SPRINGFIELD — Watching a child envelop the magic of the holiday season is a special experience in and of itself, but also an experience that every child should have.
That is where The Salvation Army’s Toy for Joy campaign comes in.
For the 102nd year, Toy for Joy is encouraging the community to come together and brighten a child’s holiday through the spirit of giving.
With a monetary donation, toys and books are purchased and given to children in need, who might otherwise go without this holiday season.
“Monetary donations allow The Salvation Army to purchase additional toys and books — that are age, gender and culturally appropriate — in bulk. Because The Salvation Army assists a large number of children and families, purchasing large quantities of like-toys is necessary to ensure the program is fair and equitable,” said The Salvation Army Social Services Director Danielle LaTaille.
She went on to say, “The Salvation Army’s goal is to reach new and existing client families in need of holiday assistance. While our doors are open to all, the Toy for Joy program is by registration due to the increase in requests for assistance that we continue to see.”
Families who qualify – by living within The Salvation Army’s catchment area and have children under the age of 16 — are given the opportunity to register online for the Toy for Joy program starting in November, LaTaille explained.
The Salvation Army offers 1,500 registration slots that are issued on a first come, first served basis. All registered families will receive books and toys for each registered child.
The goal for this year’s campaign is to raise more than $150,000 to purchase those toys and books.
“The Salvation Army’s goal is to ensure that every child and family feels loved at the holidays. Together, with support from our community, we can provide a meaningful program and service to assist our neighbors in need and ensure that no child goes without a gift to unwrap on Christmas,” said Major Paula Spencer from the Salvation Army.
As many families are struggling to make ends meet, this program lessens the burden of purchasing gifts during the holiday season and allows them to enjoy it without worry.
If you are unable to make a donation but still want to help, the Salvation Army is seeking volunteers for the drive.
“The Salvation Army relies on hundreds of volunteers at the holidays and throughout the year to ensure that we can meet the needs of our communities,” shared LaTaille. “We offer numerous volunteer opportunities during the Toy for Joy campaign for different skill sets and interests.”
For instance, “Toy Warehouse” set-up requires nearly 50 volunteers over the course of two days, and during the toy and book distribution, The Salvation Army works with about 25 individual and corporate volunteers on each of the five distribution days.
“Planning, coordinating and distributing books at the holidays is a huge undertaking, but one we gladly accept with the amazing help of our volunteer group to ensure that every child has a gift to unwrap at Christmas,” said LaTaille.
When it comes to volunteering, Toy for Joy also benefits additional residents through its Salvation Army sites in Greenfield and Holyoke, which serve individuals and families in those zip code areas where there are additional volunteer opportunities available.
“Volunteers play an important role in repackaging gifts for each age group to ensure that each will receive toys, games and books to enjoy,” said Spencer.
To volunteer, contact LaTaille at danielle.lataille@use.salvationarmy.org.
The toy distribution will take place in person at The Salvation Army Springfield Corps on Dec. 11,12,16,17 and 18, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Key volunteer dates at The Salvation Army’s Holyoke and Greenfield Corps may be different.
During distribution, LaTaille explained that volunteers are split into indoor and outdoor groups. Indoor volunteers are responsible for pre-packing items, breaking down boxes and preparing family bags, while the outdoor volunteers check-in clients in the drive-thru distribution line and distribute pre-packed gifts.
“After launching our drive-thru distribution during the pandemic in 2020, we have found it has worked well to streamline our distribution process to keep volunteers and clients safe and warm,” Spencer said.
The Toy for Joy campaign runs until Christmas Eve, Dec. 24. Donations for this campaign are accepted until then, however, donations are welcome throughout the year.
To give the gift of joy, visit give.salvationarmy.org/toyforjoy.
Every gift counts.
Toy for Joy is a partnership between The Salvation Army, Reminder Publishing and The Republican.
Some of the local businesses, business owners and dignitaries who supported Toy for Joy in 2023 and again in 2024 are Sarat Ford Lincoln Agawam, Doherty, Wallace Law Firm; Mark E. Salomone; Hampden County Honorary Deputy; Hampden County Jail Inmates Commissary; Smithfield; FLN-MAR Rubber and Plastics Inc.; All States Transport; U.S. Rep. Richard Neal; Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno; Sullivan Keating & Moran Insurance Agency of Springfield; Connecticut Valley Artesian Well Co. Inc.; The Colvest Group; The Republican; Eversource and many more.
