The Phelon family and the Roberts family come from different backgrounds to share the desire to help children.
They exemplify the spirit of a campaign that relies on support from diverse sources, and carries a message to which everyone can relate.
“My dad started donating to Toy for Joy in 2020. He was an avid reader of The Republican, and saw in the newspaper the drive was in danger of not reaching its goal,” said Laura Phelon, whose father, Jack, and family recently donated a generous $1,200 to the 2024 campaign.
With the Dec. 24 deadline for the 2024 campaign looming, the drive’s $150,000 goal again needed the urgent support of individuals, businesses and organizations. No donation is too big or too small, and every dollar will go toward books and toys for deserving children in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties.
Laura Phelon explained the Westfield family’s tradition, she says, because her father is so modest and, she says, “camera shy.” But theirs is a story worth telling.
“In 2020, dad asked myself and my (four) siblings, who are all adults, if, instead of buying gifts for us, he would donate the money to Toy for Joy. Obviously, all five of us were fine with that,” Laura Phelon said.
They continue doing it to honor Jack’s sister, Mary Phelon, who passed away at 68 in 2018. Mary had no children of her own, but loved Christmas and was generous to the large family during the holiday season.
“She was the most selfless person we knew. And my dad, he’s a very involved father who also has six grandchildren. He still buys presents for them, but we’re all happy for the contribution to Toy for Joy,” Laura Phelon said.
From Longmeadow, Steve Roberts and his wife never forget the area’s children — even when they’re at Cape Cod, where they spend some of their time.
Every year, the Steven and Georgianne Roberts Donor Advised Fund supports the cause. Their 2024 donation of $4,024 will brings smiles to the faces of countless children.
“My wife and myself are pleased to be able to contribute substantially to this cause,” Steve Roberts said.
“I retired eight years ago, and that’s how long we’ve been involved with Toy for Joy (through this fund). But F.L. Roberts had been participating long before that,” he said.
Roberts owned the popular gas and convenience store chain before selling it and retiring in 2016. He says he never suffered for Christmas toys as a child, but says he and his wife know others are not so fortunate.
They are carrying on a cherished tradition he maintained in his years as owner of F.L. Roberts, whose locations distributed toys to children.
Help has come from other sources, too. Link to Libraries, a Hampden-based nonprofit, delivered 1,000 books to the Toy for Joy campaign.
Link to Libraries especially promotes reading and literacy for children who may not otherwise have easy access to the joy of reading and learning. Literacy growth has been an essential component of the Toy for Joy campaign for many, many years.
With Toy for Joy now in its 102nd year, all contributions will be recognized and published in The Republican and The Reminders, and online by MassLive.com
The campaign is supported by volunteers from individuals and groups. Among them are Eversource, the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office, and ROVI Homes of Western Mass., a technologically advanced real estate agency based in Agawam.
“ROVI Homes (has sent) out a big group to help. We’re very grateful,” said Danielle LaTaille, social ministries director for the Salvation Army.
A coupon published with Toy for Joy stories may be used to submit a contribution by mail to The Republican, 1860 Main St., Springfield, MA 01103. Donations that are mailed this week and received after the Dec. 24 deadline will be accepted.
Donors can also make online contributions at https://give.salvationarmy.org/give/212002/#!/donation/checkout
Time in the campaign is running short — but it’s not too late to support the children and families of the Pioneer Valley who are counting on it.
“My dad wanted to keep his sister’s memory alive, and he also wanted to give back to kids,” Phelon said. “That’s what Toy for Joy is all about.”
