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CAROL LOLLIS

Children at Barbara Moffett's child-care center in Northampton dance to songs the Santa in the corner is singing on Monday morning. The children and center donated money to the Toy Fund this year.

Northampton - Deep in the heart of Florence, along rambling Route 66, a squad of spirited preschoolers has done something most generous and extraordinary.

The happy-go-lucky tots of Glendale Child Care -10 in all - helped raise $155 for the Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund this year. They've done so partly knowing that other, less fortunate children might have a brighter holiday this year. The Toy Fund, in its 75th year, provides certificates to families in need redeemable at participating area stores around the holiday.

Details like that, of course, aren't on the minds of these youngsters.

As 2-year-old Eli Olsen put it enthusiastically this week, "We've got money for Santa Claus!"

Just how did this exuberant and growing band, ages 4 months to 4 years, squirrel away so much loot?

Well, it began with a pink cookie jar in the shape of a teddy bear. Barbara Moffett, director and owner of the home-based child-care center, and her daughter-in-law, Rebecca Moffett, had been using the container to collect their own donations to the drive.

They had labeled it "Gazette Toy Fund," and one day, about 15 months ago, the brightly colored jar caught the eye of 2-year-old Hayden Matrishon.

"She saw me putting money in it, and asked me what it was," Moffett said.

Matrishon was the first to pitch in that year. She snagged loose change from her mother's car and dropped it into the jug, according to child-care center reports.

It wasn't long before her peers joined in, contributing cash every now and then. A few nickels here, a couple of dimes there.

The seasons changed and the children apparently found money everywhere.

One day, Ezekiel Harrison, 3, found currency within or beneath a couch at home. Others, it has been reported, brought in loads of coins from parts unknown.

"It's usually, #We found some money,'" Moffett said of the children's reports.

The children gathered round Moffett one bone-chilling day this week, and the child-care director recounted how the kids in her care have taken to the fund.

"Things have gone so well that I think we'll keep it going," she said, before adding, most understatedly, "They kind of got into it."

The cookie jar was emptied Monday. Its contents were shipped in a heavy bag down Route 66 and dropped on the front desk of the Gazette. Back on Glendale Road, the children have already begun contributing coins for next year's holiday drive, in the same jar, in the same way.

They know the money and the things it will buy are not for them.

Since Santa Claus was on the minds of at least of few, a Gazette reporter posed this question at the close of a mid-morning interview. Just what, with all that money, would the jolly figure do?

Little Aidan Barlow, 3, didn't hesitate to answer. He clasped his hands behind his back and responded smartly: "Bring toys!"

Then, 4-year-old Emilio Harrison, the oldest of the bunch, leaned in and finished Barlow's declaration with a one-two punch.

"To boys and girls!"

TODAY'S DONORS

In loving memory of Jack O'Dea from his family#$50

With thanks for all children#$25

In loving memory of Frank and Kate Driscoll, from their family#$100

In memory of Nana Kate and Grampa Frank, Nana Mary and Grampa Carl, and Uncle Jimmy, Love Katy Rich and Daisy#$50

Anonymous#$50

In the spirit of Christmas from a Friend#$50

From Kathy & Tom Gleason#$50

Anonymous#$50

Given in honor of our friends at Christmas Paul & Judy Carriveau#$50

In loving memory of my husband Jack and my daughter Karen, Lucille Temple#$150

In loving memory of John Kendrew from his family#$50

In loving memory of Bill Lucey, Bob Sharpe and my parents from Alison#$20

In memory of Angelo and Irene Vauchelli grandchildren Nelson John Battey and Calvin Heriz from Lorraine and Wallace Herzig#$25

In memory of John A. Favaro Sr., from Ernestine, Kevin, Nancy, Jack & Susan Favaro#$25

In loving memory of our parents Alice & Bob Boucher and Becky & Clayton Boulanger and our friend Bob Lavalley from Sue & Donn Boulanger#$25

In memory of Margo Barrett, Richard Drury & Peggy Gleason from Ruth B. Drury#$30

Merry Christmas from Briana, Kelsay, Joey Yusko#$20

In memory of Bob Connelly from Chooch and Bucka#$25

In memory of my husband Norman Graves from his wife, Nicole B. Graves#$25

In memory of Patti Londergan, Anonymous#$25

Thankful for our many blessing Vic & Lois Zononi#$50

In memory of B.C. from Claudette & John Jablonski#$200

In loving memory of Norman Quinn Sr., from his family#$25

In loving memory of my parents, Adeline and Thomas Kelleher, from Genny Joyce#$25

In loving memory of Eugene Rup and Lydia Hoynoski from Alfred & Patricia Hoynoski#$100

In loving memory of Ray Edwards and his grandson Nicholas Edwards from Alan & Bev Sanderson#$50

In memory of Katherine Molloy from Mary Lou Bouley#$50

Grateful for our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren from John & Zetta McCormick#$50

From Helen and Jaime#$20

In memory of Kevin Fitzgerald Dunphy from the Dunphy Family#$10

In memory of Albert, Elizabeth, Francis and Roy LaRose, Mary and Robert Britt and Jack FitzGerald from Shirley LaRose#$50

In memory of our great Gramma West who loved Christmas. Love ya, Kara, Colin, Sam & Eli#$50

William E. Norris Cafeteria Staff who love all the children#$50

In memory of our sister, Sally (Packard) Gosselin, from her sisters, Barbara, Norma & Virginia#$10

In loving memory of Donald and Barbara Mulvaney from Steven, Susan and Patrick#$100

Thank you Blessed Mother, St. Jude and St. Anthony from ALMB#$25

In memory of the grandmother we never knew, Erica & Scott#$100

In memory of Al from Phyllis Zukowski#$25

From the office of Dr. Michael J. O'Brien & Staff, Sue, Kelly & Nela#$100

In memory of Alfred, Delia, Donald and Susan Kuzmeski from Mike, Bob, Chris & Jake#$75

Peter and Deborah Christakos#$75

In memory of my brother Jim Powers, Ruth and Robert Lacey#$20

In memory of Ashley, Michael and Jacqueline O'Connell#$50

Bobbe A. O'Brien#$25

Faces#$500

Williamsburg Lions Club#$100

Lisa and Gary Rosenthal#$20

Robert and Julie Rehm#$25

In loving memory of my wife Margaret C. Vitkauskas and my parents from Ernie V.#$50

Because we are so blessed this year. Merry Christmas from the Mientkas, Scotts and Tanguays#$225

Thank you to all my clients for a great 2008! Peggy at Hair Designers#$75

Allan and Barbara Carpenter#$25

In loving memory of Peter & Stella Rogaleski from daughter Elizabeth#$40

In loving memory of deceased family members and friends, from Joyce and Paul#$100

In memory of Big Al & Doris from Charles and Elizabeth Rogers#$50

Previous Total $10,385.32

Today's Total $3,450

Year-To-Date Total $13,835.32