Tuesday, December 8, 2009

AMHERST - A pull to connect with the memory of loved ones who have died is part of many a donation to the Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund, whether the contribution is a long-standing family tradition, or a first-time gift.

Susan Rejniak of Southampton, whose family this year contributed $75 to the fund, has been making donations for more than 20 years.

"This is the true meaning of Christmas," Rejniak said. The Gazette-sponsored fund gives certificates redeemable at participating area stores to eligible families around the holiday season.

Employed at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Leeds, Rejniak said her family's donations started more than 20 years ago when she gave in memory of her son's two great-grandmothers, Bella Bartos of Hatfield and Susan Zima of North Hatfield.

Since then, Rejniak has added gifts in memory of her mother, Millie Malczynski, who died in 2004, and her parents-in-law, Jeannette and Stanley Rejniak.

Enclosed with her check was a handwritten note reading, "We miss you all every day! Love, Sue, John & Michael."

"It's a way to remember them," Rejniak said. "They were all giving folks. They all loved children."

The $25 donation for the "great grandmas" comes directly from her son, Michael, who is now 27. "All my love, Michael," reads his gift to the fund, begun more than seven decades ago by a former Gazette business manager during the Great Depression.

Rejniak's father, who has lived at the Soldiers Home in Holyoke for five years, joined Rejniak in making a donation this year. His contribution reads, "In memory of my dear wife Millie Malczynski. All my love, #Red' Joseph Malczynski."

"It's a great cause," Rejniak said. "Christmas should be for the kids, and giving."

Unlike the Rejniaks, David Storey of Hadley made a donation to the Toy Fund for the first time this year, five months after losing his wife, Barbara, to the cancer she had battled for more than two years.

"This is the first time I've given to the Toy Fund, and it seemed appropriate to mention her name when I did it," Storey said.

A full-time wife, mother to three and grandmother to seven, family was important to Barbara, Storey said.

"Being a wife, mother and grandmother was her job," said Storey, a retired professor at the University of Massachusetts. "She did it very well."

She never forgot any occasions or celebrations in the family, Storey said, always making sure to call her children and grandchildren on their birthdays and sing "Happy Birthday" to them.

Storey said he is donating in his late wife's memory to several other charities this holiday season, especially those aimed at improving the lives of young people, including Boys Town, The Home for Little Wanderers, and the Jimmy Fund.

For more details on how to donate, see the information box printed with the continuation of this story.

Today's donors

Leigh M. Bailey, Joel S. Spiro: $15

In memory of my beloved sister, Elizabeth Gorman-Prunty from Ronald Ackerman, Cleo A. Gorman: $36

Steve Berlin & Valerie Lavender: $50

In memory of Isabelle from Nana, Cheryl B. Wilson: $35

Joey Ocicki 53 is too young to die, rest in peace from Ray & Kay Misterka: $50

In memory of Marilyn Stanley from her Brian: $25

In loving memory of Jim McDonald and the deceased McGill family from Betty: $25

Julia Saner: $25

Anonymous: $35

In memory of my Gazette friends: Milt Cole, Kathy Hurley, Jack Perry, Dave "Quad" Quadrozzi, Jan Newton and Bud Messier from Susan Adelson: $10

In memory of Joe Maiewski from Kathy, Mikey & Missie Maie: $100

In memory of Homer R. Dushane from wife Jane: $25

In memory of Joe Dembeck from sister Jane Dushane: $25

In honor of Gail Poulin from the faculty & staff of the W.E. Norris Elem. School from Diane H. Scott: $25

In loving memory of the McGrath and Giuffre families from Anis McGrath: $25

S.J. & B.L. Wolfson: $20

In loving memory of our son Glenn, our parents Walter & Elizabeth Szewczyk, William & Mary Bergeron, We love & miss you so much, Stan & Connie Szewczyk: $50

In memory of Edward S. Kowalski from Marjorie S. Kowalski: $50

In honor of Kay Sheehan from Janet & Charles Hemminger: $25

Merry Christmas to all from P.L.B.: $25

In loving memory of Anna Dragon and Diane Layman from Mary Anne & Richard E. Dragon: $25

Merry Christmas from Randy, Martha, Emily & Jenna Izer: $100

In loving memory of our mothers, Ellie Mandeville, Helen Galenski who are dearly loved and sadly missed, Bonnie & Gotch Galenski: $50

In memory of my husband John Wiater from wife Alice Wiater: $30

Elinor T. Adamowicz: $50

In loving memory of my husband John and my daughter Karen from Lucille Temple: $100

George R. Bowers: $200

In loving memory of my parents, Rita and Russ Johnson, from Barbara Kuschka: $50

Marilyn M. Power-Trustee: $50

In memory of Florence Downing from her family Robert L. and Linda E. Downing: $35

In appreciation for our three wonderful grandchildren from Carolyn & Don O'Brien: $50

In loving memory of my daughter Tammy J. Patryn from Linda J. Struthers: $40

In beloved memory of my husband Charles Lococo from Judith F. Lococo: $25

In honor of the floating tree & Russ Myette from Joseph Silverman, Karen Beyel: $25

In memory of Eleanor Mandeville who we love and miss so much, Lori, Bob, Katie & Kelly: $50

Emily Troiano: $20

For Isaac & Isabelle from Seth Kupferschmid: $25

For the memory of the wonderful Christmases our family has enjoyed & to share with joy with others, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Williams: $50

Liz O'Dair: $50

Thank you St. Jude for favors granted. Publication promised. LS: $5

Previous total: $5,014

Today's total: $1,706

Year to date: $6,720