SWAC aids 'Tots' drive
SANDPOINT — Exercise really does, it seems, pay off.
Look no further than the Sandpoint West Athletic Club’s recent “12 Hours of Classes” fundraiser.
Staff at the Sandpoint fitness gym donate their time for the classes, members often donate extra and SWAC owners Don and Sue Helander pledge to match up to $500. The result this year — the fourth or fifth year that gym has held the fundraiser for the Sandpoint Lions’ Toys for Tots campaign — is an amazing and generous $800 donation to help make Christmas merry for area youngsters.
“This year, everyone really rallied and stepped up,” Sue Helander said of the fundraiser’s success, noting the program serves a variety of needs from ensuring Christmas presents for youngster in the family but also a Christmas dinner.
Helander challenged other gyms to hold their own fundraisers and donate to the Lions campaign.
Adding to the amazing totals being raised by local coin jars is that contributed by the folks at Mr. Sub, which dropped off an $86 donations to the Sandpoint Lions’ Toys for Tots campaign.
Today’s generous donations, which totaled $1,966, also were given by:
Aquatechnex, LLC, $250; David Batteiger, $300; Anonymous, $50; Farm Bureau staff, $30; Frontier employees, $300; Bill & Jan Temple, $50; Knights of Columbus, Father Kelly Council No. 2888, $100.
To date, $16,794 has been raised for the Sandpoint Lions’ Toys for Tots program. The goal for this year’s campaign is $50,000 — the same as it has been in past years.
The Toys for Tots program provides free new toys for children living in the Lake Pend Oreille School District. 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 Wednesday, Dec. 16 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 Nancy Lewis at 263-7796.
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.
Donations of new, unwrapped toys may be made at the Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church St.; Northland Communications, 509 N. Fifth Ave., Suite 1B; Stacey’s Country Kitchen, 469000 Highway 95, Sagle; Washington Elementary, 420 S. Boyer Ave., Sandpoint; Farmin Stidwell Elementary, 1626 Spruce St., Sandpoint; Sagle Elementary, 550 Sagle Road; Southside Elementary, 1 Southside School Road, Cocolalla; Valley Vista Care, 220 N. Division Ave., Sandpoint; Sagle Fire Department, 2689 Gun Club Road, Sagle; Sandpoint Fire Department, 1123 Lake St., Sandpoint; Walmart, 476999 Highway 95, Ponderay; North 40, 477181 Highway 95, Ponderay; Washington Trust, 509 N. Fifth Ave., Suite E; Banner Bank, 605 Fifth Ave.; and at Columbia Bank’s main branch in Sandpoint, 414 Church St., or at the Ponderay branch, 300 Bonner Mall Way.