SANDPOINT — It was a love story with an ending 64 years in the making.

I was wandering through the internet, casually wandering from one story to the next, clicking on this link or that link on the Good News Network website when I stumbled upon a story about a love letter from a young soldier to his sweetheart waiting at home.

Somehow the letter ended up on the floor of a Dalton, Ga., Walmart where it was found by employees. The letter, postmarked for July 30, 1954, from a military serviceman named Max Holcomb, according to a story on goodnewsnetwork.org, was sent to his sweetheart, Martha Young. In the letter, Holcomb writes about how excited he is to return home in 15 days and how he planned to ask Martha’s parents for her hand in marriage.

Though nobody knows how the letter ended up on the floor of the store, Walmart employee Jennifer Hendrix was determined to track down either the sender or the recipient of the letter. In trying to find the couple, the story shares Hendrix learned the couple had already passed away, but she was able to learn the identity of a grandson, Jason Holcomb. Upon getting the Facebook message, Jason Holcomb asked Hendrix to call and gave her his phone number.

The family didn’t know of the letter’s existence and it was emotional to read his grandfather’s words, Jason Holcomb told reporters. The Walmart employees were in awe to learn more about the continuing love story between Max and Martha.

“Max apparently had to bribe his future father-in-law with candy to meet Martha, and their first date was at an ice cream parlor,” a Walmart spokesperson said in an email to goodnewsnetwork.org. “Max did eventually come home from military service in August of 1954, and immediately got married to Martha!”

And while a different sort of love letter, Toys for Tots also is a story of an enduring love — one between the Sandpoint Lions and the community and those who need a little bit of help during a special time of year.

Today's generous donation of $1,000 comes from an anonymous individual who just wanted to make Christmas merry for the community's youth. 

To date, the campaign has raised $5,800 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