Car dealer jump-starts donations.

PositionNEWS

Byline: Ellie Oleson

COLUMN: TELEGRAM & GAZETTE SANTA

Though needy children are hardly the target group for car dealers, at Lamoureux Ford Inc. in East Brookfield, children become the focus of giving at this time of year.

Lamoureux employees take up an annual collection for the Telegram & Gazette Santa, then management ups the donation to an even $500.

"We add to what they collect. We know it's particularly important for us to donate in this environment we're all forced to live with," said Bob Pillsbury, general manager.

He said Lamoureux is a "family-owned car dealer that has always been family-oriented," and supportive of children, donating to toy drives in Spencer, North Brookfield, and East Brookfield, as well as to the T&G Santa.

"Car dealers are usually among the larger employers and taxpayers in a community. We employ 45 people. That represents a lot of families," he said.

It has been 33 years since Lamoureux Ford was founded by Lionel Lamoureux, who was later joined in the business by his son, Marc Lamoureux.

Mr. Pillsbury said, "I have been with them 23 years. That's the way it is here. People stay year after year."

Despite the ongoing recession, Ford is doing well in terms of car sales, he said. "The quality is good and prices are great. We're happy to be part of this community."

He said customers come from a 20-mile radius around East Brookfield, including Worcester, which is one reason his company was happy to donate to the T&G Santa again this year.

"This time of year, it's especially important to remember all the children in need in our area. That's why we donate to the Gazette Santa."

The T&G Santa is holding its annual fund drive. In its 71st year, the T&G Santa Fund collects thousands of donations from generous readers and area residents to help buy toys for children in need in Central Massachusetts.

Children 12 and younger who would otherwise not receive any holiday gifts are eligible to receive two toys each. Among the agencies the T&G Santa works with are: the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities Family and Children's Services of Southbridge, Gardner Community Action Committee, WHEAT Community Services and Winchendon Community Action Committee.

Anyone who wishes to contribute to the fund can do so by clipping and filling out the form in the newspaper and mailing it to Telegram & Gazette Santa Fund, c/o Commerce Bank, P.O. Box 15204, Worcester, MA 01615-0204 or by going online to www.telegram.com/santa to donate by credit...

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