Just about every kid dreams of being a cowgirl or cowboy, riding the trails of the Wild West and corralling the bad guys.

Thanks to Donnie Perry, children with developmental challenges have a chance to live that dream, too.

Through Little Pardners Rodeo, roughly 40 youth each year between the ages of 4 to 17 in California's Bay Area are invited to a full day of cowboy and cowgirl activities — riding ponies, testing lassoing skills and riding a mechanical bull among them, according to a story on the Good News Network website.

“It’s hard to find things that they can do and can do safely and have fun,” Little Pardners founder Donnie Perry told a reporter. “Everybody wants to be a cowboy/cowgirl at some point in their lives, this is a way we can make that dream come true.”

Perry, whose son Joshua has Down Syndrome, has been holding the event since before his son was born. He loves being a cowboy and being able to share that love with all kids fills his heart with joy.

"When you see the smiles on their faces? That's what make the whole thing worth it," Perry told a CBS News reporter Sharin Tin.

The day is dedicated to rodeo, the cowboy and cowgirl lifestyle and fun.

"It's hard to find things that they can do and do safely and have fun," Perry told the KPIX reporter. "Everybody wants to be a cowboy or a cowgirl at some point in time in their lives. This is a way that we can make that dream come true."

Like the Livermore Rodeo Foundation and Littermore Stockmen's Rodeo Association, which partner to sponsor Little Pardners, the Sandpoint Lions are all about making special memories. The only difference is that the Sandpoint Lions are dedicated to creating Christmas magic through the club's Toys for Tots drive.

Today’s generous donations, totaling $750, were given by Ronald Mamajek, $500; Dennis and JeAnnie Yaeger, $100; Barbara Earley, $50, and Brian and Laura Bjerke, $100.

To date, the campaign has raised $4,800 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