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Reynolds, a Stissing Mountain High School alumnus, has been actively involved for more than four years in fundraising efforts in memory of Erin Shanley, a Stissing Mountain student who died tragically in a car accident back in January of 2004. She was 16 years old. The radiothon will be held this year on Friday, March 6, and Saturday, March 7.
A listener of WRWD, Shanley would often call in to pledge to the Radiothon for not only a love of supporting St. Jude, but also to hear her name announced on the radio for making a contribution.
"Each year we're keeping Erin's memory alive," Tim Reynolds said. "And instead of her calling in donations, we're helping do it for her."
The two-day broadcast is one 19-year-old Reynolds, his family and friends have made a tradition to turn on.
"Throughout the years, we listened to it at my house," he said.
Reynolds said more than $2,400 dollars was raised last year through the help of local businesses, faculty and staff at Stissing Mountain High School, and from residents in Stanford and Milan. Reynolds said the fundraiser is allotted about 15 minutes of airtime, and during that time between $10-$15,000 is raised.
Over four years, in conjunction with WRWD, roughly $60,000 has been raised in Erin's memory, Reynolds said.
"Whatever funds we raise, we try to match dollar for dollar," Reynolds said.
Reynolds said this year is the first year he is not able to be physically present for preparation efforts, since he is a freshman at Ithaca College. But he has contacted his former high school and the National Honor Society, which he was also a part of. Students from NHS are teaming up to go around and ask local businesses to contribute to the fundraiser. He said during his college's spring break, March 6, he hopes to return home and go to the radio station with money collected from donations.
Family connection on all frequencies
Shanley was a classmate and friend of Reynolds' brother, Patrick, who is now a senior in college. Reynolds said Patrick was in a tight group of friends back in high school and it was something he admired.
"I used to look up to my brother's friends," Reynolds said. "That was one reason I felt like I should do this for her (Erin)." Reynolds said he knew Erin's two brothers, Tom and Pat Shanley, as remarkable athletes for the Pine Plains Central School District.
"After Erin passed away, you could see how much influence she had on everyone around her and everyone who knew her," Reynolds said.
Reynolds said he knew Erin for about three or four years, and after she passed, his mother, Jackie, helped him launch the idea to fundraise through the radio.
Jackie Reynolds, a local professional clown, said she never knew the Shanley family personally. But that bond has grown through Tim, along with a community of supporters.
"I knew I had the right connections, because I had worked with the Radiothon," she said. She would often make balloon animals, an activity offered at the Poughkeepsie Galleria as part of the Radiothon weekend. She said she was also familiar with St. Jude.
On a more serious note, Jackie reflected over the phone of Erin Shanley's passing with tears of sorrow in her voice.
"When Erin passed away ... here it was, the entire community in Pine Plains and Stanfordville who collectively had their hearts broken," she said. She used the words "widespread disbelief" when describing the loss of Erin.
She added the fundraiser is "like a healing for the community because that loss is so great."
Erin Shanley's mother, Valerie, spoke with pride of Tim's efforts.
"He's a pretty remarkable guy," she said. "The Radiothon is something my daughter always liked to contribute to, and that's why Tim picked up the ball and ran with it."
For more information on how to donate to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, contact Tim Reynolds at (845) 214-7801 or e-mail him at treynol2@ithaca.edu.
