That Pynchon "chill"

[Erik T. Burns]

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Pynchon award winners named
News
MARY ELLEN O'SHEA
STAFF
456 Words
23 March 2004
The Republican
Springfield
B04
English
Copyright (c) 2004. The Republican All Rights Reserved. Used by Factiva with
Permission.

ART: PHOTO

moshea at repub.com

The annual awards, now 90 years old, honor "unsung heroes" across the
region.

SPRINGFIELD - A cancer survivor, a community activist and a rabbi were named
yesterday as recipients of the 90th annual William Pynchon Awards.

The Ad Club of Western Massachusetts named Lucia M. Guiggio, Carl G. Erikson
and Rabbi Jerome S. Gurland for the award that honors individuals who
contribute to the well-being of their communities.

The recipients, announced in a brief ceremony at the Banknorth Community
Room, were described as kind, compassionate and tireless in their efforts to
make the world a better place. They will be honored at a dinner May 11 at
Chez Josef in Agawam.

All three used their moment at the podium to give credit to others.

"I'm overwhelmed," said Guiggio who survived breast cancer a decade ago and
was inspired to begin the annual "Rays of Hope" walk, now one of the
region's largest fund-raisers, last year raising nearly $600,000 for cancer
research and victim support.

"I feel like I'm getting the credit, but the community has done all the
work. I thank you from the bottom of my heart," she said.

The October walk, begun in 1993 with 500 volunteers, has grown to some 7,200
walkers. Proceeds go to the Comprehensive Breast Center at Baystate Medical
Center for treatment programs, education, outreach and research.

Guiggio is director of case management at Jewish Geriatric Services in
Longmeadow.

Erikson is president of Children's Aid and Family Services in Hampshire
County and of the MANNA Soup Kitchen in Northampton where he lives. A deacon
at the Edwards Church, he is a regular volunteer at shelters and food
pantries.

"A lot of good things have happened to me in my life. Receiving this
prestigious award has to be one of the best," said Erikson who is a
technical writer at Solutions by Computer in Springfield.

Gurland, cultural liaison coordinator and lecturer at Western New England
College, is a well-known voice for reason and justice. Yesterday he was
described as a quiet man who makes himself heard on issues ranging from
human rights to gay marriage.

"Wherever I am, it's been my goal to bring people together," Gurland said.

Those charged with naming recipients said that after researching nominees
they were unanimous in their choices.

"We look for that person who has gone above and beyond the norm. They tend
to be unsung heroes. They give us what we call the 'Pynchon chill,'" said
Joel S. Morse, advertising director at The Republican.

CUTLINE: Lucia M. Guiggio

(PHOTO 2) Carl G. Erikson

(PHOTO 3) Rabbi Jerome S. Gurland