Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund: Donors pitch in $53K for gifts

Sidney F. Smith, ca. 1962.
Published: 01-06-2025 3:26 PM |
NORTHAMPTON — The Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund brought in a total of $52,923 in 2024, its 92nd year, falling short of its $60,000 goal.
Gazette Publisher Shawn Palmer thanks those who contributed to this year’s annual drive, which raises money toward children’s Christmas gifts for those aged 1-14, and he found the testimonies of donors highlighted in the paper throughout the season to be a source of holiday inspiration.
“Reading the stories in the Gazette to learn the heartfelt meaning behind so many donations was inspiring and demonstrated the beauty of this wonderful charity. Not only does it help local children have a better holiday season, it clearly helps the donors keep special memories alive,” Palmer said.
Stories like the Fisher family, who made contributions to honor the hard work of educators — or five graduates of the Northampton High School Class of 1967 who have pooled money together for the fund for the past five Christmases as an alternative to their former tradition of giving to each other around the holidays.
Some give to the fund to honor the memory of those they love. Moms like Susan Kohler-Gray, whose son’s struggle with cancer took him at 29. She donates in his memory based on his childhood love for the fund. There was also a Hadley resident who gave for his late dog Anya, a Labrador retriever, who was his loyal “companion” for 15 years, as well as Jim Burke of Burke Chevrolet, who made his first contribution to honor a late bookkeeper 30 years ago — a tradition still retained by his son all these years later.
Named after a former business manager at the Gazette, the Toy Fund began in 1933 to help families in need during the Depression. This year, the fund announced that it had raised its vouchers by $15, which had given parents $65 toward Christmas gifts per child after last year’s efforts by the fund garnered approximately $58,000.
“I’m so grateful that the Toy Fund exists, and I’m honored that the Gazette continues to administer it, more than 90 years after its founding,” Palmer said.
To be eligible for the Toy Fund, families must live in any Hampshire County community except Ware, or in the southern Franklin County towns of Deerfield, Sunderland, Whately, Shutesbury and Leverett, and in Holyoke in Hampden County.
Samuel Gelinas can be reached at sgelinas@gazettenet.com.Article continues after...
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