Donations add to 'Tots'

SANDPOINT — It’s hard not to feel inspired by “A Christmas Carol.”

Ebenezer Scrooge appears larger than life — grumpy, bitter and hating just about everything and everyone. Focused on only material things and money, it is never enough and nothing is ever good enough. He has long forgotten the simple joys of love and family, and Scrooge has turned his back on what truly is important in life. All that matter is money; Scrooge no longer look toward the beauty and joy found in love and family, no, he is obsessed with counting every last penny. It is never enough and he becomes more bitter and more miserable as his life winds forward.

The novella by Charles Dickens ­— who knew its full title is “A Christmas Carol in Prose, Being a Ghost-Story of Christmas” — brings the reader into Scrooge’s life as he is at a crossroads — continue down the lonely, bitter road he is on or embrace the joy of Christmas, of family, and the future.

It begins with a visit from his former business partner Jacob Marley, who admonishes him about the path he is on and where it leads and warns that the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come are on their way.

With each visit, Scrooge is forced to examine his life, at the choices he’s made. As the last ghost leaves him, Scrooge realizes what has been in front of him all along — that love, generosity and family are what is truly important.

Since he wrote it in 1842, “A Christmas Carol” has never been out of print, according to Wikipedia, and has been translated into multiple languages. It has been adapted numerous times for film, stage, opera and other media.

According to the online encyclopedia, Dickens wrote “A Christmas Carol” at a time when the British were exploring and re-evaluating past holiday traditions, including carols, and newer customs such as Christmas trees. Not only did his own childhood experiences inspire him, so did the Christmas stories of such writers as Washington Irving and Douglas Jerrold.

But what does this have to do with the Sandpoint Lions’ Toys for Tots drive? Lions members have long recognized the true joy of Christmas, of life, giving back to those around them, as did Scrooge following his visits from the ghosts. They know the spirit of the holiday is found in a young child, awakening on Christmas morning with a long-desired present under the tree — one they never expected to get.

Will you help them?

Today’s donations add up to $3,309, bringing the total donations received so far to $35,548.81.

Generous donations were received from: Melvin and Claudia Dick, $250; Edward and Susan Summerhill, $25; Denise and Michael Wilken, $200; Dave and Barbara Eacret, $50; Rufayne Gail Legget, $100; anonymous, $100; Cecelia and Don Myers, $50; anonymous, $500; Daniel and Debra Butler, $50; Donald and Shirley Moore, $50; William D. and Lola J. Bennett, $100; Maurice and Linda Dunn, $60; Earl R. Oatman Jr., $100; Jacquelyn Knechtges, $200; Steven and Angela Wilkinson, $200; E. Marilla Kemmis, $100; Robert Myers and Elana Westphal, $268; 219 Lounge, $371; and the Bonner County Daily Bee employees, $535.

The goal for this year’s campaign is $50,000 — the same as it has been in past years. Right now, the total sits at $32,239.81 and I know, because this is Sandpoint, because this community is special, that before the new year dawns, the goal will be met.

So, if you can, please donate and help the Lions keep the Christmas spirit alive all year long.

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.