Comfort Campers Give Holiday Cheer
Mon Dec 28, 2009
Author: Ellie Oleson
Source: Telegram.com
Quinebagoes do not believe in roughing it while camping out. Rather than a tent and sleeping bag, they camp in heated or air-conditioned bliss with all the comforts of home — from full bathrooms and bedrooms to kitchens and living rooms with cable television.
The camping group also believes in sharing the wealth and sent a generous donation to the Telegram & Gazette Santa Fund, along with a note from club treasurer John A. Hatch of Lakeshore Drive in Spencer. He said, “The Quinebagoes of Massachusetts would like to donate to the Santa Fund. Merry Christmas!”
Fellow Quinebago and Webster resident Steven C. Tonken, a family support worker for Catholic Charities of Southbridge, said he was thrilled to have his club make the donation.
“I see the impact those toys from the T&G Santa have on the children and their families. Some of our families are destitute. Their goal is survival. They are on welfare or have disabilities. Getting food at the food pantry is huge, much less getting toys for their children. That’s a dream.”
He helps families throughout southern and northern Worcester County, from Southbridge to Gardner and beyond. His job is to “make sure kids are in a safe and healthy place. We have hundreds in need right now.”
Mr. Tonken said the Quinebagoes often make charitable donations, explaining that the Quinebagoes are a camping club, which is open to any owner of a Winnebago or Itasca motor home. An Itasca is made by the same company as the Winnebago, but has “nicer inside detail.”
First, the recreational vehicle owners join the Winnebago Itasca Travelers Club, which makes them eligible to join the Quinebagoes in Central or Western Massachusetts or to join the Bradford Brigade in Eastern Massachusetts.
“Some of us also belong to the Pilgrim Winnies state club,” he said. Massachusetts members are also free to join the Rhodey Winnies, state club of Rhode Island, and the Connecticut Winnies state club.
Many club members also belong to the national Family Motor Coach Association. “While the Winnies might have 100 RVs at a rally, the FMCA might have a rally with 6,000 RVs or more,” Mr. Tonken said.
He was first introduced to camping by his wife, Patricia A. Tonken, and her son, Jason Kaczynski.
“Before we got married 16 years ago, she asked me if I wanted to go camping. I borrowed a tent and supplies from a friend. When I showed up at her house and saw what she meant by ‘camping,’ I was amazed. Her RV was more comfortable than my house,” Mr. Tonken said.
Ever since, the couple has regularly camped all over the area. Among their favorite sites are Coldbrook RV Resort in Barre, Pine Acres Family Camping Resort in Oakham, Salisbury Beach State Reservation and Strawberry Park Resort Campground in Preston, Conn.
The Tonkens are dues-paying members of Winnies state clubs in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. He is past president of the Massachusetts state club and of the Quinebagoes.
Mr. Tonken worked full time in real estate sales until the onset of the recession, when his wife was laid off after three decades in the insurance industry and their son went to the University of Connecticut. Mr. Tonken began working with Catholic Charities.
“We downsized from a 39-foot Winnebago with three slide-out walls to a 1999 Adventurer, 32-foot, no-frills motor home,” Mr. Tonken said. “I can’t complain. We love it, and, remember, I work with homeless people.”
The “no-frills” Winnebago has a queen-sized bed, bathroom with shower, microwave, heat, air conditioning, cable television, full kitchen and more.
Mr. Tonken said, “The Quinebagoes changed our lives. It’s a wonderful hobby and a great group of people. I’m thrilled that the Quinebagoes supported the Gazette Santa, who helps our children at Catholic Charities.”
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. When signing up at an area agency, parents or guardians should bring personal identification for each family member and proof of address and income.
No applications will be accepted directly by the T&G.
Area agencies accepting applications for assistance 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.
