On the latest episode of “So That Reminds Me,” Salvation Army’s Social Services Director Danielle LaTaille (left) and Captain Stacy McNeil (center left) joined hosts Chris Maza and Dennis Hackett to talk all about the Salvation Army’s 103rd Toy for Joy Campaign.
Reminder Publishing photo by Tyler Garnet
As the Toy for Joy campaign drives its mission of helping children and families share in the joy of the season, Eversource is among those companies that step up and pitch in.
Without the volunteer efforts of this company, which provides energy to the region, and others, maintaining this campaign would be a daunting challenge.
For years, Eversource has provided volunteer help for the distribution of toys, which will occur again in December. This is a large-scale operation that services hundreds and even thousands of children.
Without their help and that of other volunteer agencies, this task would perhaps be too much for the staff at Salvation Army, which is again sponsoring an iconic Christmas campaign that is now in its 103rd year. It could involve bringing in paid help, and that would take dollars away from the people who now receive all of what donors had intended -—Christmas toys, books and games to make theirs a happy holiday.
“Supporting the communities we serve is central to who we are as a company. The holiday season can be especially difficult for families,” said Amanda Heinsen Morales, Eversource’s Massachusetts Program Manager for Corporate Citizenship.
“Programs like Toy for Joy help ensure children experience the joy and hope they deserve this time of year. We’re proud to continue our longstanding partnership with The Salvation Army to make a meaningful difference for local families,” Morales said.
The Toy for Joy campaign is an important part of Eversource’s broad-based community involvement program. With both financial support and hands-on help, the company supports other charities and causes throughout the Springfield area and beyond. Many, though not all, champion and reinforce Salvation Army programs.
Eversource has also pledged a $3,000 donation to the 2025 Toy for Joy campaign. As Morales expressed, its contribution to the region begins as a residential energy provider but extends to a more personal, multi-faceted place as a community participant.
For this worthy campaign, time always seems to fly by, and 2025 is no exception. The Thanksgiving holiday provides a checkpoint for a drive that begins in early November and ends on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24.
No donation is too large or too small. Toy for Joy serves deserving children 16 and under in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties, through Salvation Army citadels in Springfield, Holyoke and Greenfield.
Mail-in contributions go to a new address this year, as shown on the coupon that accompanies this story. Donations are to be sent to The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 971, Springfield, Mass. 01101.
For online donations, donors can use the general link tinyurl.com/ToyForJoy2025.
This year’s campaign is again sponsored by the Salvation Army through its Western Massachusetts locations in Springfield, Holyoke and Greenfield. It will be advertised and promoted in The Republican, Reminder Publishing, MassLive and El Pueblo Latino.
Registration is closed. Pickups will be on designated days in December.
Some recent donations:
- In memory of my Grandparents, Maurice W Dickey and Marion Melius Dickey, $500
- From the Donoghue Family, $300
- In celebration of life’s gifts. God Bless the Children, $250
- Merry Christmas to all the children from Lexi and Peanut, $50
- In loving memory of Grandma Lena, Papa, Grandma Rose and Poppy. All our love Luca, Frankie, Madison and Jack, $25
For a full list of donors, visit thereminder.com/toy-for-joy-donors.
