Gazette’s toy fund has record year of giving
Sidney F. Smith, ca. 1962. GAZETTE FILE PHOTO
Modified: 12/31/2020 10:24:25 AM
NORTHAMPTON – Amidst a global pandemic and economic hardship, Valley residents reached into their pockets and donated a record amount of money to the Gazette’s Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund this holiday season.
“It’s just a testament to the character of this region,” said Publisher Michael Moses, adding that he’s “always pleasantly surprised at the generosity of this community.”
As of this week, $80,731 has been raised for the fund this year. Pat Maleno, business manager for the Gazette and Greenfield Recorder, said the figure represents the largest outpouring of financial support for families that she has ever seen. Maleno has managed the toy fund since 2009.
Westhampton woman honors late husband, Alex Trebek with toy fund donations
Alex Trebek, the longtime host of “Jeopardy!” who died last month, gestures during an appearance at the Daytime Emmy Awards in Pasadena, California in May 2019. AP PHOTO
Alex Trebek, the longtime host of “Jeopardy!” who died last month, admires his newly minted star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame in 1999. AP PHOTO
Charlotte and Kenneth Wood pictured in 2016, when the Westhampton couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. GAZETTE FILE PHOTO
Published: 12/24/2020 9:58:14 AM
Charlotte Wood has been a watching “Jeopardy!” for years, and doing that long ago made her an enduring fan of the show’s popular host, the late Alex Trebek, who before succumbing to complications from pancreatic cancer in November had presided over the TV quiz game for some 37 years.
Toy Fund donation honors late business associate, friend
Sidney F. Smith, ca. 1962. Detail from a Daily Hampshire Gazette page one story on Monday, Oct. 22, 1962, headlined Sidney F. Smith Resigns His Post On Commission . (i.e. Northampton License Commission).Story also notes that Mr. Smith is assistant treasurer of H.S. Gere & Sons, Inc., which publishes the Gazette.
Published: 12/23/2020 2:12:09 PM
NORTHAMPTON After longtime city resident Marie Aquadro died in November, owners and staff at M.J. Moran Inc. mechanical contractors made sure to honor her memory with a contribution to the Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund.
“She was a super, super lady,” says Jim Moran, who co-owns the Haydenville company with his sons Chad and Kyle. “She has been a great friend to us.”
Woman’s Club carries on with toy fund tradition
Sidney F. Smith, ca. 1962 GAZETTE FILE PHOTO
Published: 12/21/2020 1:49:17 PM
SOUTHAMPTON For almost three decades, the Southampton Woman’s Club has made an annual donation to the Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund.
“I’ve been a member of the Woman’s Club for 28 years, and I think we’ve done it every year,” said Sue Kozub, a member of the club’s board of directors. “It’s right in the budget.”
The Southampton Woman’s Club, founded in 1917 as the Home Economics Club, engages in various charities and acts of service, including annual scholarships for Southampton students.
Amherst boy, 11, donates birthday money to toy fund
Oscar Reich, 11, of Amherst CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Published: 12/16/2020 12:35:57 PM
Oscar Reich loves Christmas. The 11-year-old from Amherst loves the holiday season and he loves presents.
He recognizes that not everyone is as lucky as he is to get presents. So he did something about it.
Oscar donated $30 to the Sydney F. Smith Toy Fund in early December after reading about it in the Daily Hampshire Gazette. He said he felt compelled.
“I wanted some other people to have the joy of getting presents,” Reich said. “I felt proud. I also felt happy for those other people who would get presents.”