Why do so many people open their hearts to children through the Toy for Joy campaign?
Why, in a world of constant change, is the drive still going strong after 101 years?
There are so many reasons to give, and there is time, but not much time. The campaign is nearing its traditional Christmas Eve deadline.
The campaign goal of $150,000 is ambitious, but that is because the need is great. It’s the unfortunate truth and no secret that some children and families are left out of the joy of receiving a Christmas gift, through no fault of their own.
Some donors give to honor friends or loved ones who have passed on, as I did this year. Others understand that the “spirit of giving” is more than just a phrase.
It’s a view of how a life can be lived and a society can be nourished. Receiving toys and books thanks to donors who the recipients have never met restores the faith these people have in their community, their region and people in general.
I’ve seen that over and over in the years I’ve been affiliated with Toy for Joy. The happy faces of recipients upon receiving their gift packages is tonic for the soul – the recipients, and the donors.
Most of us never meet the children who benefit from the generosity of individual or corporate donations. There’s a purity in that type of giving, and it’s fueled by the knowledge that all donations go directly to where the donors intended – to the children, thanks to volunteers and dedicated public servants who make sure administrative costs don’t eat away at the donations.
For several years, I wrote about Toy for Joy, but I didn’t contribute. I don’t really know why, and to some extent, I regret it.
This year’s donation made me feel warm and proud, as a true participant to meaningful human decency. Many others who give were once recipients themselves, and they never forgot how meaningful Toy for Joy was to their lives, no matter how many years or decades ago it happened.
With time on the campaign running short, the children of our region are counting on their fellow citizens. Not once have I ever met an individual or corporate leader who had second thoughts about their donation, other than, perhaps, wishing they could have contributed more.
Every donation, large or small, goes to the cause. There is no such thing as a donation that is too small.
Toy for Joy is truly a community effort. It helps children and families in need in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties.
Each eligible child 16 and under received a high-quality toy and an age-appropriate book. The literacy component goes hand-in-hand with the joy of receiving toys, and both children and their parents love it.
There is still time to be part of a wonderful century-old (plus one) holiday tradition.
Toy for Joy is sponsored collaboratively by the Salvation Army, The Republican, Reminders Publishing, El Pueblo Latino and MassLive. Gifts were distributed at Salvation Army locations in Springfield, Holyoke and Chicopee.
The coupon published with this story 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 SalvationArmyma.org/toyforjoydonation.
Ron Chimelis is retired as a staff writer with The Republican. He may be reached by email to rchimelis@repub.com.
Here is the list of recent contributions:
Remembering the Christmas truce of 1914. Repeatable???? from 1969 AMX $25
Wife Susie, Ma, K., Dad, K., Ma, B., Dad, B., Chassie, Ragz, Shy, Sparky, Taste Tempter, Sparkle Tune $10
For all the kids $100
In memory of Thomas Gaudrault. Love, your friends and family. $600
Merry Christmas kids $200
In memory of Mom and Dad from Thomas $100
In memory of Leanne Morrissey $20
In loving memory of Leanne Morrissey whose favorite holiday was Christmas. $250
Robert $25
John $25
In honor of the Butternut Walkers of Westfield $200
In memory of Mary Ellen Kuzmeski, Andrew and Helen Brown, Jessie Brown, Jim Brown and David and Pat Brown $50
Merry Christmas from Ann Marie, Brian and Sammie $100
In loving memory of my mother, Gloria Malboeuf Boudah, and my brother, Gary Boudah, from Doreen and Roland Messier $50
In honor of Edgar and Bertha Malboeuf from Doreen $50
In loving memory of Rosaire and Rollande Messier from Roland and Doreen Messier $50
Tracy $100
In memory of Jeannie H. $50
In honor of Ethan, Logan, Emilia, Wyatt, and Lucy from Nana and Dziadziu $100
Filip $10
In honor of Bentley Kikin $50
In memory of Francis Martel $100
Peter $150
Merry Christmas to all the little ones from Rosemary and Richard $50
In memory of my parents. Love, peace, hope and faith from Sue $20
From Frank amd Sue $100
In loving memory of Craig who made life special $75
Merry Christmas to our parents. We miss you very much, from Mark and Deb $100
In loving memory of family who have passed on. Peace, from Stephanie and Michelle Pirsoni $50
In memory of Glenn Peter Lacey, our angel, from Peter and Jill Lacey $50
In memory of Maria R. Sadly missed by Mary and Laura $400
In loving memory of Mike C., Ken M., and Jeff P. $75
For peace on earth, from Diane $25
Merry Christmas, from Keith and Joanne $50
Merry Christmas to all the children from Linda $50
In loving memory of A. Ronald Paquin and Joanne C. Paquin, from their daughter Sandy $100
