'Tots' total beginning to add up

SANDPOINT — You may have seen the story going around Facebook.

A young mom was flying from Orlando to Philadelphia with her 11-month-old daughter, who suffers from chronic lung disease, to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for treatment. Pushing a stroller, weighed down by the diaper bag and lugging her daughter’s oxygen machine, Kelsey Rae Zwick had just settled into her pre-boarded seats when she was approached by a flight attendant. A passenger in first class wanted to switch seats.

“Not able to hold back tears, I cried my way up the aisle while my daughter Lucy laughed!” wrote Zwick. “She felt it in her bones too… real, pure, goodness. I smiled and thanked you as we switched but didn’t get to thank you properly.

Later, Zwick wanted to do more — she wanted the man to know just how much his act of kindness meant to her. She wrote a post on her Facebook page, and asked friends to share, hoping that somehow he would see it. Not only did her friends share the message, but their friends as well and soon the post went viral.

“Sooo… thank you,” Zwick wrote in the post. “Not just for the seat itself but for noticing. For seeing us and realizing that maybe things are not always easy. For deciding you wanted to show a random act of kindness to US. It reminded me how much good there is in this world.

“I can’t wait to tell Lucy someday. In the meantime… we will pay it forward.”

Zwick’s Facebook letter was shared hundreds of thousands of times until American Airlines finally tracked down the mystery flier: 46-year-old Jason Kunselman, notes a story on goodnewsnetwork.org.

In the story, Kunselman, who is an executive platinum frequent flier, said he himself was brought to tears when he saw the pair boarding the plane with all of their medical equipment in tow and knew he had to do something.

“I expected to see her in the front since she had the oxygen machine with her but when I boarded she was in the back,” Kunselman told The Daily Mail. “So I asked the flight attendant if she thought the young lady with the baby would be more comfortable in my seat.”

He didn’t think much of the good deed until his wife saw Zwick’s Facebook post days later, the story relates. Since then, American Airlines has connected the two passengers on social media so they could express their appreciation for each other, and airline officials says they also plan on formally thanking Kunselman for his generosity.

One simple act of kindness. A deed that will inspire young Lucy — as well as all who hear her tale. Like Kunselman, we also can serve as a source of inspiration simply by making a donation to the Sandpoint Lions’ Toys for Tots campaign. By doing so, we let the children in the community know that dreams can come true — and that anything is possible.

Today’s generous donations of $1,258, bringing the total to $20,423.89, were received from: Paul and Nancy Thompson, Thompson Lawn Care, $100; Jeanette Schandelmeier, $100; anonymous, $200; Joyce Spiller, $100; Co-0P Gas & Supply Company (employees and company), $300; Nancy and Thomas Renk, $50; Norma Benda, $50; anonymous, $23; Linda Blessing and Bruce Hensley, $200; Howard and Connie Shay, in memory of our daughter who loved Christmas, $25; Tervan coin jar, $75; and Second Avenue Pizza coin jar, $35.

The goal for this year’s Toys for Tots 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.

If you know someone, or need help yourself, the Lions are taking applications for the 2018 Toys for Tots program. Members are at the Lions Den, 607 S. Ella, on Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays, until Monday, Dec. 17 Applications are also available at the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare office, 207 Larkspur St., Ponderay.

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. You can also drop off donations at Columbia Bank’s main branch in Sandpoint, 414 Church St., or at the Ponderay branch, 300 Bonner Mall Way.

Donations may be mailed to the Sandpoint Lions Club, Box 414, Sandpoint, ID 83864.

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.

Information: Sandpoint Lions Club, 208-263-4118

Caroline Lobsinger can be reached by email at clobsinger@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @CarolDailyBee.