SANDPOINT — Quick, when is World Kindness Day?

Launched after several humanitarian groups came together in mid-November, 1997, World Kindness Day celebrates acts both large and small and encourages everyone to make a similar declaration of kindness.

While a week past — the day is celebrated each year Nov. 13 — World Kindness Day represents a global endeavor that transcends national boundaries and cultural differences, according to the nonprofit's website.

Since its launch at a Japan conference in the late 1990s, the movement has grown significantly over the years. Its aim is simple: Connect nations and promote peace through kindness, showing that goodness and niceness can bridge the biggest of divides.

"Moreover, the movements works to establish (the day) as not just a day but a starting point for ongoing, year-round efforts that emphasize compassion and understanding as key societal values," the group notes on its website. "The aim is to ensure that kindness becomes more than just an occasional gesture, it is envisioned as a fundamental aspect of human interaction that is celebrated and practiced universally, strengthening societal bonds and enhancing mutual respect among diverse populations."

On the group’s website, it notes that donating books, food or clothes to your local community is a great way to celebrate. However, pledging to commit just one act of kindness is no less worthwhile: hold the door open for a stranger, compliment your neighbor on their collection of garden gnomes, let your partner have control of the TV remote for the evening.

Perhaps, however, making a child’s Christmas merry might be the best act of kindness yet.

And while, Kindness Day 2025 has passed, in the spirit of the movement it honors, you can celebrate by remembering the Sandpoint Lions Club’s Toys for Tots campaign.

To date, the campaign has raised $3,750 of 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, 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