While many people flooded stores on Black Friday, hovered over laptops on Cyber Monday to buy the latest Sony PlayStation or Apple tablet, others are struggling just to find enough for food and a gift or two.
SPRINGFIELD -- While many people flooded stores on Black Friday and hovered over laptops on Cyber Monday to buy the latest Sony PlayStation or Apple tablet, others are struggling just to find enough money for food and a gift or two.
Two area families who are formerly homeless say despite their struggles they are grateful for what they have -- like a roof over their heads, newly found jobs and hope for the future.
"The need for social services has been high this year," said Social Services Director Danielle LaTaille of the Salvation Army, the agency that registers people for the Toy for Joy program.
The collaborative program with The Republican and MassLive brings holiday gifts to families in need in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties. The goal is to raise $150,000 by Christmas Eve. Donations can be made online here.
In an email, LaTaille wrote that, with the influx of Hurricane Maria evacuees from Puerto Rico, there has been increased demand for emergency food pantry, clothing and furniture voucher, and energy assistance programs.
And when it comes to toys, the need is high, yet donations have been down. More than 1,500 families are registered for Toy for Joy this year, she wrote.
The Center for Human Development is also seeing more people in need.
"The state of need becomes more acute around the holidays because families who already have little are trying to make the season special in some way, especially for kids, and because the surrounding social and media environment is so intensely focused on buying and giving presents," John Roberson, vice president of Children and Family Services for CHD, said in a statement.
"Both kids and parents notice that, and that can be a huge additional stressor," he said.
Corrine Lavoice has four kids and lives with the father of her fourth child in an apartment in Springfield through CHD's permanent supportive housing program after being homeless for a time. She signed up for Toy for Joy this year.
She said she and her partner struggled to find work, but have both landed jobs.
Lavoice said she lost her previous job because of ongoing court issues involving a former partner, as well as coping with health care needs for her oldest daughter, who is soon to be 16. "My kids come first," she said.
Now she is working for a cleaning service and her partner empties the oil from kitchens at restaurants and schools. It's not full time and both would like more hours. But, Lavoice said, "I'm grateful to have my job. Work is hard to find."
They work back-to-back shifts so one of them is home with their kids.
She said the older kids tell her not to worry about presents for them and instead focus on the two youngest, who at 5 and 7 still believe in Santa Claus.
"We do the best we can," Lavoice said. "They'll be happy to get a few things."
Her family caseworker, Dee Canales, said that attitude "is a testament to how (Lavoice is) parenting her children." She said the kids are humble.
"We're grateful for what we have," Lavoice said. "We have a roof over our head. Heat." And she said, "I keep working hard to make it better."
Melissa Boyer and her husband Michael have lived in a Chicopee apartment for the last three years after being homeless for a spell.
She struggled with opioid addiction. She said she started taking opioids for a bad back and then moved on to heroin when she could no longer get a prescription.
She ended up serving a month's jail time after not showing up to a court appearance, and her husband lost his job trying to help her get healthy. She said he threatened to divorce her if she didn't get clean. She did.
But she also had eight strokes and was diagnosed with a seizure disorder, which is impeding her ability to find a job.
Her husband, who had been a gravedigger for 18 years, just found work as a landscaper. She's not sure what will happen this winter, although he will be on a plow crew.
With limited finances, "Christmas has always been hard," Boyer said. In years past, the family would celebrate with gifts once they got their tax refunds. But this year, she said her 4-year-old son Phoenix "knows Christmas is on a certain day" so they will celebrate on that day.
She said her two other children - 15 and 19 - tell her, "Don't worry about us. Worry about Phoenix." She said Phoenix will see toys on TV and say, "I want that."
Sometimes seeing others being able to buy gifts for Christmas is hard. "I'm doing the best I can with what I can," she said. "I really, really, want to be working."
When neither had jobs, they got help from their church -- they are members of the Church of Latter-Day Saints. The church helped with rent and heating. They don't judge, she said.
She said they get food from a food bank in Worcester where she volunteers. Her church organizes trips there and members pick her up because she can no longer drive.
While it's not paid work, she said she likes "to help other people. It makes you feel good inside."
This Christmas, they will do what they can for Phoenix. She and her husband won't exchange presents and she said they are both fine with that.
This year children signed up for Toy for Joy will receive at least one toy and one book thanks to a collaboration with the Reading Success by 4th Grade initiative of the Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation. This is the second year the foundation is ensuring each child receives a new book.
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.
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.
