Friday, December 18, 2009

NORTHAMPTON - In the years Gazette staffer Nancy Rhoades has accepted walk-in donations for the Sidney S. Smith Toy Fund, she has alerted the news staff to more than a few good stories.

So when two young boys - sans parent - appeared in front of her last week with $38 for the fund, money they said they had earned doing chores around their house, Rhoades saw a tale in the making. She first fetched a reporter and then the boys' mother, who was waiting for them in the car just outside the Gazette's entrance.

The boys were 11-year-old Charley and 7-year-old Alex Western of Ladyslipper Lane in Northampton. Turned out they were happy to talk about their contribution to the Toy Fund, which distributes certificates redeemable at participating area retailers to families in need around the holidays.

"We put in some of our allowance," said Charley. He explained that he and his brother receive their allowance each week for doing daily chores, like emptying the wastebaskets, setting the table and taking the family's golden retriever, Lucy, who lost a leg to cancer this year, on her daily walk.

He said his parents, Jennifer Urff and Jon Western, set their weekly allowance amount according to their ages: Charley gets $11 and Alex, $7.

"We're kind of lucky to get that much," chimed in Alex. "We don't do that much."

Asked why he thinks they are asked to do household chores, Charley had a ready answer: "So Mom doesn't have to do them."

He went on to explain that the money they earn usually goes into their savings account.

The pair decided to use some of their allowance for the Toy Fund after their mother told them about it. Begun during the Great Depression of the 1930s, the Toy Fund helps families buy holiday presents for children, and the Western boys like that idea.

"Since Mom told us about it, we thought it would be a great way to help people," said Charley. "We thought people could use it more than we could."

"We have plenty of toys," added Alex. "Some kids don't have any."

Urff said she and her husband sat down with their sons and talked about the meaning of Christmas and the holiday spirit of giving, along the way telling them about the Toy Fund.

"We talked about how all kids don't have the opportunities they do," she said. Urff and her husband, though, left it up to their sons to decide if they wanted to do anything about that.

"It was really important to us that this be their decision," she said.

The boys decided to pool together the money they would both receive for allowance over two weeks, $36. A little extra change brought the amount to $38. Their donation came with this message: "For the toy fund and to make kids happy, Alex & Charley Western.

Urff said her sons get along really well, although like all brothers they squabble at times. The brothers attend the Smith College Campus School, where Charley is in the sixth grade and Alex in second grade.

"They're clearly each other's best friends. They support each other. It's great for parents when that happens.

"It makes me feel good that they understand that we are blessed," said Urff, "and that they wanted to share their blessings with others."

Today's donors

In loving memory of Marc Zalesky passed away 28 Christmases ago and Mark Robichaud this past October. From Mom & Dad#$28

Merry Christmas to other kids, from Joe & Ben Pion#$40

In memory of Big Steve, Grandma Schmidt, Grandma and Grandpa Avery, Gran & Pappy, who all loved Christmas and children. We love and miss you, Dicky, Patty and Rich#$25

Anonymous#$100

From the Cooley Dickinson Childbirth Center 3-11 nurses#$80

In memory of Tom Galko, from Norma Galko#$30

In loving memory of my parents, Vic and Joan Fusia, from Carol Campbell#$50

In loving memory of G.G. Griffin, Nanny Muscaro and Andrew John Muscaro, Love Mikey#$20

In loving memory of my wife Dorothy and son Bruce. I love and miss you more every day, from Dennis Lafreniere#$25

In memory of Mark Harrington#$100

In memory of Polly Harter, from The Bears of Williamsburg#$25

In loving memory of my mom, Dorothy Lafreniere and my brother Bruce Lafreniere. Miss and love you, from Judy and Richard Wanczyk#$25

Happy Holidays from the Employees of Stevens Urethane#$125

From David & Mary Dunn#$50

From Robert Carey & June Price#$350

From Isabel & David Baker#$50

In loving memory of our brother Michael Patrick Sullivan, from his sisters Katie and Bridie#$100

In memory of the grandmother we never knew, Erica & Scott#$125

In loving memory of my pal John Hart, Love Butterscotch#$25

In memory of Jerome Newmann, from Burleigh Muten#$25

In loving memory of Bill, from Jan Esselen#$50

In memory of our parents, John & Mabel Grant and Joseph Baldwin, from Libby & Gary Baldwin#$100

In memory of "Uncle Woody" & "Uncle Jud," from Jeff and Bev#$35

In loving memory of Joyce, from Joan and Eugene Briere#$200

In memory of Francis Meehan, who died 5/12/99, and his daughter Christina Meehan Willard, who died 12/7/04, after 45 years of struggling with diabetes, from her brother, also a diabetic of 50 years, and her mother, Peg & Michael Meehan#$50

In memory of J.J. Dushane from Laurie, Jamie and Craig Connor#$25

In memory of Mom and Dad and Bob, from Kathy & Tom Gleason#$75

Anonymous#$100

In loving memory of my sister Sally (Packard) Gosselin and my friend Julie Allen, from Barbara Packard #$10

In loving memory of our dear daughter Lisa Leon Szawlowski and my loving sister Susan Szawlowski, Frank and Nancy Szalowski#$100

For the children, Karen Lee Shelley Ph.D.#$50

In honor of Hunter and Skylar, two of God's most precious gifts, Love Grammy and PopPops#$100

We remember Alan Hendry with love in the 25th anniversary year of his death, love from his family and friends#$125

