Easthampton man gives annually to toy fund, honoring late dog's memory

By AMANDA DRANE

@amandadrane

Published: 12-08-2016 12:46 AM

EASTHAMPTON — Bill Hobbie said the unconditional love canines offer is worth emulating.

That’s why each year for the past five years he’s given to the Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund “in loving memory” of his late dog, Ozzie.

“He brought so much joy and happiness into my life,” Hobbie said of the boisterous boxer that passed away about seven years ago. “If I can give something to a child in need in his memory it helps me perpetuate his life and his impact on me.”

Speaking about Ozzie and his loving spirit fills Hobbie with emotion.

“They ask so little in return and they give so much,” he said of canine companions. “Honestly, it brings a tear to my eye just talking about it.”

Hobbie, of Easthampton, said we can all learn from that way of life, especially this time of year.

“That’s the real spirit of the season,” he said.

Hobbie said he and his wife adopted their son, Sasha, from Russia 14 years ago. From the minute he came home Ozzie was a welcoming friend.

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“He would always give him a hug in the morning before he went to school and cuddled with him on the couch,” Hobbie said.

He said he has long felt a pull to help children in need, which is why they chose to adopt a child out of a high-need area of Russia.

“I just feel personally so blessed with all the abundance that I have, and there’s such great need out there,” he said. “I feel like it’s my duty.”

It’s what Ozzie would do if he could, he said.

“It just brings me to the core meaning of the celebration of Christmas,” he said of giving a $30 gift to the Toy Fund in Ozzie’s memory.

The Daily Hampshire Gazette’s Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund provides certificates redeemable at participating local retailers to eligible families who can use them to buy holiday gifts at participating stores through Dec. 31, 2016.

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 vouchers to families for each child from age 1 to 14. 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.

Berkshire Children and Families at 220 Russell St. in Hadley, verifies families’ eligibility and the Gazette covers costs associated with the drive, freeing all donations to fund the vouchers. Most families who receive assistance are referred by social service agencies.

The following stores are participating this year: A2Z Science and Learning Store, 57 King St., Northampton; Deals & Steals, One Pearl St., Northampton; JCPenney, 341 Russell St., Hadley; The Toy Box, 201 N. Pleasant St., Amherst; Wilson’s Dept. Store, 258 Main St., Greenfield; Sam’s Outdoor Outfitters, 227 Russell St., Hadley; and Target, 367 Russell St., Hadley.

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 made through Gazettenet at toyfund.gazettenet.com.

Amanda Drane can be contacted at adrane@gazettenet.com.

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