Christmas made merry by 'Tots'
SANDPOINT — Did you know that 74 percent of people attend a Christmas party? Or that 88 percent of people put up a Christmas tree?
According to History.com, that’s the case. The website also notes there are more than 350 million Christmas trees growing in the United States at this very moment. (The most common Christmas tree varieties include the balsam fir, Douglas fir, Fraser fir, noble fir, Scotch pine, Virginia pine, white pine, and Norway spruce as well as the blue spruce.)
History.com also notes that the most lights ever put on a Christmas tree totals a whopping 194,672 on a tree in Belgium in 2010 and that the most expensively decorated Christmas tree was valued at more than $11 million on a tree displayed at the Emirates Place in the United Arab Emirate.
There are a number of towns in the U.S. with Christmas-y names, including North Pole, Alaska, Santa Claus, Ga., Santa Claus, Ind., Noel, Mo., Rudolph, Wis., Dasher, Ga., Snowflake, Ariz., and Holly Springs, Mich. Surprisingly, Santa-Point, Idaho-ho-ho, didn’t make the list.
More than 1.76 billion candy canes are produced in the United States each year — and laid, end to end, there would circle the equator 6.7 times, according to the website.
History.com also notes that about 93 percent of people exchange gifts during the holidays.
But what happens if life has thrown you a curveball and you aren’t able to buy presents this Christmas? That’s where this great community and the Sandpoint Lions come in. Since the 1950s, the Sandpoint Lions determined that no child would lose out on the magic of Christmas — and the community’s generosity has made sure that Christmas wish comes true each year.
Today’s donations add up to $870, bringing the total to $20,144.97.
Generous contributions were received from: anonymous, $100; Nancy & Thomas Renk, $50; Exotic Landscapes, $100; Donald & Charlotte Butler, $200; Craven’s Taxidermy, Terry & Judy Cravens, $50; Harold Bottomley III, $100; anonymous, $100; Philip Hough & Deborah Hunsicker, $50; and “The Snowman Crafters,” $120.
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 History Museum.)
The Lions Den will be open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Monday, Dec. 18, 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.
Caroline Lobsinger can be reached by email at clobsinger@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @CarolDailyBee.