Today's Contributions |
Amount |
From all of us at Hale Financial Planning Group |
345 |
With gratitude for God's blessings |
25 |
Merry Christmas and enjoy |
10 |
Wishing everyone peace, love and joy |
25 |
In loving memory of the Shea and Bewsee families, JS |
50 |
In memory of my parents Carmela and Filippo, love Sue |
25 |
In memory of my parents Helen and Louie, love Buzz |
20 |
In memory of Victor and Laura Bleau |
50 |
In loving memory of Billy Bond and Scott Skrzyniarz from their family |
25 |
Gail |
50 |
Every child should have a gift at this time of year, Hanukah and Christmas |
200 |
In memory of Pasha |
100 |
Joan and Bill |
25 |
In thanksgiving for all my blessings from Yvette |
10 |
In memory of two loving parents from Karen |
20 |
In loving memory of my mother Cecelia and brother Norman from Shirley |
30 |
Kevin Fitzgerald, watch over your family and friends from above |
25 |
Tom and Lois |
200 |
In honor of our 10 year old granddaughter |
25 |
In thanksgiving for my grandchildren, the fabulous five |
20 |
In memory of family members who have passed away, Dottie |
25 |
Sadly missed by his father, brother, sisters and family |
25 |
Loving memory of my wife Rosina and Cappy, Grandma Goodrich |
50 |
In memory of my brother Stephen, love Buzz |
10 |
God bless all children |
25 |
In loving memory of Frank J Kenney Sr., love Donna |
20 |
To honor the gift of Cora and Amelia |
100 |
Hoping children learn the true meaning of Christmas, Holly Dorsey |
10 |
Merry Christmas baby Izzy |
25 |
In loving memory of Debby Curry, RIP, love Mom |
25 |
In memory of Ken Sr |
20 |
In memory of our loved ones, Boe's of Eastview Heights |
175 |
Happy Holidays from Mark and Sue |
200 |
Have a happy day |
40 |
In memory of Doris Kwisnek and Marilyn Cyr, Merry Christmas |
20 |
In loving memory of George and Helen Liptak |
100 |
Frances |
50 |
In memory of Richard E Mastey, Craig and Darlene Staples |
50 |
In memory of Carmella Staples, Craig and Darlene Staples |
50 |
Merry Christmas, love Peggy |
25 |
Thank you Jesus for prayers answered and those not answered |
50 |
In memory of my brothers and parents |
25 |
Quinn and Rowan |
100 |
For Sandy Rogers and Judy Savas |
50 |
Merry Christmas George, Charlie and Henry Payne |
25 |
In memory of Dora who loved Christmas from Stephen |
25 |
Anonymous |
100 |
In memory of Sid Harvey from his loving family |
25 |
In memory of deceased family members from Richard and Ellen |
50 |
In memory of Barbara Grabiec-Gaskill, sadly missed |
50 |
In memory of Maurice W Dickey and Marion Melius Dickey "Qwippy Qwee" |
150 |
In loving memory of Cheryl Ann Levy |
25 |
In memory of my parents Harry and Alice |
25 |
Audrey |
20 |
Merry Christmas and blessings to the children |
15 |
Merry Christmas from the Sbalbi family |
50 |
In memory of Tom and Joe, love Priscilla and Jess |
20 |
Anonymous |
25 |
From the Donoghue family |
250 |
Grace |
25 |
So every child will believe |
50 |
Merry Christmas Xavier, love Grandma Galvin |
25 |
Jim and Sally |
25 |
In memory of Joe Caldwell |
50 |
Remembering our deceased friends and family members and honoring all who are serving or have served our country, thank you from Dennis and Marie |
20 |
In appreciation of our three beautiful and healthy grandchildren, Madeleine, Benjamin and Brady, we love you so much, Merry Christmas from Grammy Marie and Grampa Dennis |
20 |
In loving memory of Joe, Betty and Ronnie Boyer and Joe and Elvira Orlando, love and miss you and always in our hearts from Marie and Dennis |
20 |
Halina |
25 |
In memory of James Borgo |
10 |
To honor our blessings, Jadon, Zoe, Cameron, Violet and Charlie |
25 |
Merry Christmas to Amber, Betsy and GPS |
25 |
Anonymous |
100 |
Anonymous |
20 |
From the Rakas-Jackson family |
100 |
Anonymous |
25 |
In memory of George W Jr. and Phyllis Malone |
100 |
Mill Valley Snowmobile Club |
50 |
Paula and Peter |
20 |
In memory of Francine Hawk from St. Cecilia Parish |
100 |
In memory of James A Fletcher and Joseph E Marinello from Fletcher Sewer and Drain Inc. |
200 |
From Brian and Evelyn Randall |
300 |
In memory of Ruth LaBelle who always remained a child at heart, from the employees of Direct Results |
500 |
|
|
RECEIVED |
$5,240 |
TOTAL TO DATE |
$33,110 |
STILL NEEDED |
$116,890 |