Donations received this week:
- An exciting cause and glad to help out from Steven and Georgianne Roberts — $4024
- Remembering Laura Chimelis, 1959-2023 who loved all children — $1000
- Kathleen — $25
- Merry Christmas from the Mason family — $100
- In memory of Kevin and Glenn Madison, from Dad and Mom — $100
- God bless and Merry Christmas — $25
- In memory of our parents from Jim and Maureen — $150
- In memory of my husband Bob — $100
- Best wished for the holiday from Ted and Judi — $25
- In honor of Kate, Mackenzie, Mary Elyse and Erin — $30
- Jesus came into the world for everyone, God bless — $40
- In memory of the aunts, Grace and Ange — $25
- In memory of Grandma Jo — $50
- In honor of Brown, Busek grandparents — $25
- Jason and Justin — $25
- In memory of Tommy Egan Jr., from 14 special children — $25
- In memory of Nanny and Gramp from 13 special grandchildren —$25
- Paul and Mary Perron — $100
- Michele — $20
- RIP Mom and Dad RIP — $30
- Remembering Vo’Lilly, Vo’Joe, Vo’Binda from Ava and Cole — $20
- Jean — $150
- Paula — $50
- Miss you Sage, see you at the “Rainbow Bridge” — $50
- In memory of Ruth Batson Weston — $200
- Anonymous — $25
- In memory of my mother Julia — $50
- My daughter Amy — $100
- In memory of Anna, Sophie and Viola — $100
- In memory of Jean Ryan — $25
- Merry Christmas from Cliff and Debbie — $25
- A very Merry Christmas to all — $25
- Blessings at Christmas from Jack and Dianne — $30
- In memory of the Sieron, Skorka and Lavelle families — $30
- Erik and Diane — $50
- In loving memory of Gladys and Beenie P and Kent, Jean and Gladys M — $50
- In celebration of our grandson David’s birthday — $75
- In memory of Dora who loved Christmas from Stephen — $35
- Wishing you one and all a Merry Christmas — $125
- For the children with love, xoxo, ASV — $15
- To those gone but not forgotten — $25
- Merry Christmas Mikey, Doreen, 6 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren from Papa and Nanny — $200
- In loving memory of Hank and Ann Prunckun, Lester and Enis MacLeod — $68
- Loving memory of Carl Duso — $100
- Peace and love from Moira, Collin, Elijah, Joshua and Liliana — $50
- In loving memory of my husband Richard Burrage — $25
- Ray and Gerri Crowley — $50
- In loving memory of my parents George and Mary Burgess — $25
- Thank you St. Jude, PLP — $100
- Merry Christmas everyone — $25
- Merry Christmas — $25
- In loving memory of deceased family members from Jim and Sue — $100
- In loving memory of David Duchesreau, 1-15-66 – 5-16-24, love Mitz and Carole —$10
- In memory of Barb, forever friend — $25
- Janice — $250
- In memory of all the family we have lost from Howard — $100
- Blessings from Sandi, honoring Mary O’Neill Vella and Paul H LaValley — $50
- In honor of our grandchildren Dominic, Nico, Emma and Zoey Cirelli — $40
- In memory of John Tuohey — $25
- Anonymous — $100
- In memory of Mom, Dad and Bob — $30
- For good health for our family, JMC/AGC — $5
- In loving memory of our parents, Bill, Adele, Al and Stella, JMC/AGC — $5
- Thank you St. Jude for prayers answered, JMC/AGC — $5
- In loving memory of my guardian angel, Marcia, JMC — $5
- In honor of our children and grandchildren who have brought us so much joy, JMC/AGC — $5
- In memory of Lynn and her dogs — $100
- In memory of Faith Smith, thank you so much — $10
- In memory of Jim Renauld, Dr. Bob’s friend and everyone else’s too — $10
- In loving memory of Ann Marie Martin, 12/17/66 – 8/22/79, love Mom, Dad, Terry and John — $25
- In loving memory of Eileen Martin Carvalho, 8/6/65 – 11/29/23, love Mom, Dad, Terry, John and Marcelo — $25
- Merry Christmas from Lexi and Peanut — $50
- In memory of Stell, who loved Toy for Joy — $100
- For the “Fangs” Jack, Bob, Bill and Donald — $100
- Merry Christmas from Bob, Cheryl, Donna and Dan — $200
- In memory of Bryan Sunter — $100
- From Jeanne, my husband loved Christmas — $25
- Buster, Oreo, Missy, Pebbles and Shaina — $25
- In memory of Diann, Jennie, Art, Eleanor and Joe — $30
- For Chuck — $25
- Merry Christmas — $35
- In loving memory of our parents, Fred and Audrey Consolmagno — $25
- Shout out to Ron Chimelis — $50
- Paul and Mary Perron — $100
- Merry Christmas from Finn — $30
- Anonymous — $25
- Merry Christmas and Happy New Year — $125
- Golden sunset wishes for Christopher Bizilj — $25
