By Ben Olson
Reader Staff
The Sandpoint Lions Club kicked off its annual Toys for Tots fundraiser drive Nov. 15 with a spaghetti dinner fundraiser hosted by the Sandpoint Elks Club.
Next on the Lions’ fundraising agenda: Turkey Bingo. This annual event will take place over two days, from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 21 and two sessions from noon-2 p.m. and 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22 at the Elks Golf Club (30196 Hwy. 200, in Ponderay).
The Elks kitchen and bar will be open during Turkey Bingo.
Bingo cards are available in packs of 10 for $10, and turkeys will be given away to the winners of the fifth and tenth games of each session.
“We also have some really amazing raffle prizes,” Sandpoint Lions Club President Janice Rader told the Reader. “We have a gift basket from Schweitzer, some really nice ride-on toys for kids and a gorgeous quilt from the Cedar Hills Church ladies.”
The Lions have set a goal to raise $75,000 to fund Toys for Tots, and all proceeds from Turkey Bingo will go toward the effort. Toys for Tots is a beloved event, in which Lions members take toy orders from area children and fulfill their dreams with special deliveries.
“We’re filling orders as fast as we can with what the community donates,” Rader said. The last toy delivery will be made Dec. 13, but donations are accepted for Toys for Tots year round.
“We also have a giving tree at Serv-A-Burger,” Rader said. “They’ve been amazing at helping us get donations this year. We also have a toy competition, so if your business wants to compete, we’ll put you in the paper with a list of all participating merchants.”
Rader said the Lions Club is keen to recruit new members to help tackle community-enriching programs.
“We’re also looking to start a beer garden on the Fourth of July at City Beach, because we need help funding these programs,” Rader said.
To learn more about the Lions Club, visit sandpointlions.wixsite.com/website. To donate, send checks to: Sandpoint Lions Club, P.O. Box 414, Sandpoint, ID 83864.
