I recently finished reading the mystery “The Nine Tailors” by British writer Dorothy Sayers and learned that the title does not refer to nine bespectacled men with tape measures around their necks but to the old English tradition of tolling parish church bells nine times when a man dies or the old year ends (A woman only gets six bell tolls). This knowledge gives new meaning to John Donne’s words, “No man is an island, entire and of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main ... any man’s death diminishes me; because I am involved in mankind; and therefore, never send to know for whom the bells tolls; it tolls for thee.”

It is this sense of being connected to one another that gives life meaning, and it is particularly worthy when parents instill the idea of giving in their children. Tonja Pastorelle and a group of Emerson School moms certainly believe in being involved in mankind because, for the past school year, they have made an effort to, in Pastorelle’s words, “involve our kids and help raise a generation of givers.”

Pastorelle started this group in September, and in that short time they, with their kids’ help, organized a coat drive, raised $1,500 for UNICEF (with the majority of the money collected in loose change by their kids while trick-or-treating on Halloween) and adopted six needy families from Elmhurst and Bensenville. At a holiday get together at Pastorelle’s house, the moms gathered to drop off gift cards or specific gifts wrapped for the holiday for one of these families. Mary Jo Corbutt from the United Community Concerns Association was there to represent the families.

The ladies in Pastorelle’s group include Laura Shafer, Julie Hassler, Cheryl Anderson, Jane Foreman, Kim Kortes, Kelli Reichl, Veronica Hoehn, Cassie Quick, Carol Snyder, Karen Miller and Fran Gallagher, who commented, “We wanted to bring some holiday cheer to these families during these hard times.”

These ladies also brought food to share while they discussed future ways to involve their kids. Some of these were military care packages in honor of former Emerson student Joe Vanek, who was killed in Iraq last year; the Annie Ryan Fun Run; and something called “Make a Change,” where kids get their parents to donate loose change and, after the money is collected, have the opportunity to vote on which charity will be the recipient. Another area of giving discussed was the Treasure Chest Charity, where new toys are given to kids undergoing treatment for cancer.

Mayoral candidate Susan Rose was invited to attend this meeting, and she said, “Fostering a culture of giving is key in a civilized society.”

If you have kids in school, you may want to contact Pastorelle at t.pastorelle@comcast.net to either get involved or start a similar group in your school district.

There was another small but focused and caring group that got together this holiday season. Several people braved the weather to gather at the Fay Street home of Genet and John Pinkerton to nibble on chocolate and cheer on Genet’s and daughter Heather’s Team Hope as well as Genet’s friend Suzanne Waite and her daughter, 16-year-old Elise, who have their own Team Hope. Both teams are raising funds to run in a half marathon (that’s about 13 miles) in Miami on Sunday, Jan. 25. Their efforts are in support of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America.

The team’s inspiration is Heather, who was diagnosed with Crohn’s about a year ago. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases that are seldom discussed and can be isolating. They are increasingly diagnosed in young people around the time of puberty, an awkward stage when adolescents already feel self-conscious.

One of the guests that evening was Carmela Marrero, a mother to two who was diagnosed with Crohn’s three years ago.

“I’m not afraid to talk about it because I want people to become more aware,” she said.
Also there to lend support and nibble on truffles were Soon Har Tan, Mary Parks, Karen Anderson, and Laura and Paul McAdam. Most excited was Waite, who has been training with Elise since fall.

“Our goal is to raise $12,000 and to help CCFA find a cure,” she said. “So far our fundraisers have included our Cure by Chocolate Party, ‘canning’ outside Jewel, gift wrapping at bookstores, balloon twisting and glitter tattooing, even caroling.”

If you would like to support Suzanne, Genet, Elise and Heather’s Team Hope, visit their Web sites at www.active.com/donateM109illinois/suzannewaiteelisewaite for Suzanne and daughter Elise or www.active.com/donateM109illinois/heatherlove for Genet and daughter Heather.

Send ideas and comments to elmhurstovereasy@comcast.net.