- Have a wonderful Christmas — $50
- Happy heavenly anniversary Faye and Mario — $50
- Happy Holidays from the Donoghue’s — $300
- Peace and justice for all — $300
- In memory of family who have passed from the Kaddys — $50
- In loving memory of little Colleen — $50
- Remembering Christmases past and wishing for peace for all — $150
- In loving memory of Mom and Dad who made every Christmas special, xoxo, Deborah — $100
- Anonymous — $20
- For my mother and father, Harold and Edna Costa — $100
- Merry Christmas from Alex, Jayce and Logan — $25
- With gratitude for the best family and friends — $100
- Hugs for a joyous season — $75
- In memory of Jack Ziemba, from the Brissetts — $30
- In memory of my parents, Henry and Grace Partridge, love Mary Martin — $26
- In loving memory of Michael Schiavina and his parents Anne and Caesar Schiavina, loved and missed by Kathy, Mark and Maura — $100
- In memory of loved ones — $25
- Peace and joy to all — $100
- All the best for a happy Christmas — $50
- From our Mikie — $25
- Anonymous — $30
- Remembering the six Worcester firefighters, 25 years — $25
- Merry Christmas to Audrey and Connor — $25
- In memory of Nick, Samantha, Baby DeFeo — $100
- In loving memory of Billy Bond, Scott Skrzyniara and Matthew Mierzwinski — $100
- Merry Christmas from Barbara and John — $50
- In loving memory of Jeff P., Mike C and Ken M 75
- Mom, Emily Witaszek, still in my heart — $20
- In memory of Bernie and Ernie Cardin — $50
- In loving memory of our parents, Paul and Araxie Bagian (LPS) — $25
- In memory of Tiz and Gus, love Aimee — $25
- Antonio and Deborah — $250
- In memory of my mom and dad, “Chickie and Eddie,” love Sharon — $25
- In honor of George Ditomassi — $1000
- In memory of David and Matthew who loved the holidays — $50
- In memory of Bob and Julie Cross — $50
- In loving memory of John D O’Neil Sr., Mary O’Neil, Lucy O’Neil and Yvonne Nelson — $25
- In loving memory of Sheila O’Neil-Ryan, John D. O’Neil Jr and Kevin and Kathleen O’Neil — $25
- In memory or Rich, I miss you so much, love Maureen — $300
- In memory of Pierre, Finnegan, Kelsey, Melvin, Milton, Moses, Monkey and Fawn — $300
- In memory of Edwin and Nancy Shea — $500
- In memory of Paul and Billie, we love and miss you, Rachel — $100
- In memory of those who made our Christmases wonderful from the Cardwells — $200
- Merry Christmas from my grandkids, Mya, Riley, Gavin, Kayla and Alexa — $125
- In memory of our son Tony “Momo” Malone — $150
- In memory of Phyllis and George W Malone Jr. — $100
- In memory of Ruth LaBelle and John LaBelle from the employees of Direct Results — $300
- For David who loved Christmas — $5
- In memory of the Lone Ranger and Tonto, Sioux Indian Chief — $1
- In memory of my school friend, Jeremy McGorty, Granville, MA — $1
- Get well Jay Leno, old car and motorcycle expert — $1
- To my favorite TV man, Family Feud, Steve Harvey — $1
- Merry Christmas and love to all — $1
- In memory of singers Karen Carpenter and Buddy Holly — $1
- In loving memory of Muffin — $20
- In memory of Derek Pelley — $25
- From Rachel Likover and Scott de Wolski, remembering Meesh — $100
- Lena and Dominic Skowron — $100
- Merry Christmas, in loving memory of Mom, Dad and John P — $25
- Robert C — $100
- In loving memory of my mother, Gloria Malboeuf Boudah, and my brother, Gary Boudah, from Doreen and Roland Messier — $50
- In loving memory of my grandparents, Edgar and Bertha Malboeuf from Doreen and Roland Messier — $50
- In loving memory of Rosaire and Rollande Messier from Roland and Doreen Messier — $50
- May Jimmy’s love and spirit for giving at Christmas live on! Missing my dear friend! — $50
- In memory of John Lonergan — $25
- For the joy of our healthy grandchildren and great grandchildren, love Pop and Ging — $100
- Thank you Ziggy — $500
- In memory of Charles Beatty — $100
- Sandra — $25
- In honor of our five grandchildren — $25
- In memory of Madeline Frech, I will miss you forever — $100
- Blessings, in memory of Michele McCoomb Sheehan — $50
- Dave and Jackie Owens — $25
- Judith — $100
- Karen — $25
- From our grandkids Eli, Miles, Ivy and Remy — $100
- God Bless from Jim and Linda — $100
- Merry Christmas from Linda — $25
Received this week: $17,494
Total to date: $51,250
Still needed: $98,750
