Businesses add to Fourth fund total

SANDPOINT — Scattered through donations are the names of several businesses in the community.

As in the Lions' Toys for Tots drive, held each year to raise funds to make Christmas merry for all, the businesses are stepping up to make sure another holiday is special for everyone.

You won’t find a more generous group of business and community groups than in Sandpoint. From the first of the year to the last, they go out of their way to help those in need, those seeking a donation for various causes and fundraisers and yet, when it comes to Toys for Tots — and now the Lions' Fourth of July campaign — they dig even deeper because they know holidays are special here and they want to make sure they stay that way.

A case in point is today's $1,000 donation from Ting, bringing the total amount received to date to $11,495 of the Lions' hoped for goal of $25,000.

While the club has the funds to cover the costs of the parades, celebration, and fireworks show, they're looking to make them bigger and better than ever.

And that's where you come in. Please consider donating to the show and make this a safe and memorable Fourth of July for everyone.

Those donating to the Independence Day celebration will be named in future columns. If you would like to be anonymous, please indicate that on your donation or let the Lions Club know.

This year, the theme for Fourth of July parades is "It Takes a Community" and the event will showcase the many local businesses which impacted by the pandemic, and celebrate the community and all residents, Lions Club officials said.

Applications are being accepted for the Grand Parade, and will be until the morning of the parade.

The children’s parade will start at 9 a.m., and the Grand Parade will begin at 10 a.m.

Although overall fundraising for this year is limited due to the short turnaround time, Lions Club officials held a raffle in 2019 to pay for 2020 fireworks, which were then run by Sandpoint Independence Day, Inc. instead.

Those funds, in addition to community donations, will be used for the Fourth of July events.

Those who wish to contribute to the July 4 fundraising can do so by clicking the donation link on the Lion’s Facebook page or dropping off donations at the Daily Bee, 310 Church St.