Lena and Dominic S. $100
Merry Christmas from Hunter, Jackie, Rylee, Zoe, Amirah, Charlotte and Ben $35
In loving memory of our grandparents, from Lisa and Mary $20
Merry Christmas to all from Nancy $250
In loving memory of our parents, Pat and Gary K. $25
In memory of Madeline, love to dear friends $100
To honor all our grandchildren, from Earl and Judith $75
In loving memory to Paul, Dad, Charles, Jim and Wayne Christmas blessings to all children. Peace, love and joy, Charlotte $20
In memory of my husband Bill and son David, from Evelyn $50
In memory of Jean Ryan $25
Anonymous $50
My friends gone home, Lucy and Pepper $25
In memory of our parents Bill and Peg, Frank and Helen $25
In loving memory of Max A. Gen Roos and Gina and Anita Bacchiocchi $100
In memory of Alfred, Elsie, Leonard, Jean and Mark $75
In memory of Peter, Josephine, Joseph, Margaret and Michael $75
In memorial for the Macri sisters, Carmela, Conchetta, Rose, Mary, Margaret – 1908-2021 $50
Have a very merry Christmas, from Margaret $50
In loving memory of John and Catherine Leahy who loved Christmas. Miss you, from your family $50
May your blessings be many. Merry Christmas! $25
In memory of deceased members of Leraci and Messier families. Love, Sue and Lou $25
In memory of my parents Helen and Louis. Love, Buzz $20
From Harold $25
From Diane and Stephen $50
In remembrance of Swanee, Whitey and Heavy Head $50
In memory of Gramma Marion, with love from Gramma Sally $200
From Mark and Ann $1,000
In lieu of gifts to the Howe family. Merry Christmas from Grandson Jacot $75
In memory of my husband Edward Jacot. Merry Christmas $50
In memory of our son Tony “MOMO” Malone $200
In memory of Phyllis and George W. Malone Jr. $150
In memory of Annie and Elmer W. Porter Sr. $150
May the children have a nice holiday from Lorraine $35
In memory of Buster, Oreo, Missy, Pebbles and Shaina $25
Merry Christmas from Jim and Sally $50
From Mark $250
In loving memory of Bill and Theresa Chadwick $100
Merry Christmas. Love, Angelia $20
Merry Christmas, Bill $200
Merry Christmas, Barry and Danny $200
Merry Christmas Mom and Dad $200
In memory of “Freddie Mac” $50
In loving memory of our parents, from Carl and Patty $50
In memory of Theresa DiRico $50.
In memory of Ernie, who loved Christmas, and his family, Patty, Jill, Sherry, Dawn, Charlotte, Cal, Emmy, Bennett, Joey and Shaun. $100
For Sy Becker. We’ll miss you old buddy. $20
Blessings and peace for all, from Janet $30
In memory of Rev. Tim Carlton. He loved children $20
Hoping your dreams come true from Christine $40
In memory of Kathleen “Mimi” O’Brien who loved Christmas and all children, with love from her grandchildren McKenna, Casey, Gracie, Hannah, Maggie and Kerry (the Tank) $1,000
In memory of our parents Harry and Alice $25
In honor of Grandkids Zoe, Max, Luma and Jordan $40
In memory of John Scagliarini who loved Christmas $100
From Liam, Dillon, Danica, Bryan and Michael $50
In loving memory of Dad, Mom, Brother Gary and Auntie T. $30
In honor of our six grandchildren at Christmas, from Connie and Bob $50
In loving memory of my beloved husband, Edward Haryasz. Love always, Marilyn $50
In loving memory of Walter and Amelia Haryasz, daughter-in-law, Marilyn $25
In loving memory of my parents, Stanley and Stella Borowik, from daughter, Marilyn $25
In memory of Raymond Besko, from wife Mary $20
In loving memory of Joseph Morrison from Pam, Sue and Peter $100
On behalf of Cindy Gray in honor of Donna Andre $50.
In loving memory of John D. O’Neil, Sr., Mary O’Neil, Lucy O’Neil and Yvonne Nelson. Merry Christmas $25
In loving memory of Sheila O’Neil-Ryan, John D. O’Neil, Jr. and Kevin and Kathleen O’Neil. Merry Christmas $25
Merry Christmas Jackson and Charlotte. Love Mommy and Papa Bob $25
In loving memory of Ann Marie Martin, Dec. 17, 1966 – Aug. 22, 1979. Love, Mom, Dad, Terry and John $25
In loving memory of Eileen Martin Carvalho, Aug. 6, 1965 – Nov. 29, 2023. Love Mom, Dad, Terry and John $25
In memory of my Dad who honored his parents every year from Judy $25
Merry Christmas in heaven to Vo-Vo Lilly, Vo-Vo Binda and Vo-Vo Joe from Cole and Ava $25
God bless our military men and women and law enforcement men and women $100
In memory of our angel Dad and Grampa Tom $50
In memory of Nick, Samantha and baby DeFeo, Granny and Granpa $100
In memory of Mae Egan $10
Merry Christmas Wally and Jeff. Love, Joyce $50
Merry Christmas to all from Ryan, Lauryn, Rachel and Ashley $25
In memory of Ida Shea and Rita Maruca with love from George and Karen Shea $150
Anonymous $30
Charles and Mary $25
In memory of Richie who loved kids and Christmas $75
In memory of our loved ones from Linn and Fred $25
In memory of my Dad, Walter Lysick $50
In memory of my father Thomas and my sister Elizabeth $50
In memory fo Manya, Estelle, Marion and Bev, love Jeri, Judi, Kelly, Natalie, Patty, Teri and Susie $64
McNeill Heating wishes all a happy and safe holiday season $125
In memory of Laura Chimelis who loved all children $1,000
Received $11,889
Total to date $61,119
Still needed $88,881
Contributions may be mailed with this coupon to The Republican, 1860 Main St., Springfield, MA, 01103.
