Here are the contributions we have received for 2009. Donations usually appear on the web before they run in the paper.
Looking back on another successful effort
The Patriot Ledger’s Lend a Hand fund took in a total of $123,240 from 1,240 donors during the holiday season.
Some employer-match money is still coming in; it will be used to start next year’s campaign.
Through several local agencies, Lend a Hand money is distributed to help South Shore families in need,.
Among those who benefited from the 2009 campaign were Sheryl, who was struggling to make car payments while caring for her 4-year-old grandson, and John, who was seeking a place that he and his 3-year-old son could call home.
The beneficiaries also included Nancy, who supports her two disabled children, and Amy, a former Marine who, along with her four children, recently escaped from an abusive husband.
“In a year where so many people have faced job loss, strained home budgets, foreclosure threats and more, I can only express the deepest appreciation and gratitude for this remarkable community generosity,” said Chazy Dowaliby, editor of The Patriot Ledger. “On behalf of all of the hundreds of people throughout the South Shore who have already been helped and heartened by these donations, I extend my warmest thanks.”
Hingham second-graders honor teacher with donation
There’s no minimum age for participating in the Ledger’s Lend a Hand charitable fundraising campaign. After finding out that their teacher, Cindy Rossini, had been named a Patriot Ledger Teacher of the Week, second-graders at Hingham’s South School collected $177 and donated it in her honor.
South Shore Dancers step up again
The recession didn’t prevent the South Shore Dancers from nearly tripling their contribution to Lend a Hand. The ballroom dance club donated $2,721 to Lend a Hand, the most it has given to the charity since its first donation in 2003.
The club raised $925 last year. President Tom Osterland thought it could do more this year.
Dance club members raised $800 at their annual holiday party. And Osterland and the club’s directors decided to match the first $1,000 of member contributions, significantly bolstering the total.
``I didn’t really expect to hit the amount we did,'' Osterland said. ``We recognized there are people out there who need help.''
Osterland said he was pleased with the total amount, and said the club expects to donate again next year.
The South Shore Dancers were not the only generous donors this holiday season.
Students from the Wampatuck Elementary School in Scituate raised $1,414 through the Read for People in Need program. Third-graders at Norwell’s Vinal School chipped in $125.
‘What better feeling than knowing we can help others?’
Bob and Julia Dupras of Randolph know what Christmas is all about. The Duprases made a donation to Lend a Hand in memory of their granddaughter Julia Silva of Plymouth, who spent many years in and out of Boston Children’s Hospital. She was 17 when she died in 2006.
In a letter to Lend a Hand, they explained why they gave:
"This time of year gives us all a chance to reflect on the things that are most important to us. Everyone seems to be in such a rush today, when perhaps if we stop for just a moment and give that valuable item, our time, to others, in turn we help ourselves. A phone call, an errand or task done, a simple smile, a word of cheer ... the list can go on and on, if we only look inside our hearts.
"Something given from the heart can do so much for ourselves and others. The Ledger’s Lend a Hand helps us do just that, by donating whatever we can.
"Someone out there is certainly in need. What better feeling than knowing in some small way we can help others, and in doing so help ourselves?''
Scituate couple hope to Lend a Hand to parents during the holidays
Elaine and Roy Davis donated $100 to Lend a Hand this year to provide happiness for the children of the South Shore.
"We donate so kids can have gifts on Christmas morning, '' Elaine Davis said.
She said that she gives to Lend a Hand because 100 percent of the donations go to people of the South Shore.
The Scituate couple have given to Lend a Hand the past three years to help parents provide for children during the holidays.
Lend a Hand donations have exceeded $100,000 again this year.
Donations also included $500 from the Officer Jamie Cochrane Road Race in Quincy.
The annual road race is held in memory of Cochrane, who was killed in 2006 while riding his motorcycle.
Selflessness: Generous donations keep coming
With so many people unemployed, Mary Ann Belyea of Hull thinks her South Shore neighbors have been particularly willing to donate to charity this holiday season.
"With the way people are this year, so many people are willing to help,'' she said.
Belyea and her husband, Walter, donated $200 to Lend a Hand, the Ledger’s holiday fundraising campaign, in memory of her parents. She says they were very charitable people.
The money donated to Lend a Hand is used to help people in need on the South Shore. Despite the economy, Ledger readers have remained generous. Contributions to this year’s campaign have topped $100,000.
Thayer, Xaverian hockey teams score big for Lend a Hand
The fourth annual Lend A Hand hockey scrimmage between Thayer Academy and Xaverian Brothers High School raised $670 for this year's campaign.
'My aunt is my hero'
Abington couple gives to help neighbors
Joan and Tony Pusateri choosing the right charity during the holiday season can be a difficult choice. They receive mail from several different charities, but they like to give locally.
Scituate students read for people in need
Amy Caldeira woke up at 3 a.m. with a perfect idea for a class project true to the spirit of the holidays and learning. And so “Read for People in Need” was born, created by the Wampatuck Elementary School teacher to raise money for charity while spurring students to read.
For Scituate couple, charity begins at home
Richard Leach and his wife, Jackie, gave to regional fund drives during the holidays, but the Scituate residents felt the donations were not helping their neighbors.
Quincy lawyer enjoys helping neighbors
Some people are cutting back on their charitable donations this year, but not Quincy lawyer George G. Burke.
Uncle Sam goes all out for Lend A Hand
Uncle Sam Rounseville, the Quincy real estate agent best known for his red, white and blue alter ego, has long been a friend of Lend A Hand. This year he went all out. Click on the headline to read the story and to see a video from the event.
(Right: Sam Rounseville and Jean Kenney at his 70th birthday party)
