The 2024 Toy for Joy campaign has officially ended, but any donations received after the Christmas Eve deadline will be accepted.
Final figures for the 102nd year of the drive are not yet in, but the sponsoring Salvation Army, and the media outlets promoting and supporting the drive, again thank all those individuals, companies and organizations that answered the call to help deserving children of families in need.
The Springfield citadel of the Salvation Army served about 1,600 families and between 3,500 and 4,000 children. Citadels in Holyoke and Greenfield also served the area’s children from Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties.
The final list of donors will run in print and online on or around New Year’s Day, or in the first days of 2025. Toy for Joy was promoted and advertised by The Republican, Reminder Publishing, MassLive and El Pueblo Latino.
Among the December donors, as usual, was the All States Transport trucking company in Springfield. Even while facing growing challenges within his industry, All States owner William “Billy” Kingston has never wavered in his company’s support for the campaign, and 2024 was no exception.
In recent years, in fact, the company has increased its donation. This year, a generous $7,500 was contributed, providing more proof that no matter what challenge his successful business confronts, Kingston and his loyal team know the children of the region are facing their own challenges every year.
The joy of receiving books, games and toys that may otherwise be out of their reach makes this all the more worthwhile, according to Kingston.
The donation this year, which matched the 2023 contribution, more than tripled what All States Transport had been donating just a few years ago.
“We’re more than happy to help. A lot of people out there are having a hard time,” Kingston said.
When he’s not thinking of the kids, the trucking and transport business occupies Kingston’s thoughts.
“Industries have good years and tough years, and ours is no different. In some ways, it’s becoming more difficult to operate, but we’re holding up pretty well, we’re not complaining,” he said. “As always, we were thrilled to be part of Toy for Joy. It’s a cause we have always believed in, and still do.”
In addition to the sponsoring Salvation Army and its media partners, Toy for Joy was 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.
Many donors chose to offer their help with a dose of humility. Recent contributions included a generous $500 from “Katherine,” and one $1,000 donation was sent anonymously.
Those who worked on the 102nd edition of Toy for Joy — and those families and children whose Christmas was made happier by the support — thank every single donor who participated.
Donations received this week:
- Merry Christmas from Wel-Design Alarm Systems, Inc, — $600
- In memory of Joseph E. Marinello, 20th anniversary of his death, from Fletcher Sewer & Drain Inc. — $200
- Merry Christmas to all from Steve — $200
- In memory of Brent — $52
- Paul and Joyce — $20
- In memory of Genevieve Vaz from Lori — $20
- In loving memory of our Avos Lamas and Pereira and Tio Nelson, Brian and Matthew — $100
- Merry Christmas to all the children, Noah, Camila, Lana, Jonas and Hanna — $150
- Merry Christmas from Jean and Paul — $25
- Happy Christmas from Debbie — $50
- In loving memory of Samuel and Caroline Gledhill — $10
- In loving memory of Mary Stilwell — $10
- In loving memory of Michael Lynch — $10
- In loving memory of Michael Quinlivan — $10
- Esther, Jack, Millie and Roland, in memory of — $20
- God bless all — $25
- In memory of Betty O’Connor — $10
- In memory of Harrison James Ryan, beloved son, Meg and Dave Ryan — $25
- In memory of our grandparents, love Lisa and Mary — $20
- In memory of Andy Mackie, a great guy — $10
- In memory of my parents Hazel and Joe Phillips, Suffield CT — $10
- In memory of the Potter family, Suffield CT — $10
- In memory of Estelle, Manya, Marion and Bev from Jeri, Judi, Suzie, Natalie, Patty, Kelly and Teri — $70
- Anonymous — $35
