Toy for Joy donations surge with deadline looming

The Toy for Joy campaign is in its final stages, but a late surge in donations will make countless children and families happy this Christmas.

The campaign deadline of Dec. 24 comes so quickly. But donations received just before or on that date, or in the mail just after the deadline, count just as much and will go directly toward providing toys, games and books to children from Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties.

Even a contribution mailed on the deadline day of Dec. 24 is applied to the cause.

Now in its 102nd year, Toy for Joy has again been sponsored by the Salvation Army, which has been involved with the drive since the 1950s. The organization’s citadels in Springfield, Holyoke and Greenfield have been distributing gifts to deserving children.

Promoting literacy among children has been a Toy for Joy mission for years. This year, Link to Libraries again supported the cause in a major way by providing 1,000 brand new, age-appropriate books to the Salvation Army.

“These books are worth approximately $5,000 in all. Last year, we donated 600, so we were able to nearly double it this year,” said Amy Anderlonis, executive vice president of the Hampden-based Link to Libraries nonprofit.

“We think books are the best gift. To make it happen, we rely on the generosity of local businesses,” Anderlonis said. “For many children, their first book comes from us. Salvation Army was having some trouble getting age-appropriate books, but we think partnering with them helps all of us, and the children.”

Anderlonis said Link to Libraries was formed in 2008 out of deep concern that so many children in school struggle because of reading challenges. The agency has donated over one million books, at an average of more than 50,000 per year, to encourage a lifelong love of reading by children.

Armed with quality toys and books for the children, Toy for Joy is promoted and advertised by The Republican, Reminder Publishing, MassLive and El Pueblo Latino. 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 (HCSO) and ROVI Homes of Western Mass., a technologically advanced real estate agency based in Agawam.

The HCSO contributes in various ways. Each year, a $5,000 donation is received from the Inmate Commissary Fund.

“Too many families are out there struggling to make ends meet, and it gets even harder this time of year. Toy for Joy directly helps those families and puts smiles on kid’s faces,” Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi said.

Additionally, each year, dozens of HCSO staff volunteers at the Salvation Army to help the agency organize and distribute toys.

“I volunteer at the Salvation Army for Toy for Joy because I enjoy giving back to the community and seeing the smiles on the families’ faces when they pick up their gifts. This season is about giving back to others and helping those who need a little assistance,” HCSO program supervisor Angie Savageau said.

It’s not too late to donate, but time is running short, and the campaign needs a late surge. 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.

Donors can also make online contributions at give.salvationarmy.org/give/212002/#!/donation/checkout.

The children and families of the region are counting on the support of their neighbors, businesses and organizations — even and perhaps especially in these final days before Christmas.

The final campaign figures, and the final list of donors, will run in print and online on or around New Year’s Day.

Donations received this week:

• Happy Holidays from All States Transport Inc. — $7500
• In memory of 27 students and teachers killed 12/14/12 in Newtown, CT, Sandy Hook — $270
• In memory of Annie and Elmer W Porter Sr. — $100
• Katherine — $500
• Susan — $50
• Mary and Michael — $25
• In memory of Dennis and Michelle Cardin — $25
• In loving memory of my Nonna Norina and Nonno Frank Mancuso by grandson Frankie — $25
• In loving memory of Nonno Francesco Lacapo by grandson Frankie — $25
• In memory of Maria R from Mary and Laura — $200
• In memory of John and Billy O’Donnell — $25
• In loving memory of Thomas and Jane O’Donnell — $25
• In memory of my mom Peg Mattson, love Janice and Mike — $100
• For the children — $50
• In memory of Jack Ziemba — $20
• For the kids — $25
• In memory of the Barry and the Maloney families — $100
• Peace on earth and good will to all from Mary B — $35
• From Ziggy, Emmie and Valentine — $20
• Thanksgiving for all my blessings — $25
• Merry Christmas from James and Elke — $100
• Thank you St. Jude for prayers answered, LR — $25
• In memory of the Macri sisters, Carmela, Connie, Rose, Mary, Margaret, 1908 – 2021 — $50
• In memory of Alfred, Elsie, Leonard, Jean and Mark — $50
• In memory of Peter, Josephine, Joseph, Margaret, Raymond and Michael — $50
• In memory of the Buldrini sisters, 1900 – 2003, Enis, Eva, Regia, Mulfalda, Florence and Anna — $50
• In memory of Tanner Simpkiss from brother Hunter and family — $25
• In memory of deceased family members from the Paluck family — $100
• Merry Christmas Barry and Dan — $200
• Merry Christmas Mom and Dad — $200
• Merry Christmas Bill — $200
• Merry Christmas to all the children — $50
• Loving memory of my Mom and Dad from Gail — $100
• Hoping to share the gift of joy — $60
• In memory of Eleanor, George and Margaret Reilly, love Kathy — $50
• Wishing good health and happiness for all children, E and L 2024 — $50
• Smiles for all — $100
• Bill and Darlene — $25
• Honoring my grandchildren Matthew, Maya, James and Noah this Christmas — $100
• Merry Christmas from the Sullivan grandchildren — $100
• For Richie who loved Christmas with this grandkids — $100
• Loving memory of Mom, Dad, Shirley, Sandy, Shane and JJ from family — $50
• Anonymous — $50
• In loving memory of deceased loved ones from Richard and Ellen — $50
• In loving memory of Jill Stefanik, xoxo, love and miss you from Mom and Dad — $25
• In loving memory of our parents John and Josephine Szumny, love xoxo — $25
• With love from our shelter dogs, Duncan, Bentley and Brice — $50
• In memory of Morris and Elizabeth Sullivan — $100
• In loving memory of George and Helen Liptak — $100
• In memory of Morris and Elizabeth, Irving and Harriet — $100
• Merry Christmas, love Angelia — $20
• In memory of Jack Hoar who loved Christmas — $50
• In memory of Mom — $25
• In loving memory of Patricia and Gerry Parent from Kathy and Gary — $40
• In memory of all our deceased loved ones — $100
• From Daisy, Diesel and Bana — $100
• In loving memory of Victor Bissonnette Jr. — $50
• In memory of John Scagliarini who so loved Christmas — $100
• In memory of Jim and Ronnie Donohue, Hugh and Anna Ketchum — $100
• Maintain — $100
• In loving memory of Ron Magrone, Merry Christmas, love Tara — $25
• In memory of Ma, love Debbie, Paul, Danielle and Michael — $20
• Anonymous — $25
• In loving memory of members of the Hagan, Heroux, Lynch and Meissner families — $50
• In memory of Christine Bodendorf and Roger Slate from a sesame friend — $50
• To honor my grandchildren, Sarah, Lucas, Britton, Livia and Autumn — $100
• In honor of Michael Serafino — $100
• In loving memory of Frank Kenney Sr., always in my heart, Donna — $25
• For every child to enjoy Christmas — $50
• In memory of my parents, Rev. Peter C and Katherine Katopis, forever in my heart — $50
• Anonymous — $200
• Merry Christmas from Jim and Sally — $50
• Merry Christmas Caden, Aiden, Mason and Rowyn — $50
• In memory of our parents and honoring our 6 grandchildren, Connie and Bob — $50
• In memory of Jack Ziemba from Carl and Lori Perella — $50
• Anonymous — $1000
• In memory of Jack Ziemba from Jeremy and Susan Rudd — $100
• Merry Christmas from Jim, Judy, Chris, Kim, Nick, Josh, Jeff, Sarah and Casey — $300
• In memory of my husband Edward Jacot, Merry Christmas — $50
• In lieu of gifts to the Howe family, Merry Christmas from grandmom Jacot — $75
• In memory of the Neffinger/Drudi deceased — $25
