The marks the 89th season for Toy for Joy
SPRINGFIELD – The need for help is clearly great out there; Toy for Joy is aiding some 600 more Greater Springfield families that it did last year.
This marks the 89th annual Toy for Joy campaign; jointly sponsored by the Salvation Army and The Republican, the campaign is working to raise $150,000 by Dec. 23 to bring toys and gifts to children in need this holiday season.
The number of Greater Springfield families seeking help is at 4,410, said Maj. Thomas E. Perks, cocommander of the Greater Springfield Salvation Army Citadel, adding that those families represent 17,640 children.
Recent donations include $850 from Hampden County Physicians Associates.
Current donations tally to $62,392, leaving $87,608 to be raised.
Salvation Army units in Holyoke, Westfield, Northampton and Greenfield also report average or slightly higher numbers than last year, Perks said.
Hasbro, Inc. is joining Toy for Joy as a partner, providing some of the toys which will be distributed. Hasbro has a long history of helping families in Western Massachusetts during the holidays and this year is no different.
By teaming with the Toy for Joy campaign, Hasbro, The Republican and the Salvation Army bring over 100 combined years of experience managing programs that help families in need give their children a toy or game to unwrap on their holiday. Hasbro employees have been among the volunteers who have aided the Salvation Army with the registration of families and distribution of the toys and gifts.
For more information, call 733-1518. To make a contribution to the Toy for Joy fund, write: Toy for Joy, P.O. Box 3007, Springfield 01102.
Contributions may also be dropped off with the coupon to The Republican, 1860 Main St., Springfield, weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. through Dec. 23.
Here’s a list of the latest contributors:
In loving memory of Joseph and Claire Hopkins from Jane and Bill, $200
In honor of the best student at Thornton Burgess School, Beth Dunsmoor, $100
In gratitude for blessing, $100
In memory of Max and Gen Roos and Gino and Anita Bacchiocchi, $100
Merry Christmas from Skip and Jane, $50
In memory of Shane, love Mom, $50
In loving memory of my parents Frank and Peg Walker, $100
In lieu of office gifts, NUCE Training Windsor, $100
Thanks Toy for Joy, in memory of Ronnie, Kaz and Ann, $50
Merry Christmas Jace, Sean, Kate and Alex from Gram and Grampa F, $40
For Elizabeth with love from Grandma and Grandpa Kelleher, $50
Happy Holidays to a great staff, Norma, $50
Happy Holidays from Marianne and Bruce, $100
In memory of Gramma and Grampa and Ninnie and Frank Noni from Alyson and Christopher Mastrangelo, $30
For Mom, who always made Christmas special from Linda, $200
In memory of our parents, Ruth and Richard, Rita and Dennis, love Rich and Denise, $25
Love you and miss you Skippy, $20
Happy Birthday Jesus, $200
In memory of Grandma and Grandpa Berger and Memere and Pepere Nadeau, $50
In the name of Carol Rigali and family, Merry Christmas, $50
In the name of Sue and Tim Mulhern and family, Merry Christmas, $80
In the name of Eileen and Peter Sullivan and family, Merry Christmas, $80
In the name of Maria and Ed O’Leary, Merry Christmas, $80
Merry Christmas, $25
In loving memory of our deceased family members, $20
In loving memory of Mary Rae MacFarland from Keith and Jo, $25
In celebration of God’s blessings, $100
In memory of our parents from Dave and Diane, $100
In memory of Patrick, Catherine, Thomas, June, Harry and Helen, love Jim and Nancy, $100
In loving memory of Poppy, dearly missed this Christmas, love the O’Heir family, $25
In loving memory of Gramma, Grampa, Pebby and Auntie Helen, Merry Christmas, love the O’Heir family, $25
In loving memory of Raymond Kotfila and Brianna Donovan, $100
In memory of William Schmidt, $100
In loving memory of Noni from Bobeen, $25
In memory of Brittany, love Aunty Maureen, $25
In honor of our grandchildren, Samuel, Madeline, Eliza and Henry Fialky, $100
Merry Christmas Marissa, Gabby, Audrey, Bella, Maya and Layoh Rodriguez, $51.50
Christmas blessings for all, $10
To St. Anthony for prayers answered, KR, $10
Anonymous, $20.50
Makayla Caron and Makenzie Caron, daughters of Mikey Caron, $20
RBWS, $10
Anonymous, $10
In loving memory of Muffin, $10
In memory of my good friend Ben Larkin from Gary Mayer, $100
Sullivan, Keating and Moran Insurance Agency of Springfield, Inc., $250
On behalf of Abide, Inc. employees, Merry Christmas, $300
In lieu of swapping gifts, from Aqua Babes of Ludlow Boys and Girls Club, $110
Happy Holidays from Phylogic Healthcare employees, $140
Happy Holidays and best wishes for a wonderful year from Hampden County Physician Associates, $850
RECEIVED, $4,567
TOTAL TO DATE, $62,392
STILL NEEDED, $87,608