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Community's generosity drives 'Tots' campaign

by CAROLINE LOBSINGER
Staff Writer | November 30, 2021 1:00 AM

SANDPOINT — Billings firefighters were helping clean up after an accident when one, Ryan Benton, noticed the couple's young daughter was looking lost as her parents and other emergency crews were busy with reports and tow trucks.

Benton quickly went over to the fire engine and grabbed a book from a special book bag and over to the youngster, according to the website Good News Network.

Benton then sat down on the curb, gathered the young girl next to him, and began reading.

“This allowed her to calm down and allowed the parents the ability to focus on getting some sense of normalcy back after a traumatic event like an accident,” a fire department spokesperson said in the story posted to the website.

The scene happened to be captured by a bystander, who posted it online, where it quickly went viral.

Benton declined requests to appear in interviews, leaving that to co-workers, who said their fellow firefighter said he was just doing his job.

It's not uncommon for firefighters and emergency crews to carry stuffed animals, books or other items to give to youngsters at the scene of an accident or when they respond to their homes.

The goal is to bring some calm into their lives, a sense of normalcy and sensibility into an otherwise stressful situation, firefighters said in an interview with KTVQ in Billings.

In a way that is what the Sandpoint Lions Club does with its annual Toys for Tots campaign. Generous donations from the community allow the lights to ensure Christmas is a time of joy for all youth in the Lake Pend Oreille School District.

To date, the annual Christmas drive has raised $2,063.

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 bargain shopping, and with the assistance of generous local businesses.

Sign-up applications are available at the Bonner Community Food Bank and on the door of the Lions Den at 609 S. Ella Avenue right by the caboose in Lakeview Park. They can also be downloaded at bit.ly/3x7md4o.

Registration started Nov. 1 and ends on Dec. 17. Those filling out the application are reminded to be sure to fill out both pages and return your application promptly.

As last year, the application form includes information for parents to detail a wish list for each of their children as well as their favorite color and TV show or movie. This allows the Lions to fulfill as many wishes as they can.

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 Sandpoint branch, 414 Church St., or at the Ponderay branch, 300 Bonner Mall Way; and at the Ponderay and Sandpoint Starbucks.

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