Walsh, Paterno Downplay Coaching Matchup 
12-7-92

Boy's Needs Are Loud And Clear 
A Mom's In A Financial Jam 
After Quitting Work To Care For 
Her Hearing-impaired Son 
*************************************** 
Photo 
Times Leader/don Carey

By Allison Walzer
 Sunday, December 06, 1992 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 2B QUICK WORDS: DREAMS BOOK HOLIDAYS 





Times Leader vice president and editor &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 (COMMENTARY) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Most of us try to be in "The Holiday Spirit" more than several weeks each
year. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 But the truth is that this hard-to-explain feeling kicks in each year at
about this time. With bell-ringers from the Salvation Army serving as
backdrops, we are once again reminded that life is more than just making do
for your own small circle of responsibility. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 It's making do for others as well. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 And each winter when we make our contribution to that year's charity, or
help out at that year's Thanksgiving dinner, we realize that helping feels
good, too. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 And, perhaps, you think to yourself: "I should do this more often." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 But unlike the exceptions -- those indefatigable, year-round do gooders --
most of us don't. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 We get busy. And good intentions fade. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 And before we know it, the year has gone full circle and it's holiday time
again. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I know the routine well. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Which is why the Book of Dreams means a lot to us here at The Times Leader. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 It's our chance -- with your help -- to really make a difference in some
people's lives. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 This year's dreams are those of people I hope you have gotten to know a
little through our stories in the paper since Thanksgiving day. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 For some of us, the so-called Book of Dreams board of directors, the
project starts in the summer. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Although we're not really feeling in the holiday spirit yet, Features
Editor Chris Ritchie typically saunters over to my office with some yellowed
newspapers containing last year's dreamers. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Guess what time it is?" he'll ask with a sly smile. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 And we begin. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 We send letters out to each United Way agency, asking them to check with
their case workers and recommend people who need, and deserve, a little boost
around the holiday season. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Once the responses start coming in, Special Sections Editor Josephine
Szcepanski starts getting to know the families suggested by the various
agencies. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In very little time, she learns almost as much about these families as the
over-extended case workers might. And then the difficult process of selection
begins. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Sometimes, there's immediate relief. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 One family this year needed a special medical device to help their child
sit. After some checking, we found the need could be met without asking you
for help. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 We then narrowed the Book of Dreams list to 11 families or groups with very
different needs. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 There's Rose Suchocki who would like a ramp for her wheelchair so she can
get outside. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 And the Boyle girls, all good students, who would like a computer to help
them get ahead in their schoolwork. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 And there's a special Little League team made up of children with varying
disabilities -- it's called the Challenger league -- who would like to go to
Connecticut to participate in a gathering of hundreds of other Challenger
players but need some help with transportation costs. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 This year we hope to raise $9,385 to fulfill all of our dreams. As of
Friday, we had received $3,500 toward our goal. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Here's a brief recap of the people you've met since Thanksgiving. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 We hope you'll reach into your heart and your pockets to help this year's
special dreamers. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Rose Suchocki needs a wheelchair ramp to get out of her house. Cost:
$1,000. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Boyle sisters need a computer for help with their homework. Cost:
$2,000. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Sabrina Houseknecht was born four months premature and has various health
problems. She needs a stroller and a carousel rocking horse to help strengthen
her muscles. Cost: $189. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Challenger Little League Division needs transportation money to take
them to a gathering of other Challenger leagues. Cost: $2,000. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Raimondi family lost almost everything they owned in a September fire.
They need winter clothes and curtains. Little Genevieve would love to replace
the two Barbies she lost. Cost: $900. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Little Dianna Dulney's mother would like a special piece of equipment to
help her daughter learn to hold her head up and stand. Her daughters also need
some snow suits and mittens. Cost: $680. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Ricky Minckler needs a simple device to help conquer the task of walking.
Cost: $500. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Young Anthony Laury needs a pediatric positioner and a Busy Box activity
center. Cost: $740. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Wilson family needs some help in buying winter clothes. Cost: $300. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Dennis family needs a special smoke alarm device for a hearing impaired
child. Cost: $200. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Zimmerman family needs a special stroller. Cost: $870. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 We all have dreams during the holiday season. We hope you'll help our
dreamers receive theirs. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 And to yours, a happy holiday season. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Allison Walzer is vice president and editor of The Times Leader. Her column
appears on Sunday.

You Can Help Make Dreams Come True