Stonington ― In a small ceremony at the Stonington Free Library Thursday, Tom Rezendes received cards from local children thanking him for donations he has collected in his store for youth programming at the library.

And there was a proclamation by borough Warden Jeff Callahan and the burgesses.

In part it read, “whereas, for the past twenty five years Tom has been the sole proprietor of Tom’s News, arising very early every day, to serve his customers, and whereas, Tom’s News is a critical source of local, national and international news & information for residents of said Borough, and whereas, Tom’s News also provides sweets and amusements to the children of said Borough as well as vital supplies of food and beverages for adults, therefore be it resolved that the Warden & Burgesses of said Borough gratefully acknowledge the contributions that Tom Rezendes has made to our community and do declare December 29, 2022 Tom Rezendes Day.”

In the Water Street shop where Rezendes has sold newspapers, magazines, staples and assorted sundries to the community for the past 25 years, a container full of change, dollar bills and even some twenties sit on his back counter ready for pick up by library staff.

“The last one for the year,” Rezendes said on Wednesday morning,

Rezendes said he did not know how much he has collected since 2019, but Micayla Hall, director of the Stonington Free Library, does.

She said on Tuesday that Rezendes has donated more than $8,000 since he started collecting donations for youth programming at the library.

“We’re just grateful for the kindness and support of everyone who has placed their change or a few dollars in that jar,” she said. “We’ve done many, many things with that money and it’s had a huge impact on children’s services here at the library and for the children in the community.”

“So many of my customers are the kids,” Rezendes said when asked why he chose to direct the donations to youth programs at the library.

“I love the kids,” he said explaining that he has loved watching them come in as very young children to buy his penny candy, grow up, go to college, and eventually come into his store with children of their own over the years.

Rezendes had recently left his job at the American Velvet Company, where he also served as the union president, when he took over the business in 1997, formerly Keane’s Newstand.

“They were getting ready to close, and I was president of the union, and it was just getting to me — so many people being laid off -- and I just decided I was going to step aside and try to start a new life,” he recalled.

From his first day, he wanted to be more than a store owner; he wanted to be part of the community.

“The way to be part of the community is to get to know people — know them when they’re hurting, when they’re sad and when they’re sick, and when they lose loved ones, watch children grow up, and watch them laugh,” he explained.

Rezendes said the community made the store special and he walked away last week, embarassed when his customers began to talk about him and his store.

“Tom’s newsstand is the center of the community of Stonington Borough,” said regular customer Tom Sanford, adding, “without Tom’s News, this borough would just scatter in the wind.”

Regular customer Peyton Horne agreed, saying Tom’s News is one of the reasons she moved to the borough.

“He makes this village hum. My day begins coming down to see Tom and pick up my newspapers, and I know I’m safe. It’s wonderful. If I want to hear any gossip, there might be some. I love the guys that come in here; they’re the best,” she said enthusiastically.

Retired Stonington Police Chief Dave Erskine said, after some friendly banter with his childhood friend Rezendes, “this is where everybody first hears the news. They always gather here.”

“It’s amazing,” Sanford said. “I always say that when Tom’s closes down, or Tom packs it in, I’m packing out.”

His customers do not have to worry about the shop closing though. Rezendes, who did not want to give his age, said he has no intention of retiring.

He said he will continue to open his store at 5 a.m. every day of the week sharing the hyperlocal and local news, supporting his community, and selling penny candy to each new generation of children that come into his store, as long as he is able.