- In loving memory of Eugene and Cecilia O’Shea and Sally Thorn O’Shea — $150
- In memory of Jack Ziemba from the Kecki’s — $50
- In loving memory of Terry, Chick, Rose, Stan, Linda and George — $30
- Merry Christmas from Ed and Viv — $50
- Christmas joy and New Year blessings to all — $75
- In loving memory of Mike and Lee Roy Rinehart — $50
- Carol — $25
- Margaret — $50
- In loving memory of our parents Pat and Gary K. — $25
- Merry Christmas to all the children from Bob and Priscilla — $100
- In loving memory of Jason McDiarmid, now reunited with his grandparents — $99
- Merry Christmas Hunter, Jackie, Rylee, Zoe, Amirah, Charlotte, Benjamin, Addelaide, Eloise, Lucas and Amelia — $55
- In honor of Mabue Sharif — $300
- In loving memory of Nana, Pepe and Auntie Mare, love Grace and Faith — $100
- Thank you St. Jude, CO — $25
- In memory of our parents from Ann and Ted — $25
- Merry Christmas to my beautiful granddaughters Taylor, Mya and Ava from Meme — $25
- In memory of Gramps C, Dad K, Dad C, and Mom C and Edwin K who loved children — $25
- In honor of Zoe, Max, Liam and Jordan — $40
- Merry Christmas from Todd — $100
- In loving memory of my parents Stanley and Stella Borowik from daughter Marilyn — $25
- In loving memory of Walter and Amelia Haryasz, daughter in law, Marilyn — $25
- In loving memory of my beloved husband, Edward Haryasz, love always Marilyn — $50
- In memory of family that has passed from Debra and John — $35
- Merry Christmas Freddy — $10
- Merry Christmas from Teresa — $25
- To Mary, Stella and Vicki, l love and miss you from Sandy — $30
- Pa, Ma, Gwen, Bob, Doug and Cay, we love and miss you from Terry and Sandy — $30
- Dad, Mom, Mel and Angie, we love and miss you from Sandy and Terry — $30
- Merry Christmas — $100
- Merry Christmas to all — $300
- Go the extra smile, miss you — $75
- In memory of Ernie who loved Christmas and his family, Patty, Jill, Sherry, Dawn, Charlotte, Cal, Emmy, Bennett and Mara — $100
- In memory of Sr. Mary Lou Brennan — $25
- Peace to all — $100
- All kids deserve a Merry Christmas, N and T — $50
- Dave Roberts steals 2004, repeat 2024, Steve buys the Desoto, Go Dodgers — $250
- Charles — $20
- Merry Christmas from the Gomez kids — $40
- In memory of Dot Hammond — $50
- For the kids — $25
- In memory of Joan — $20
- In memory of Clifford and Marguerite Pope and Wilfred and Edna Langtange — $100
- Merry Christmas from Fiona, Evie and Gwenny — $50
- In memory of my dad Harry Fekeris — $20
- Merry Christmas — $100
- Love you Jesus — $20
- In memory of Wilbraham friends, Tom Sullivan, Rick Bates and Sandy B. Clark — $100
- In memory of Ludlow Allen, Yelle, Silveri and Miller families — $100
- Merry Christmas Springfield — $100
- Chester — $100
- In memory of Jennie and Walter Lysick— $25
- In memory of Ray, love Sue — $50
- In loving memory of Betty J Evans, love Lynne and Alan — $25
- For the children, Pathfinder Regional School Committee and superintendent Mr. Duda — $315
- In loving memory of granddaughter Olivia Ross from Grammy and Grampy — $100
- In loving memory of my father William LaRochelle — $100
- In memory of my husband Bill and my son David — $50
- In memory of my parents James and Mary McAleer — $25
- In memory and gratitude for all loved ones — $20
- Merry Christmas to all, love Gianna, Jillian, Michael and Ben — $100
- In loving memory of my husband Frank, love Shirley — $25
- In memory of Mom, Dad, Stubby and Suzy from Ray — $100
- Merry Christmas to all from Ryan, Lauryn, Rachel and Ashley — $25
- Thank you St. Jude for favors granted, Joni — $25
- In memory of my mom, Blanche E. Roberts, Jan. 25, 1907-Sept. 9, 2001, so dearly loved, so sadly missed — $40
- In memory of my precious son Tim Smith, Oct. 18 1960-Nov. 3, 1980, all my love Mom — $43
- In memory of my dad, Michael A. Roberts, May 22, 1907-June 6, 1985 — $40
- In memory of Tiger, Tasha, Bandit, Candy, Nero, Gypsy, Buffy, Buford, Smitty, Missy and Skeeter — $40
- Thank you St. Anthony for favors granted — $25
- In memory of Freddie Facchini — $40
- In memory of my brother Mike Roberts — $40