In loving memory of Peter & Steve, from Esther & Nina. Still miss you#$50

In memory of our parents from Manuel and Carolyn Gross#$50

In memory of Stanley Kosloski Jr., from his parent. In memory of Mathew Kosloski, from grandparents#$20

In loving memory of Joseph and Julia Koziol, from daughter Lorraine, John and family#$50

In loving memory of John G. Kieras Sr., from son John, Lorraine and family#$50

From Pauline Lannon#$40

From James Laurila, Yuehlin Lee#$100

From Paul & Joanne Jaszek#$20

In memory of Elaine Weaver my wife and best from, from Jack Weaver#$100

In loving memory of B.J. from the Silver Fox#$25

From J.M. Plaut#$50

In loving memory Jonathan Szych, from Mom, Sarah, Lexi & Mia#$50

From John & Clara Chapman#$20

Merry Christmas from MaryAnn & Joe, from MaryAnn Kowal#$25

In memory of Joe Maiewski, from Dolores & Richard Zimnowski#$25

In loving memory of my parents, Sophie & Eddie, and pets, Bijou and Kitty, from Sandy#$40

In loving memory of Anna Sanders#$20

In memory of Dotty Kocot, who loved Christmas and children from her friend & neighbor, Tess Collins#$20

In memory of my wife's father, Dr. Charles Branch, and our good friends Fred Knittle and Russ Myette, all of whom passed away this past year. From Tom & Charonne Masters#$50

In memory of Nanny & Grandpie O'Dea & Mimi & Pop-Pop Handschuh. Much love. All their grandchildren & great grandchildren#$25

For the children - Happy Holidays! Donna & "Corky"#$50

In memory of our grandmothers, Phyllis & Virginia, from the Reis Family#$50

Donated by VFW Post #8006 Womens' Pitch League#$25

In memory of my beloved niece Julie, from Aunt Jayma#$25

From Michael J. Kane#$100

In memory of Merion, from A. Lawrence Payne#$50

In honor of my sister, Maureen, Uncle Ken and Spencer & Chase O'Brien-Steele. Merry Christmas from Dennis & Kathryn Gawle#$100

In memory of Ernie, Evan, Jim, Paul, Fred and Russ from the Romeos#$40

In memory of Steve Stevens, from Burke-Whitaker and employees#$385

Merry Christmas from Keely, Bryna, Olivia, Casey and Tucker#$100

Merry Christmas from our nieces and nephews: Jordan and Connor Higgins, Mollie Higgins, Peter Higgins, Jessica Schmidt, Henry Higgins, Liam and Marlene Higgins#$160

In honor of Kevin C. Netto & all of our other military sons & daughters who are helping to defend our country, and to our father Frank M. Netto, a Navy vet who passed away this year. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year, Kevin & Chiqui Netto#$100

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone on your staff for providing such a wonderful service to our community, from PFC Kevin C. Netto Jr.#$100

In memory of my dear and dearly missed Mom & Dad. With very few financial resources they always managed to make Christmas Merry for us kids, Vickie Hart#$25

Anonymous#$25

In memory of Timothy and Agnes M. O'Connor Sr., from Brian & Karen O'Connor#$100

From Dorothy N. Swanson#$80

In loving memory of Irene Parker, from Charlotte & Dick Roberge#$25

In honor of all of those who make it possible for children to smile, from Patricia Stamm#$200

In loving memory of Grampy and Grammy, Larry and Jeanne Kennedy, from Zak & Lauren#$40

From the Potluck Pals Dinner Group, Paula, Donna, Sue, John and Barbara#$50

A Merry Christmas from Elizabeth & Mark Jamieson#$25

In loving memory of Dr. Sydna Budnick, on behalf of the staff and providers of WomanCare/Northampton OB-GYN#$330

Anonymous#$50

In memory of all my loved ones who are no longer with us, Mom, Dad, Ed, Bill & Bob, from Nancy Scott#$50

Merry Christmas and God Bless from Richard & Pat LeBeau#$20

Anonymous#$25

From Max Olander#$12

Merry Christmas 6th grade "upstairs" team at Michael E. Smith Middle School, from Hannah M#$25

In honor of our friends at Amherst Regional High School, from Mary and Robbin#$25

In memory of Paul and Shirley Melcher, from Kathy Goos#$50

To the teachers and staff of the Westhampton Elementary School, Thank you Kyle & Haley Marek#$40

Dedicated to the memory of John Bray who cared deeply about children, from Kathleen Smith#$25

Merry Christmas to the children from Ben, Max, Georgia, Abbey and Quinn Shumway#$50

In loving memory of Dot and Bill Tannatt. You are in the thoughts and prayers of your family this Christmas season, from Bill Tannatt#$400

From Peter & Nathalie Root#$50

In memory of my beloved parents Valerie and Arthur LaPalme, from Sarajane Kostek#$25

In loving memory of Grammy and Grampa, Love Jodi and Kimi#$100

From Robin Fordham#$20

In loving memory of Johnny Beetle, whose time with toys was too short, from Janice Beetle#$25

In loving memory of Edward Godleski, a caring father, husband and teacher#$25

Anonymous#$25

In loving memory of F. Austin Miller, from his family#$100

Merry Christmas to all kids, from Cece, Levi & Tanner#$60

In memory of our grandson TJ who would have been five this Christmas, Patricia and Don Polonis#$100

Previous Total#$32,708.25

Today's Total#$6,707.00

Year-To-Date Total#$39,415.25