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By Bill Van Tassel
MANCHESTER — At the age of 10, Erika Shaw was already helping her grandmother, Bette Seymour, set up craft fairs at her church, Randolph United Methodist. Seymour, who started a clothes closet at the church, has always been involved with her community, particularly helping those in need. Erika, now 29, has followed in her grandmother’s footsteps.
Shaw, a graduate of Maranacook High School and Husson University with a degree in business, is employed by the U.S. Postal Service in Winthrop, as well as at the front desk of an area hotel.
But she spends a lot of her time raising money for another school she graduated from — Manchester Elementary School. She said her charitable work simply comes from her concern for those struggling financially or otherwise. Her mother, Penny Shaw, says, “It’s in her blood,” and that Seymour, who lives in Randolph, provided a great example.
Shaw’s efforts include those at Manchester Elementary School. She organizes craft fairs to benefit the students, and has also done Red Cross blood drives and held Yankee Candle campaigns. The money from the proejcts goes to school supplies, winter clothing and even helping students who have overdue lunch tabs.
School secretary Joyce Norwood says, “Erika has a giving nature that surpasses most people her age; she’s very community minded.”
Shaw gets teary-eyed when asked why she makes such an effort to help out.
“I just can’t stand to think there’s a child who may have to go without,” she says. In addition to her concern for needy children, she adds, “I just like planning and organizing.” Her mother used to organize Christmas parties for the family at which each person coming bought a gift for another member in their large extended family, something that jas spread to the Shaw and Seymour family efforts in the community.
Shaw’s mother and grandmother, sitting at their kitchen table, recount recent efforts by Shaw. At the Manchester School Craft Fair, slated for Nov. 3 and 4, she is adding vendor booths in addition to the usual craft and bake tables. Seymour says her granddaughter was contacting vendors and crafters early on, checking open dates for events and then, with a little help from family, got everything organized and set up. “It’s a year-round job,” Seymour says.
Her mother jokes, with a smile, “She also likes to shop!”
Shaw’s family also benefits from her efforts. She has been of great help and encouragement to her sisters, Heidi, 26, and Hannah, 23, when they, too, were at Husson. At one time she had an apartment near the college and used to make prepared meals and cookies for them.
When she first started her efforts, Shaw says she was surprised at how many people there were in need, but also at how generous people can be. “People would hand over a 20-dollar bill and not ask for the change,” she says.
PHOTO: Erika Shaw, of Manchester, (right) with her grandmother, Bette Seymour of Randolph. Erika and Bette are known for their consistent community service to help those in need. (Bill Van Tassel photo)