• In loving memory of William Manegre who passed away in 1974 and Catherine Manegre who passed away in 2019, sadly missed by daughter JoAnne, son-in-law Walter, grandson Robert and granddaughter Staunzy — $10
• In loving memory of John and Mary Ganley, sadly missed by granddaughter JoAnne Gould — $10
• In memory of Basil and Eleanor Gould from Walter and Joanne Gould — $3
• In memory of Grandpa and Grandma Gould from Robert Gould — $3
• In memory of Walter and Bertha Edwards from grandson Walter Gould — $3
• In memory of Charles and Helen Edwards from nephew Walter Gould and family — $3
• In memory of Joe and Mary Dillon from nephew Walter Gould and family — $3
• In memory of Richard and Rachel (Water Wheel) Savoy from the Gould family — $3
• In memory of Robin Fleming from the Gould family — $3
• In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Fleming from the Gould family — $3
• In memory of Ken Fleming from the Gould family — $3
• In memory of our dogs, Buddy, Princess, Toby and Sandy girl from the Gould family — $3
• In memory of Benny and Peggy Bonavita from Walter Gould and family — $3
• In memory of our neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. H. Hawley from the Gould family — $3
• In memory of our neighbor Stan, from the Gould family — $3
• In memory of our neighbors Mr. and Mrs. Kwist from the Gould family — $3
• In memory of Mr. and Mrs. George Pelletier from the Gould family — $3
• In memory of my pal, Josie from Robert Gould — $3
• In memory of Mary and Jerry Langone from the Gould family — $3
• In memory of Jay (Langone) and Randy Rewis from the Gould family — $3
• In memory of Jim and Betty Maher from Walter Gould — $3
• In memory of Harry Gallerani from the Gould family — $3
• In memory of Mr. and Mrs. O’Diorne from the Gould family — $3
• In memory of Grandpa Larosa from Robert Gould — $3
• In memory of our friend, Anthony Larosa from Joanne and Walter Gould — $3
• In memory of our neighbor, Fred Kelleher from the Gould family — $3
• In memory of Uncle Donald, Aunt Gerry and Uncle Paul, Uncle John and Aunt June and Aunt Ruth and Aunt Margaret from Joanne Gould and family — $3
• In memory of Ciro Langone and brother Jimmy Langone from the Gould family — $3
• Happy Holidays to all our friends from the Gould family — $3
• To the staff at Tony’s Barber shop in Springfield’s south end, Merry Christmas from Walter and Robert Gould — $3
• In memory of Brian O’Diorne, from the Gould family — $3
• In memory of Retired Springfield Police officer Mike J. Ristaino and Irene Ristaino from the Gould family — $3
• In memory of our good friend Jennie McAlpine, her mother Josephine Szczepanek and brother Matt from the Gould family — $3
• In memory of Antonette Pepe from the Gould family — $3
• Thank you Eastfield Hospital for animals from Preston Gould and family — $3
• In memory of Bill Lapardo from Walter Gould and family — $3
• In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Stenta from the Gould family — $3
• In memory of Shirley Nichols from Walter Gould and family — $3
• In memory of Mike and George Pelletier from Walter Gould and family — $3
• In memory of Jason Kenyon and his father Mark Kenyon from Walter Gould and family — $3
• To our grand dog Cooper from Grandma and Grandpa Gould — $3
• In memory of Jack Wojcik and his son David from the Gould family — $3
• In memory of Mrs. Crinella from the Gould family — $3
• In memory of Julio Nozzolillo from Walter Gould and family — $3
• In memory of Alex Velez from Walter, JoAnne Gould and family — $3
• In memory of Mike Tirozzi from Walter (Water Wheel) Gould and family — $3
• In memory of Barbara Thomas from Walter Gould and family — $3
• In memory of Joe Mineo, from Walter (Water Wheel) Gould and family — $3
• In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Corbeil Sr., from the Gould family — $3
• To all my co-workers, friends and customers at Red Rose Pizzeria — $3
• In memory of Francis Magagnoli (The leader of the band) from the Gould family — $3
• In memory of a good friend, Jimmy Fields from Walter Gould — $3
• In memory of Karen Rosinski from the Gould family — $3
• For Al and Eleanor from Darlene, Kelly and Bob — $25
• In memory of Stephanie, Patsy and Larry — $50
• In memory of our deceased loved ones from Jill and Joe — $100
• In memory of my mom and dad from Kathy — $50
• In loving memory of my parents Helen and Louis, love Buzz —$25
• In loving memory of my brother Joe, love Sue — $25
• In loving memory of my parents Carmela and Filippo, love Sue — $25
