'Tots' drive nears halfway point
SANDPOINT — Did you know that more than 382,000 Idahoan residents — including a fair chunk of your friends and neighbors — volunteered last year?
According to the recent “Volunteering and Civic Life in America” report, just over a third of Idaho’s population — 34.1 percent — volunteered in 2015. That once again put the state in the top 10 nationally for volunteerism and helping others in the community, not the first time that Idaho’s residents have earned recognition for their community spirit.
In a statement from Idaho Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter, he said the news shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone.
“Idahoans take great pride in giving back to their communities as volunteers,” he said in a statement from the Idaho Department of Labor. “That’s why anyone who has spent any time at all here should understand why Idaho is in the top five nationally for volunteerism. It’s a big part of who we are.”
The report showed 382,220 Idahoans volunteered in 2015 — equating to about 37.5 volunteer hours per capita, totaling more than 53 million hours of service. The services contributed were valued at $1.1 billion. More than half of the volunteers also donated $25 or more to charity.
To know just how true these numbers are, you don’t have to look any further than the Sandpoint Lions Club’s annual Toys for Tots drive. Each year, the Lions and the entire community raise funds, buy toys and gather the fixings for Christmas dinner to ensure everyone has a wonderful Christmas. Lions and their merry elves organize what is in essence their very own toy store (on back-to-back days, no less) so parents can shop for the perfect give for their children.
Today, the Lions received a whopping $3,056 in donations, bringing the total for this year to $23,765.04. Today’s generous donations come from:
Shannon and Duane Abromeit (in memory of Betty Abromeit), $100; John Moe, $500; Water Systems Management, $1,000; Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce luncheon, $31; Marty Brow (“in loving memory of my son, Frank”), $100; Bob and Wanda Gooby, $200; Gary and Velma Wescott, $50;
Steven and Angela Wilkinson, $100; Dean and Linda Raynor, $100; Michael and Marion McNulty, $100; Donald Kass, $100; Betsy Diedrich Walker (in memory of Milton and Ella Mae Diedrich), $250; Jeanette Schandelmeier, $100; Jack and Shirley Parker (in memory of Jim Lippi), $200; Janice Temple, $25; and Ron and Maryann Giddings (in memory of our friend Bill Brill), $100.
The goal for this year’s campaign is $50,000 — the same as it has been in past years. The Lions make the most of the money by shopping bargains, and with the assistance of generous local businesses.
The Toys for Tots program provides free new toys for children living in the Lake Pend Oreille School District, from Sandpoint to Clark Fork and all points in-between. A Christmas dinner for the family is also provided.
Those who need help this year can apply at the Lions Den, 607 S. Ella Ave., Sandpoint (west of Memorial Field next to the Bonner County Historical Museum.)
The Lions Den will be open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. through Monday, Dec. 19, so members can accept applications. Applications also are available at the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare office.
If you have any questions about Toys for Tots sign-up, call Judy Dabrowski, 208-290-5314.
Donations for Toys for Tots can be dropped off at the front desk at the Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church St., from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Donations also can be mailed to the Sandpoint Lions Club, P.O. Box 414, Sandpoint, ID, 83864
You can also drop off donations at Columbia Bank’s main branch in Sandpoint, 414 Church St., or at the Ponderay branch, 300 Kootenai Cutoff Road.
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.
New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at:
Sagle — Stacey’s Country Kitchen and Travel America Plaza-Conoco.
Sandpoint — Farmin-Stidwell Elementary, Eagles, Sandpoint Fire Department, Columbia Bank, and Wells Fargo.
Kootenai and Ponderay — Columbia Bank, Bradley Insurance, North 40 Outfitters, and Samuels Store and Blue Heron Cafe.
Hope — Holiday Shores.