The Alternative Press

WESTFIELD, NJ – What started as an unusual, and somewhat awkward, encounter in downtown Westfield has blossomed into a friendship that is sending love all the way across the country.

Katie Cantor, owner of Bath Junkie in Westfield, is collecting items to be sent to the young daughters of Margaret Anderson, the Mount Rainier National Park ranger who was killed by a gunman on New Year’s Day. Anderson’s parents, Paul and Dorothy Kritsch, are residents of Westfield, where Paul Kritsch is the senior pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church.

Cantor met Kritsch during one of his weekly “prayer walks,” in which he and other congregants walk around town and talk to people and find out if they are in need of any special prayers.

“He’d come by every Thursday, and I always said, ‘I’m great, I appreciate it, but I’m Jewish,’” Cantor said. “I wasn’t even sure what he meant at first."

Kritsch continued to drop in every week, staying to chat for a bit, sometimes buying a bathtub toy for his young granddaughters in Washington.

“He’s been stopping in here every week for at least a year,” Cantor said. “And he’s become the light of my whole week. I look forward to Thursdays when I know he’ll be coming in. He’s the kind of person who brings joy to everyone. He’s just a really good guy.”

When Westfield was hit with the devastating news of Anderson’s death, Cantor was shaken. She admits she didn’t even know what to say when she saw Kritsch for the first time after he returned from Washington. But they shared a hug and a chat, and Cantor said she’s glad – and amazed – that’s he’s still doing his prayer walk.

When thinking about Anderson’s widower, Eric, and the two little girls – Anna, 4, and Katie, 2 – Cantor said she found herself wishing she could do something for the little ones who are now without their mother, and Eric, who must surely be overwhelmed at suddenly finding himself a single parent.

So Cantor decided to send a care package to the girls of items from Bath Junkie. She collected sparkly lotion, bath gel, soap shaped like popsicles… all items she calls “fun but practical,” and definitely items a dad wouldn’t immediately think to get.

She mentioned to a couple of people what she was doing, and before she knew it, donations started to pour into her store. Effie Lane, who works at Lord & Taylor, donated hooded towels embroidered with each girl’s name. Sole and Castle Bootery donated shoes. Thinka Dinka sent over gift-wrapped toys. Donations were coming in so fast, Cantor had to start keeping a list. Xocolatz and Swirl Whirl donated gifts cards for the Kritsches. Savory Spice sent over something for Eric, and 16 Prospect offered to pay for the shipping.

“I’m overwhelmed with how the community is getting behind this,” Cantor said. “It’s so amazing and so beautiful.”

Cantor isn’t sure when she’ll ship the gifts out, but said she’d be more than happy to send another batch if more donations come in after the first boxes leave her store.

For more information or questions, Cantor can be reached at westfieldnj@bathjunkie.com, or at the store, 221 North Avenue East. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10-6; Sunday, 12-5; and closed on Monday.