Tots change jar.
• Round up your grocery shopping to the nearest dollar and donate the difference to Toys for Tots.
• Instead of buying a candy bar or bag of chips from the office candy machine, give that money for Toys for Tots.
• Hold an office basket exchange and raffle them off; then donate the money to Toys for Tots.
• Skip buying a coffee for a day and donate the money to Tots for Tots.
• When you’re out Christmas and holiday shopping, buy an extra gift for Toys for Tots (or take the equivalent and donate it to the Lions).
• Donate $5 (or an amount of your choosing) and challenge your friends on Facebook to match your donation.
• Challenge your friends on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and others to donate to Toys for Tots. The one who raises the most money gets treated to coffee.
• If you think "Die Hard" is a Christmas movie, donate $10. If you think it isn't a Christmas movie, donate $10.
• Email your friends and share your plans to donate; encourage them to do the same.
Today's donations come from: Paula McGinty, $50; Linda Raynor, $100; Robert A. Gordon, $100; Sharon's Hallmark, $200; Michael D. Leita, $100; Doreen C. Dugan, $50; Phyllis Townsend, $1,000; Kenneth Conger, $150.
These generous donations bring the total of this year's Toys for Tots campaign to $1,750.
If you know of 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, and the deadline to pick up toys is Dec. 13.
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
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