Local Santas add to 'Tots' total
SANDPOINT — For more than four decades, Kentucky resident Mike Howard would don his Santa suit and head out to deliver Christmas gifts — thousands of them — to some of the poorest children and their families.
When Howard, beloved as “Mountain Santa” throughout Harlan County and throughout the state, lost his battle to cancer in 2018, some feared that his legacy of love for the season and for helping others would disappear. However, his son Jordan knew he couldn’t let that happen.
Instead, he has adopted his father’s alter ego of “Mountain Santa” and is continuing the tradition of helping others. Since October, Jordan Howard has been busy wrapping and decorating Christmas gifts in his workshop. According to goodnewsnetwork.org, he believes he will have about 4,000 presents to hand out.
“I’d say we got over 1,000 right now — and it’s just midway through,” he told WYMT in an interview, according to a post on the website.
“It’s a feeling that you can’t describe. You don’t think that a community would come together like they have to keep doing this, but it’s just awesome. It’s just amazing.”
Like the Kentucky father and son and their merry band of helpers, Bonner County has their own Santas in disguise in the form of the Sandpoint Lions Club. These wonderful men and women dedicate themselves year-round to raising money, going into high gear in December to raise the needed funds.
Helping in the effort are the amazing people, organizations and businesses of Bonner County, who reach into their wallets to donate everything from a few dollars to hundreds and thousands of dollars. Businesses like Sand Creek Schweitzer Conoco, which donated $2,000 on Friday, or organizations like the Bonner County Sportsman’s Association, which added another $300 to the total.
These Santas in disguise are amazing and wonderful and are truly humbling.
Today’s donations add up to a generous $4,150 — bringing the total to $15,165.85. Generous donations were received from: Robert & Ellen Lizotte, $75; Jeanette Schandelmeir, $100; Bruce & Sue Vogelsinger, $100; Steve & Grace Brixen, $100; Dan & Patty McLaughlin, $100; Ron & Maryann Giddings, $100; A-1 Gooby Self Storage, $250; Aaron’s Self Storage, $250; David F. Mundell, $100; James Malkames, $25; Norma Benda, $50; Robert & Ronald Venn (In memory of Dona Mae Venn), $50; Arlo & Patricia Clayburn, $50; Sand Creek Schweitzer Conoco, $2000; Lynda Roberts (Alpine Lumber Supply), $500; and Bonner County Sportsman’s Association, $300.
The goal for this year’s campaign is $50,000 — the same as it has been in past years, but with Christmas in less than two weeks, time is running short.
So, if you can, donate what you can and help the Lions help our children have a merry Christmas.
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.
If you know someone, or need help yourself, the Lions are taking applications for the 2018 Toys for Tots program. Members are at the Lions Den, 609 S. Ella Street in Sandpoint, on Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays, until Monday, Dec. 16 Applications are also available until that date at the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare office, 207 Larkspur St., Ponderay.
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.
Information: Sandpoint Lions Club, 208-263-4118
Caroline Lobsinger can be reached by email at clobsinger@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @CarolDailyBee.