LEEDS — Pets have always held a special place in members of the Dwyer family’s hearts.
When the Leeds family’s German shepherd “Rowdy” died more than 15 years ago, Bill Dwyer made a donation to the Gazette’s Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund in memory of their “beloved” four-legged companion.
The donation became an annual tradition, according to the couple’s daughter, Maureen Huminik of Stoughton.
“As more of their dogs crossed the rainbow bridge, my parents added more names to their donation,” Huminik said.
In June 2014, Bill Dwyer died at 82 years old. In continuing something that was really important to him, Bill’s wife, Maureen F. Dwyer, and children, Maureen Huminik as well as Michael, Kate and Nick Dwyer, decided to keep the tradition going.
This year, the family donated $50 in memory of Bill, Rowdy, Mac, Mugsy and Bruiser.
“We knew how much it meant to Dad, and my mother and all of us kids wanted to keep it going,” Huminik said. “Their pets were so important to them, and this is a way to acknowledge their passing and share their love of their pet for something meaningful.”
Named after a former business manager at the Gazette, the Toy Fund began in 1933 to help families in need during the Depression. Today, the fund distributes vouchers worth $50 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, and in Holyoke in Hampden County.
The following stores are participating this year: A2Z Science and Learning Store, 57 King St., Northampton; Blue Marble/Little Blue, 150 Main St., Level 1, Northampton; Deals & Steals, 1 Pearl St., Northampton; High Five Books, 141 N. Main St., Florence; The Toy Box, 201 N. Pleasant St., Amherst; Once Upon A Child,1458 Riverdale St., West Springfield; Plato’s Closet, 1472 Riverdale St., West Springfield; Sam’s Outdoor Outfitters, 227 Russell St., Hadley; Odyssey Bookshop, 9 College St., Village Commons, South Hadley; The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 W. Bay Road, Amherst; World Eye Bookshop, 134 Main St., Greenfield; Holyoke Sporting Goods Co., and 1584 Dwight St. No. 1, Holyoke.
Emily Thurlow can be reached at ethurlow@gazettenet.com.
