Help 'Tots' bring Christmas cheer
Driving around Nottinghamshire and Maidstone area in England, Liam Wildish is easy to spot.
It might be the bright blue jacket. Or maybe it's the cheery red cap. Or maybe it's the 25-year-old's friendly wave as drivers pass him as he's hard at work.
Normally a window washer, Wildish wanted to thank the community for supporting his fledgling business. At first he wasn't sure of the best way to show his appreciation for the referrals and positive reviews that helped him grow his business.
Then, while driving to a job, Wildish noticed how dirty and caked with mud, dirt and algae some road signs were. The grimy signs, many of which were near schools and where elderly lived, were difficult to read, the young entrepreneur told the Daily Mail.
Wildish decided to do something about it. He grabbed his equipment and got to work. First one sign, and then another. Since February, he told the British newspaper he estimates that he's cleaned up at least 80 signs — some of which were so filthy that they were almost impossible to read.
After cleaning the signs, Wildish looks around and picks up any nearby trash and litter.
He posted a few videos of his efforts to show the before and after of how the signs look. One of the videos has been seen by more than 5 million people after it was posted on Facebook.
"It definitely makes a big difference to the safety of motorists around the town as the signs are much easier to read once the dirt is scraped off," Wildish told the Daily Mail. "I've tried to target the dirtiest signs, but also those near residential areas and schools. It's nice to drive past a sign knowing that I've cleaned it."
Like Wildish, the Sandpoint Lions Club also wants to make a difference in their community. However, in the Lions' case, it's about make Christmas bright and merry instead of road signs.
Today's generous donations total $400 and were received from: Barbara A. And Robert E. Earley, $25; Jack R. and Janice S. DeBaun, $200; anonymous, $75; and Norma J. Benda, $100.
The donations bring the amount received to date to $8,500.
Each year, the Sandpoint Lions set a $50,000 goal — the same as it has been in past years — to buy Christmas gifts for children living in the Lake Pend Oreille School District, from Sandpoint to Clark Fork and all points between.
The Lions make the most of the money by shopping bargains, and with the assistance of generous local businesses.
If you know someone, or need help yourself, the Lions are taking applications for the Toys for Tots program. Applications are available at Bonner Community Food Bank and on the door of the Lions Den.
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; the Ponderay Starbucks, and the Ponderay Mountain West Bank.
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