TORRINGTON - When Caroline D'Angelo's younger sister died two months ago, she gave a gift in her memory to help send underprivileged children to camp.

D'Angelo, one of eight siblings, said she chose to contribute to the Campership Fund because her children and grandchildren were always fortunate and she wanted other youngsters to have similar opportunities.

"Whenever I am able to do something like that, I would rather do something for the children," she said. "The full amount of this money goes directly to the Campership Fund. That's wonderful."

D'Angelo and her husband were one of three donors who contributed to the Greater Waterbury Campership Fund in the past few months to help send children to camp during the summer of 2006.

The D'Angelos, of 667 New Harwinton Road, gave $200 in memory of Mrs. D'Angelo's sister, Agnes Dusi, whom she called "Babe"; Mr. and Mrs. Gerald S. Brittingham, of 164 North Brooksvale Road, Cheshire, gave $100; and an anonymous donor gave $102.19, through the United Way of Greater Waterbury.

Donations to the fund give boys and girls from the Greater Waterbury area an experience at one of the many summer camps in Connecticut. The fund is sponsored by the Republican-American and administered by the United Way of Greater Waterbury.

The fund has received $94,611.21 in donations this year, one hundred percent of which goes to sending children to camp. In 2005, the fund sent 403 youngsters to 12 camps.

Fundraising for the 2006 season has already started. The more gifts received before the camp season begins, the earlier children can attend camp. Donations made on or before December 31 may be deductible for 2005 income tax purposes.

And for some, like Caroline D'Angelo, the Campership Fund is a way to remember friends and relatives. D'Angelo's sister "Babe" always loved children, she said.

"Sometimes people don't realize that they can give something in memory of someone," D'Angelo said. "This is a perfect thing. That's the reason we did it."

Donations of any amount will be acknowledged in the Republican-American unless the donor wishes otherwise. They can be mailed to Mike Mucciacciaro, treasurer, Greater Waterbury Campership Fund, c/o Republican-American, P.O. Box 2090, Waterbury 06722.