Donations buoy the Toy for Joy program.
For the Toy for Joy campaign, financial contributions mean happy families.
Now in its 96th year, the campaign annually seeks to raise money to purchase Christmas presents for families throughout Western Massachusetts. It is a collaborative effort between the Salvation Army, The Republican and MassLive.
The goal this year is to raise $150,000 by Christmas Eve.
"The past couple of years we've just gone over $100,000," said Danielle LaTaille, social services director for the Salvation Army, and a longtime organizer for the event.
These donations translate directly into Christmas presents for families who need them, and, in a tradition continuing for the second year, each child will receive a new book, thanks, in particular, to support from the Reading Success by 4th Grade initiative of the Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation.
All families who benefit from Toy for Joy must document proof of need at the time of registration. Registration got underway yesterday in Springfield and begins today at Salvation Army units in Holyoke and Greenfield.
"We really try to go with what's popular," said LaTaille. Personal experience can help with this, she said. "I have a 5-year-old son and a 10-month-old daughter and nieces and nephews, so we kind of know what's popular," she said.
The program provides a different set of toys for each age range group, starting with 0-11 months old to 13-16-year-old children. Every child of the same gender and age range gets the same toys.
"We just try to fit each age range with something that we think the kids would enjoy," she said. "We try to really pick a quality toy, something that's going to really last for them."
In recent years, Toy for Joy has also begun giving out books. This year the campaign is partnering with the Reading Success by 4th Grade initiative of the Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation for a second year to help ensure each child receives a new book.
LaTaille said that the event's organizers try to pick books that are engaging, ones that are "fun and interactive" for children whose attention may also be captured by iPhones or television.
"We really try to make the books fun and exciting so that kids build a love of reading," she said.
To make a contribution to the Toy for Joy fund, write: Toy for Joy, 1860 Main St., Springfield, MA 01101. Contributions may also be dropped off with the coupon which accompanies this story to The Republican, 1860 Main St., Springfield, weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. through noon on Dec. 21.
For the third year in a row, Pride Stores is partnering with Toy for Joy. Pride locations in Western Massachusetts and northern Connecticut will rally its customers in November and December to help contribute to Toy for Joy. Customers can go into any Pride in the area and purchase a $1, $5 or $10 donation card for Toy for Joy.
TOY FOR JOY REGISTRATION
Here are the times for families to register at Salvation Army sites for the 96th annual Toy for Joy campaign. The Springfield citadel will assist families whose communities are not listed below:
Greater Springfield Citadel: 170 Pearl St., Springfield; Registration: November 26, 27, 28. 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., for info, call (413) 733-1518, serves Agawam, East Longmeadow, Easthampton, Longmeadow, Ludlow, Northampton, Palmer, Monson, Springfield, Ware, West Springfield, Wilbraham, Westfield, Southwick, Russell and Belchertown;
Holyoke: 271 Appleton St., Holyoke; Registration: November 27 and 28, 9 a.m.- 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. - 3 p.m., for info, call (413) 532-6312, serves Holyoke, South Hadley, Granby and Chicopee;
Greenfield: 72 Chapman St., Greenfield; Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. until December 8th, for info, call (413) 773-3154, serves all Franklin County communities;
Required documentation: Photo ID for parent/guardian, proof of address dated within last 30 days, birth certificates or passports for each child 16 years and younger and proof of financial need (MassHealth, WIC card, EBT card, current pay stub, or other acceptable documentation).