Community's 'elves' add to drive
SANDPOINT — No disrespect but elves sitting on shelves have nothing on Mortimer.
A constant presence in our home, Mortimer, an elf from the North Pole, was assigned to our family by ol’ St. Nick himself to watch over us to make sure the six of us behaved. Able to cloak himself in invisibility, hear plots of misdeeds from across the known universe and able to keep track of each and every one of us. It’s no wonder, then, that more often than not and before the sounds of “Mooooo-ooooom” or “Daaaaaa-aaaaaad” could vanish from the airwaves, that the word “Mortimer” would snap us back to good behavior.
Well, most of the time.
Mortimer made frequent reports to Santa, letting him know whether we were eating our vegetables, getting along with our siblings, doing our homework, and more. There seemed to be little that Mortimer didn’t tell his boss at the North Pole. And the reports didn’t happen just at Christmastime. It was year-round — Mortimer was on permanent loan to the Lobsinger household and we wore that poor elf ragged, I am sure.
Come to think of it, since this before smartphones, Facebook and social media, Mortimer must have had the ability to transport himself to and from the North Pole in the blink of an eye. He never seemed to miss a trick or be out of our house when he was needed — which was often (see the above and aforementioned, six kids.)
Come to think of it, it’s any wonder that Mortimer had any time to himself, much less eat, sleep or hang with his fellow elves. I’m sure we kept him busy — at least my siblings did. I was a perfect angel. (That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Ignore my siblings if they try to bring up the time I opened up ALL of the Christmas presents. I was 3 years old and we had two trees. Besides, Santa sent a list to my parents of what he dropped off so everyone got what he’d left for them. No harm, no foul.)
I still think about Mortimer and wonder how he’s enjoying his retirement or if Santa assigned him to another family — hopefully one with fewer children who give him a few moments of peace and relaxation.
Also in the business of helping Santa get presents to boys and girls are the Sandpoint Lions Club, who are in the midst of their annual Toys For Tots campaign.
Today’s donations adds up to $2,162.06 thanks to the annual A&P’s Toys for Tots auction, bringing the total so far this year to $32,239.81.
The goal for this year’s campaign is $50,000 — the same as it has been in past years.
Generous donations were received from all of the amazing and generous people who donated to or gave an item to be auctioned and those who bid on the items. In addition to an amazing amount of money, the auction also brought in “a ton of toys,” according to Lions Club members.
Because Christmas came early this year, we’re going to continue the Toys for Tot stories through New Year’s Eve. 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.
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.