Funeral home gift honors the departed.

Byline: Ellie Oleson

COLUMN: TELEGRAM & GAZETTE SANTA

Funeral home workers are used to helping the grief-stricken through difficult times. This year, by making a donation to the Telegram & Gazette Santa Fund, Mercadante Funeral Home in Worcester helped children facing hard times.

Kevin Mercadante, president of the company, said, "The T&G Santa is good to a lot of people. When I was in high school, I was a delivery route driver for the paper. I thought making children happy this time of year was important then and it is important now."

He said the donation was made in memory of "all those who have passed in 2010," and in honor of Mercadante's 50th anniversary. The donation was from Mr. Mercadante and Stephen F. Gemelli, vice president and general manager, on behalf of the funeral home staff.

Mercadante Funeral Home was founded in 1961 at 370 Plantation St. in Worcester by Mr. Mercadante's parents, Louis P. and R. Lorraine Mercadante.

Mr. Mercadante and his wife Katherine have three children, Kristopher, Michelle and Melissa. Mr. Mercadante is a graduate of North High School, Norwich University and the New England Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences. He served two years in the U.S. Army and 12 years in the Massachusetts Army National Guard, retiring as a major in 1995. He has been president of Mercadante Funeral Home since 1979.

"We are dedicated to the care and compassion of each and every person who trusts us to serve them," he said. "Through our donation to the Telegram & Gazette Santa, we are helping children in the name of all those who passed in 2010."

In its 72nd 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. Area agencies participating include: 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 card.

PREVIOUS BALANCE$152,787.67

CONTRIBUTIONS

The Employees at Rescom Exteriors$1,000

The Kopec...