• In memory of Jim Fox-Fox Tales — $10
• In memory of Mae Egen — $10
• In memory of my mother, Evelyn, love always finds a way to give — $50
• In memory of Mabel and Stanley Chrusciet — $25
• In memory of Bob Przekopowski — $25
• In memory of Theresa DiRico — $50
• In loving memory of Max and Ger Roas and Gino and Anita Bacchiocchi — $100
• Charlene and Jim Murphy say hello to Woody and Alice — $10
• In loving memory of Theresa Shuman — $150
• In memory of all 4 Bompas — $150
• In loving memory of Catherine and John Leahy who loved Christmas, your family — $50
• In memory of Mike and Gerry Garrity — $25
• In loving memory of all the Babineau, George and Pirroni families that are no longer with us — $50
• In loving memory of A. Ronald Paquin and Joanne C Paquin from their daughter Sandy — $100
• In memory of Andrew and Margaret Parsons, they made Christmas exciting, Deb — $50
• In loving memory of family and friends no longer with us, love VNL — $25
• Carolyn — $50
• God bless the children — $100
• Remembering Mom, Dad, Gramma, Grandpa, love Peter and Halina — $150
• Merry Christmas from the Sbalbi family — $50
• In memory of Donald and Robert Stuart, Keith and Robert Person and Heidi Weit from Pauline Stuart — $50
• Merry Christmas — $25
• Jake, Zach, Maggie, Kaz, Robert, Ryley and Ramona — $30
• Peace everywhere, for everyone always — $100
• Merry Christmas Sue, Bill and Whitey — $25
• Spread the joy — $25
• In loving memory of our parents and brother Bob from Carl and Patty — $25
• Mark — $100
• In memory of Barbara Young, Marion Lapham, Joann and Nick Phillips — $20
• In loving memory of Jill Stefanik, Cioci June and Uncle Eddie — $25
• We miss you Jack from Mick — $100
• In memory of Ronald and Tina Cloutier — $50
• In memory of Paul Scagliarini who loved Christmas — $30
• Be kind and love one another, from the Wiggin family — $100
• In memory of William and Lilliam Meaney, love Kathy — $25
• In memory of Carol Meaney and Georgie Marshall, love Kathy — $25
• Anonymous — $50
• Merry Christmas Johnny and Christine, love Mom and Dad — $200
• In memory of the Hopkins and Horacek families — $100
• Meowy Christmas from Tau, Nu and Siggy — $20
• Meowy Christmas from Lina — $20
• In memory of Alyssa Sheehan Huntley — $75
• In loving memory of Ralph O’Brien, always in our hearts, from his family — $75
• In loving remembrance of my brothers, Michael and Jack from Joan — $25
• James — $100
• Bea — $100
• In memory of Holyoke teachers — $100
• Nancy — $50
• Remembering Mamie and Pop, Billy and Eileen, Jimmy and Marge Flip, Fang’s Jack, Bob, Bill and Don — $100
• In memory of Michael and Marion — $100
• In memory of Marvin and Edythe Howard — $100
• Westfield State University President’s Office staff — $115
• In memory of my wonderful parents at Christmas, Dana — $10
• In loving memory of my parents Ed and Ruth smith — $25
• In loving memory of a big-hearted teacher Dimitra Kastrinakic — $25
• Thank you St. Jude, Mary and Holy Spirit for answered prayers, JG — $25
• In memory of Frances Potter, Colvin and Tom Potter — $100
• In memory of Joseph F. and Claire E. Austin from Valley Farm — $25
• In memory of John Pradella — $25
• In memory of LT Michael P. Austin and CPL Roger C Gaughan from Valley Farm — $25
• In memory of Papa Bill and Moira who both loved Christmas — $100
• In memory of my husband Joe for Olivia — $50
• Anonymous — $100
• Anonymous — $3
• Fernando Rosado — $60
• Anonymous — $20
• David loved Christmas — $10
• Bill and Bobbi — $50
• In memory of Gloria and Marvin Jacobs — $25
• Merry Christmas from Tom and Lynne King — $100
• Merry Christmas — $100
• Jeffrey — $50
• Merry Christmas boys and girls, in honor of Marilyn Smith — $200
• Filip — $20
• In memory of our fathers Arthur North and John Paton — $50
• Merry Christmas to all — $50
• Mary Kay — $50
• In memory of Mary Ellen Kuzmeski, Andrew and Helen, Jessie, Jim, Dave and Pat Brown — $50
• Curtis — $50
• In loving memory of our mothers, Mary and Camille — $50
• In memory of my beautiful grandfather, John Paton — $50
• Merry Christmas — $50
• Wishing you a magical and blissful holiday, Merry Christmas from Connecticut Valley Artesian Well Co. — $300
• Mary Ann — $50
• In memory of Diane Anair — $25
• In memory of family loved ones no longer with us — $50
• Airiana — $20
• Ryan — $10
• With gratitude for Tracey, the Toy for Joy angel — $50

Received this week: $20,451
Total to date: $71,701
Still needed: $78,299