Friday, December 23, 2011

NORTHAMPTON - The Daily Hampshire Gazette's Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund provides certificates to eligible families who can use them to buy holiday gifts at participating stores.

Named after a former business manager at the Gazette, the fund began in 1933 to help families in need during the Depression.

Today, the fund distributes $40 vouchers to families for each child from age 1 to 14.

The following stores are participating this year: A2Z Science and Learning Store, 57 King St., Northampton; Deals & Steals, 76 Pleasant St., Northampton; Faces, 175 Main St., Northampton; F.J. Rogers, 3 Main St., Florence; Peebles Department Store, 2 College Highway, Southampton; JCPenney, 341 Russell St., Hadley; Mountain Goat, 189 Main St., Northampton; Target, Route 9, Hadley; The Toy Box, 201 North Pleasant St., Amherst; and Wilson's Department Store, 258 Main St., Greenfield.

The Gazette, which covers costs associated with the drive, freeing all donations to fund the vouchers, seeks to raise $75,000 to cover the value of the vouchers it expects to distribute. Eligible families must live in any Hampshire County community except Ware, or in the southern Franklin County towns of Deerfield, Sunderland, Whately, Shutesbury and Leverett.

The Berkshire Children and Families agency (formerly Children's Aid and Family Services), located at 220 Russell St., Hadley, processes applications and verifies applicants' eligibility. Most families who receive assistance are referred by social service agencies.

Certificates are redeemable at the stores on the list through Dec. 31. Donations to the Toy Fund may be dropped off at or mailed to the Daily Hampshire Gazette at 115 Conz St. in Northampton, 01060 or Gazette offices at 67 Main St., Easthampton, or 9 East Pleasant St., Amherst. Donations may also be made through Gazettenet at www.gazettenet.com.

Checks should be made payable to the Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund.

Today's donors

In loving memory of Lydia Hoynoski and Eugene (Jim) Rup from Mr. & Mrs. Alfred Hoynoski $200

From the Stroke Support Group, Richard Cook $10, Steven Clark $10, Tim Atteridge $20

In memory of Gloria Weslowski and Francis "Woody" Wood from Patty & Gary $50

From the Delacour Lustgarten family $120

In memory of Jarrod. Love mom, dad, Meggan, Greg, Hailey & Gavin $50

For some children in the Northampton area. Merry Christmas. From Campbell & Kyle Pushkin, Austin, Texas $100

In memory of our parents Henry & Helen Boudo, Ed & Honey Martunes & Eddie Jr. and a special friend, Fran Barbour, Ken & Donna Boudo $50

In loving memory of our dad, Paul Lyons. From Sally, Jack, Jane Anne, Lisa and Mary Frances $500

In memory of John Tenanes from Jinny and Jack $50

From Michael F. Curtin Auxiliary Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 8006 $50

In honor of our mothers Fran and Annie, Dan and Gail Yacuzzo $100

Henry Betsold Memorial Pitch League Post 344 American Legion. From all the pitch players and in memory of Uncle Heinie Betsold $100

In loving memory of Scott St. Martin, B.F.F. Di, Mo, Pat, Lona, Elaine $50

In loving memory of Barbara Griswold. You are missed. Love Deb and Briana Matuszko $25

In loving memory of our daughter Lisa. We miss you very much. Love Mom & Dad $100

From the Eight Dining Divas $140

In memory of Patti & Jack Samolewicz, Happy Holidays - Scott & Aileen $50

Dan Rogers $50

In loving memory of Mary Stathis, whose affection, cheerful nature and contagious laugh are deeply missed by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren $25

In memory of Erica, Cynthia and Gene, From Dr. Kay Saakvitne $25

In loving memory of Alan Littendry from his friends and family $100

Open House event at Curves of Northampton $619

Christmas Club #2 Easthampton $100

With appreciation for all the wonderful staff at Lathrop Home, South Street, Northampton, From Leah and Pauline $50

In honor of our friend Kay Sheehan from Bev & Tom $50

In memory of two dear friends Ed & Joe from Dick $20

From Rowdy, Mugsy, Mac and Bruiser $35

From the Sharp Family $40

In memory of Estelle, Harold, Irwin and Alma, from Clifford and Judith Fonsh $40

In memory of Roman and Hamid and in celebration of Priya, anonymous $50

In loving memory of Barbara Hagelstein, a wonderful mother, mother-in-law, and gramma from Eric, Susan, Jake and Michael $100

With love for our great nieces and nephews who are all grown up and have lives of their own. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. From your great aunt & great uncle $50

Happy Holidays to all. Richie and Judy Burrows $100

In loving memory of Gary Bachand who loved children, from Andrea & Amy $25

With gratitude & love for our grandchildren Jason & Amanda, Ryan, Shaunna, Madison, Adam, Sofia Lizek. Love Babci & Dziadek $50

From Judianne and William O'Brien $25

In loving memory of our Auntie Annie from Kaitlin and Nick $50

In loving memory of Stanley, Roberta & Steve Soliwoda from Phil, Chris, Sarah & Rachel Laprade $30

So children may have a Merry Christmas. From all the dietary staff at Linda Manor $50

In memory of Helen E. Judd and Edgar R. Judd from Ned, Carol and Laura $100

From the Trueharts $100

In loving memory of my parents, Thelma and Francis Josephson - Lori Szepelak $20

In memory of Mom and Dad, love from Tom and Patti $25

In memory of my husband John Tenanes from Jean $50

In loving memory of Polly Harter from the Bears of Williamsburg $25

From Elizabeth R. and Mark O. Jamieson $20

In memory of James E. Sullivan (1959-2011) from Margaret Jessup $25

From Richard M. Green $50

Thank you St. Jude, S.P. $20

In loving memory of our Great Grandpa and Nana Chabot. From Trevar, Garret, Taylor & Justin $100

Thank you Blessed Mother and Saints Ann, Jude, Anthony & Francis from MRB $25

In memory of our neighbors Percy and Marilyn Culver from Donna and Corky $20

In memory of Peg Brown from Donna and Corky $20

From Smith Academy Student Activites NHS, $175

In memory of our mother Dorothy Custeau from Cynthia, Nancy and Carrie $300

From the Northampton Skateboarders $20

From Mike $10

In memory of Elinor from Rebecca Schiffrin $20

In memory of Margaret Gunn from the Casagrande family $50

In loving memory of Jack & Lynn Fortier, Bob Latham, Mary Fortier, Elizabeth Jones from Jack & Shellie $500

In loving memory of Gordon D. LaFleur, Love, Dale, Kurt, Henry and Ada $25

Merry Christmas from Joe and Ben Pion $25

In honor of Karl and Joan Ahlstrand. From Jean, John and Amanda $50

In memory of Betty Badgett from Lee Badgett $50

In honor of our parents Bob and Bunny Elliott. We love you very much Mom and Dad we miss you every day. From Candy and Sharon $50

To make some smiles possible. From all the Hoyt kids, in the valley and beyond $100

Peace, love and joy to all, from Pamela Plumer $25

In honor of my Cooley Dickinson Leadership Team colleagues from Dianne M. Cutillo $100

From Gary Mongeon $25

For all the children, from Richard Norris $50

Anonymous $300

Remembering Grammy and Grampa with love Jodi and Kimi $100