- In memory of William “Billy” O’Connell — $40
- In memory of my Mom and dad, Merry Christmas from Paul — $20
- Remembering Suki and Bruno, the Christmas pups — $25
- In honor of Fotini, love YiaYia Papou and Theo Tommy — $50
- In memory of Auntie Sue for the 4 K’s — $50
- In loving memory of my son Paul Robert — $25
- For our parents Bill and Peg and Helen from C. — $25
- Jane — $200
- In memory of James and Julie Fitzgerald — $50
- In loving memory of Craig, who made life special — $75
- In loving memory of three sisters, Tillie, Orpha and MinnieMae — $75
- In honor of my dad who contributed every year — $25
- In memory of Dave, Bridie, Kevin and Paul — $100
- As John Lennon would say “Happy Christmas” — $200
- In memory of the Martone family Christmas parties — $50
- In memory of my brother Paul Skowera — $25
- Happy Holidays from Nicole Pierce — $100
- In memory of Grandma and Pops, Nana and Papa, love Christopher and Katie — $25
- Enjoy, from Nancy and Dan — $200
- In honor of Sasha and Tobey — $20
- In memory of Uncle Steve — $50
- In memory of our grandparents from Bob and Gini — $50
- Remembrance of Ceil and John and Grace and Sparky — $50
- Merry Christmas from our family from Jan and Bernadette Piepul — $200
- In memory of Joe and Eileen Leahy from their family — $25
- In memory of Maurice and Kathleen Murphy from their family — $25
- In memory of Dan and Rita Manning from their family — $25
- In memory of Christy and Elizabeth Karr from their family — $25
- Remembering Ed and Jane Gruszka and members of the Bednarz/Gruszka families — $250
- In memory of our friend and colleague, Robin Morris and all members of the DWPM family we carry in our hearts, from Doherty, Wallace, Pillsbury and Murphy PC — $1120
- Paul and Peter — $25
- From David S — $75
- In memory of singer songwriter Francoise Hardy — $20
- Happy Holidays from the Mark Twain Senior Housing Gang — $1
- Mom and Dad Keniston, Bobby, Joey, Fred, Richard, Barbara Keniston Pelosi, my husband Tony Minchella, granddaughter Lauren Minchella, Mary and Maura Keniston from Marion Minchella — $25
- For David — $10
- In honor of Kenneth and Agatha Moorehead — $50
- From J Noelle Owens — $100
- Merry Christmas from Karen — $300
- Remembering family and friends past and present at Christmastime. — $285
- Merry Christmas Trish and Bob Griffiths — $100
- In honor of Levi Gillespie — $100
- In memory of our parents Mary and Joseph Bocchino and Al and Millie Domaingue — $50
- In memory of our parents, Kevin and Sue — $100
- Holly — $25
- Merry and Blessed Christmas — $50
- In loving memory of Christopher J Knight, miss you every day, Mom, Dad and Brian — $40
- In memory of Richard Rock. — $50
- In memory of Claire and Connie Lynch — $100
- For our grandchildren, Abigail and Gabriel — $100
- Brian — $75
- In honor of Jim and Patty Foard — $100
- In memory of Al and Velma Farland — $100
- Merry Christmas Love Reis, Will, Hunter, Henry and Charlie —$200
- In memory of Shelby Mase — $100
- Remembering my parents from Melinda — $100
- In memory of Augie and Dee Costa — $500
- Sheila — $25
- In memory Mary Schmidt — $25
- In memory Eileen Olszewski — $50
- Glen — $50
- Wayne — $35
- In memory of the Ford and Smith Families — $100
- Katherine — $500
- Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all deserving children — $25
- Mark — $100
- From Hope for Youth & Families Foundation — $10000
- From Maria — $300
- Merry Christmas from our family to yours — $25
- In honor of MiraVista Staff — $300
- Rory — $100
- In honor of Helen and Billy Lynch — $25
- Wishing peace and love to all — $500
- In honor of Walker Daniel our greatest gift — $50
- In memory of Fran Warner — $25
- In memory of Matante Madeleine Carpenter — $50
- In memory of Claire Loud — $25
- From Steve Perrault and Madeline Novak — $100
- In memory of Buddy and Kit Miller — $25
- In memory of Missy S — $150
- In memory of Richard and Joan Briggs — $100
- Thank you for the blessing of wonderful neighbors from Donna — $25
Received this week: $25,140
Total to date: $96,841
Still needed: $53,159
