'Tots' drive continues to climb
One of Britain's last surviving D-Day heroes, Harry Billinge recently paid tribute to friends who fell at Gold Beach in the 1944 landings.
His "last duty" meant Harry traveling to France in support of a tribute recording of the names of all 22,442 service members who died under British command on D-Day and the Battle of Normandy, according to the Good News Network website.
Harry, who served with the 59th Independent Squadron of the Royal Engineers, was among the first wave of the soldiers to land at Gold Beach. He was 18.
Taking part in the tribute was his "last duty" to his fallen comrades. Harry, who raised more than $67,000 toward construction of the memorial, said seeing their names carved in stone was incredibly moving.
The memorial, which cost almost $40 million, was funded by the British government and by
And yet, after the tribute, Harry didn't head to his St. Austell home in Cornwall and enjoy a well-earned rest. Instead, he went back to collecting donations — this time to help maintain and build an education center at the memorial, the website reports.
GNN reports that Harry has spent the past 68 years raising money for military charities. Little has changed, he told media in Britain, other than that, with his recent celebrity, more people are stopping by his spot at his local market to donate.
The veteran has collected for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal for 64 years. However, the former chair of the Cornwall branch of the Normandy Veterans Association turned his support to The Normandy Memorial Trust in 2018.
He told reporters that it was hard to put into words how he felt about being able to attend the memorial's dedication.
"I don’t think I could give you words to it, about how I felt," said Harry, according to the website. “It was very, very moving for me, and it still moves me now. I had a wonderful time because everyone there knows me now in Normandy.”
The veteran is modest about his contributions, saying he has simply done his part to honor those who served alongside him.
Like Harry, the Lions aren't looking for recognition. All of the work, all of the effort, is all about making Christmas merry and bright for all of the community's children.
Today's generous donations add up to $3,160 and come from: George and Barbara Gauzza, $100; Jay and Marcia Johnson, $100; Nancy and Thomas Renk, $75; Thomas and Jacinda Bokowy in memory of Brian Casey, $500; Stephane Tully and Ryan Hanson, $100; Charles and Tracy Tigert, $100; Randall and Darcy McDougall, $1,000; and a total of $1,185 in anonymous donations.
To date, the annual Christmas drive has raised $12,183 of the Sandpoint Lion's goal of $50,000 for this year’s Toys for Tots campaign — the same as it has been in past years. The Lions make the most of the money by bargain shopping, and with the assistance of generous local businesses.
Sign-up applications are available at the Bonner Community Food Bank and on the door of the Lions Den at 609 S. Ella Avenue right by the caboose in Lakeview Park. They can also be downloaded at bit.ly/3x7md4o.
Registration started Nov. 1 and ends on Dec. 17. Those filling out the application are reminded to be sure to fill out both pages and return your application promptly.
As last year, the application form includes information for parents to detail a wish list for each of their children as well as their favorite color and TV show or movie. This allows the Lions to fulfill as many wishes as they can.
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 Sandpoint branch, 414 Church St., or at the Ponderay branch, 300 Bonner Mall Way; and at the Ponderay and Sandpoint Starbucks.
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