Coin jars add up for 'Tots'
SANDPOINT — When you see a penny, do you pick it up?
Some do, some don’t — after all, what can a penny buy?
When it comes to the Sandpoint Lions’ Toys for Tots drive, the sky is the limit — when you team up with other folks contributing their pennies, dimes, nickels and quarters. For proof, you don’t have to look any further than the several dozen coin jars generously hosted by local businesses.
So, today’s challenge is when you are out and about and you see a coin jar with the Toys for Tots name on it, instead of tossing your change into your wallet or purse, toss it into the coin jar as well.
Coin jars can be found at the following locations:
Sagle — Stacey’s Country Kitchen, Travel America Plaza-Conoco, and Peck Landscape Supply and Farm Store.
Sandpoint — 219, A&P, Tervan, Ol’ Red’s Pub, Pita Pit, Farmin-Stidwell Elementary, Eagles, Gas & Go, Burger Express, Dubs, Super 1, Dairy Depot, Pend d’Oreille Winery, Trinity, Bleeding Heart Tattoo, Mr. Sub, Connie’s, The Hound, Sandpoint Fire Department, Horizon Credit Union, and Roxy’s.
Kootenai and Ponderay — Hoot Owl, Babe’s One Stop, Co-Op, Arnie’s, Yoke’s, Happy Hour, and Samuels Store and Blue Heron Cafe.
Clark Fork — Evergreen Supply, May’s Chevron, and Cenex.
Hope — Holiday Shores.
Toy boxes are available at the following locations:
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.
Today, the Lions have received $650 in donations, bringing the total for this year to $12,557.17. Today’s generous donations come from: Sally & Frederick Park (honoring Alan Wentner’s memory), $250; Randall and Jody Curran Thoreson, $100; Paula and Ryan McGinty, $50; anonymous, $125; anonymous, $100; and Elizabeth A. Fulling, $25.
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.