The Christmas spirit and the generosity of those who embrace it come in many manners and sizes.
The Toy for Joy Christmas campaign relies and thrives on such charitable support. An early online donation, sent with the simple yet poignant wish of “Happy Holidays from Susan” boosted the drive by a benevolent and kindhearted $5,000.
Countless children and families will be smiling this Christmas, and recipients of toys and books they would have otherwise been left without, because of Susan’s generous contribution.
The large donations make a difference — and so do all the others. No contribution is too big or too small. They all go to the children of Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties who count on Toy for Joy, now in its 102nd year, to allow them to share the holiday joy experienced by the more fortunate.
Toy for Joy is sponsored by the Salvation Army, and promoted and advertised by The Republican, Reminder Publishing, MassLive and El Pueblo Latino.
The campaign is also supported by volunteers from individuals and groups. Among those pitching in are Eversource and the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office.
“Eversource is again coming to our support, both in terms of volunteer support and donations,” said Danielle LaTaille, Salvation Army social services director. “Their volunteers will donate at least one day of their time and services. We are grateful for all the support from these organizations.”
With a campaign goal of $150,000, the donation season continues until Christmas Eve, Dec. 24. All donations will be recognized and published in The Republican and Reminder Publishing.
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 https://give.salvationarmy.org/give/212002/#!/donation/checkout
Registration took place in early November and is closed.
“We’re putting together our master list of clients and out schedule. We’ll be ready,” LaTaille said.
Information about pickup can be found at the registration link, which is https://www.salvationarmyma.org/toyforjoy.
Distribution will be at the Springfield, Holyoke and Greenfield locations of the Salvation Army. Details for pickup vary based on location, and those details for each site are available on the link.
Distribution days at the Springfield Citadel at 170 Pearl St. will be Dec. 11, 12, 16, 17 and 18. In Holyoke and Greenfield, distribution dates and times were assigned upon registration, which is required for all recipients.
Each child will receive toys, games and books. Applicants will receive an email confirmation with their toy distribution date and time.
They must bring their email confirmation and photo ID for pickup. Their pickup time will be listed under “Order Summary.”
More information can be obtained by calling 413-733-1518.
Donations received for the week of Nov. 21:
- Merry Christmas Molly F, in memory of Bob — $100
- To give a smile to a child — $50
- Merry Christmas from Peg — $20
- In memory of loved ones — $50
- Merry Christmas from Heather and Heidi — $100
- Love and happiness to a youngster — $100
- In memory of Edward J Bolow from his family — $50
- In loving memory of Tim and Dee-Jay Bassett, miss you — $30
- In memory of my brother Chris — $10
- In memory of the Moore and Siegel families, love Shirley — $5
- From Bob and Josie — $100
- To celebrate all of God’s gifts, Merry Christmas — $200
- In memory of Helen A. Knight — $20
- Merry Christmas, in memory of the Hosmers — $25
- In memory of Dwight and Elva Viggers — $25
- For our grandchildren, Sarah, Parker, Alex, Sophie and Stella — $25
- In loving memory of Tim Dowd from his family — $100
- In memory of our parents and sister Linda — $100
- In memory of Jean and Durham Caldwell — $100
- Cheryl — $15
- BOE of Eastview Heights — $200
- Merry Christmas from Izzy and Reese — $100
- Anonymous — $15
- In memory of Joe Caldwell — $50
- Merry Christmas from Ella, Emmie and Gabe — $200
- To help make Christmas merrier from Barbara —$100
- To all that have enriched my life, love FAB — $65
- Every child deserves a toy from Denise — $50
- Merry Christmas from the MacArthur family — $100
- Bless the children in need — $20
- Remembering Robbie — $100
- In loving memory of my husband Ed from Mary — $25
- For Stephen — $50
- In loving memory of my husband Harold from Patricia — $50
- In loving memory of Adele, Jane and Jean Jamroz — $100
- Grateful for Cora and Amelia — $100
- Enjoy the holidays — $18
- Thank you St. Jude from Pat — $10
- In loving memory of my parents Rena and Mike Panetta — $50
- In memory of Lester and Carolyn Fontaine — $250
- In memory of Hugo, Rose and Roger Sedran and Phillip and Annie Mirarchi — $100
- In loving memory of Henry C. and Ethel E. Gibson, Joseph R. and Dorothy R. Braun, Joseph M. Braun and Carole Clarke — $200
- In memory of Roger and Nancy Gauthier — $100
- From Diane — $25
- From Jane — $25
- Happy Holidays from Susan — $5,000
- In loving memory of Annmarie and Jimmy Kennedy — $100
- Happy Holidays from Taryn — $25
- From Susan — $25
- In memory of John and Ceilia Zwiercan — $50
- In memory of Sally Drucker — $18
- Julien — $25
- Vivian — $50
- Derek — $10
- Dominic — $5
- By Malory Morrison in credit for Community Service hours at East long High school — $15
- In memory of Betty Schrager — $250
- In memory of my parents, Ken and Mary Lapan. — $100
- Anonymous — $1
- In memory of best friend Prof. Doug Sharpe, Southwick MA — $1
- In memory and honor of Claudia who shared her joy to all — $100
- Thank you Moma for always making Christmas special, love the Freedmans — $600
Received this week: $9,188
Total to date: $10,483
Still needed: $139,517
