Year in and year out, children across Western Massachusetts have come to know they can count on the Springfield trucking firm All States Transport Inc. to remember them.
This year is no exception.
“We are committed to the cause,” says William “Billy” Kingston, owner of the company that has not only become an annual donor to the Toy for Joy campaign, but has increased its participation and generosity in recent years.
Toy for Joy is hoping to raise $150,000 by Christmas eve to cover the costs of delivering toys and books to children in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties. It is a collaboarative effort by the Salvation Army with The Republican, Reminders Publishing, El Pueblo Latino and MassLive. Hampden County Sheriff Nicholas J. Cocchi leads the list of community partners involved in the campaign.
This year, All States Transport contributed $7,500 to the effort. Not only has the company lent its support to Toy for Joy, but its annual donations have more than tripled from just a few years ago. The need to support the community is as great or greater than ever, and that is not a responsibility the freight services company takes lightly.
“We are thankful to our customers as well as our staff,” said Kingston, whose business maintains offices in Springfield and Miami, Florida. “They make it possible for us to make contributions to this and other worthy causes. Toy for Joy is one of those commitments we always want to support.”
Added Kingston, “This has been a good year for us, not quite what it had been in previous years, but still good. And as they say, if the good lord is willing and the creek don’t rise, we’ll be there, doing this, for a long, long time.”
Toy for Joy has been supporting children for a long time as well. This is the 101st year of the campaign to bring Christmas gifts and books to children who might otherwise be left out of the joyous feeling of receiving some special during the holiday season.
Like other businesses, groups and individuals who support the drive, Kingston’s staff of 22 employees knows the value of making sure these youngsters and families in need experience the joy of the holiday season.
Connecticut Valley Artesian Well Co. is another business which has been a regular donor to the campaign, sending along a gift of $500 this year.
The family of Springfield police officer Michael Schiavina is continuing a tradition his late mother began following his death 38 years ago. Schiavina and his partner, Alain Beauregard, were shot and killed on duty after making a traffic stop off State Street in November 1985. His brother and sisters contributed $100 to this year’s campaign in memory of him, as well as their parents, Anne and Caesar Schiavina.
Gift distribution is under way this week. Each registered child receives a high-quality toy. Literacy is an important component of the campaign, so they each receive an age-appropriate book as well. Distribution is handled from the Salvation Army locations in Springfield, Holyoke and Greenfield.
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.
Here is the latest list of contributions:
Peace on earth, from Roger and Barbara $100
In loving memory of Mike from Jeanne $30
In memory of Marilyn “Mama” Frye. Love, Lynne and Alan $25
In honor of Fotini Laware. Love, Yiayia, Papou and Theo Tommy $50
In memory of Mike and Gerry $50
Merry Christmas from Jim, Judy, Chris, Kim, Nicholas, Josh, Jeff, Sarah and Casey $300
In memory of my mother Julia Skowera $50
In loving memory of my guardian angel, Marcia – JMC $5
In memory of our parents: Bill, Adele, Al and Stella – AGC and JMC $5
Missing you, Scott – AGC and JMC $5
Thank you, St. Jude, for prayers granted – JMC $5
For happiness and good health of our wonderful family – AGC and JMC $10
In honor of Georgia who has brought us so much happiness – AGC and JMC $10
In memory of John Foy and Sandy and Mary. Love, Peggy and Liz $25
Anonymous $150
Happy heavenly 26th birthday Donesha Marie Lynch from Mommy $25
Loving memory of Carl Duso $100
Wesotych Swiqt everyone, from Alfred $22
In memory of Tommy Egan Jr. from 14 special children $25
In memory of Nanny and Gramp from 13 special Grandchildren $25
In memory of Bernie and Ernie Cardin $50
From Mary $100
In memory of Helen and Ernest Peterson from the Peterson Family $50
Happy holidays from Marianne and Bruce $200
From Carolyn $50
In memory of my husband Richard, from Barbara $25
In loving memory of three sisters – Tillie, Orpha and Minnie Mae $75
Merry Christmas everyone. Be kind $25
Mom, Emily Witaszek, still near and caring for me. Love, Pam $30
In loving memory of my parents, George and Helen Liptak $100
In memory of Jason McDiarmid who left us way to soon and his grandparents George and Rita McDiarmid $125
In memory of Arthur DeForge $25
Love always wins $40
In memory of Barb from Carol $25
In memory of my parents Harold and Hazel Donahue $25
Golden sunset wishes for Christopher Bizilj $25
In loving memory of Michael Schiavina and his parents Anne and Caesar Schiavina. Loved and missed by Kathy, Mark and Maura $100
In loving memory of our deceased family members, from Jim and Sue $100
In memory of Bob and Julie Cross $30
In loving memory of John and Josephine Szumny, from their Family $25
In loving memory of Jill Stefanik, C. June and U. Eddie $25
In memory of Larry, Doris and Roberta Brundrett, from Elaine and Dawn $50
Merry Christmas Charlotte, Brendan, Lilly, Teddy, James and Connie $100
In lieu of Christmas gifts, for our daughter Doreen, son Michael, our 6 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and to all their families from Papa and Nanny $200
For Joe Conway and Mary Brown. Love, Chris $25
Thankful for our grandchildren Luca, Frankie, Madison and Jack $25
Merry Christmas Grandpa and Meaney Trombly. Love and miss you, Chris, Matt, Justin and Lindsey $100
Anonymous $25
From Jane $400
In memory of David DeChristopher $40
In memory of Eynda Nofth $5
In loving memory of Jason McDiarmid who we lost on Nov. 13, 2023, and who is loved and deeply missed. $20
In loving memory of Rita and George McDiarmid who made every Christmas special $20
Love and happiness to our grandchildren and great grandchildren, from Jim and Sue $100
Merry Christmas from Margaret $25
From Judith $25
Merry Christmas Johnny and Christine. Love, Mom and Dad $150
In memory of our parents who gave us wonderful Christmases, from Dennis and Linda $100
In memory of Tiz and Gus. Love, Aimee $25
In celebration of our grandson’s 18th birthday on Dec. 15, 2023 $50
In memory of Bill and Don from Sandra $25
Edward, Antoinette, Carolyn $20
From Diane $25
In loving memory of family and friends no longer with us. Love, VN $25
Merry Christmas to a child in need from Christine $30
Merry Christmas kids, from Jeff $25
In memory of Baby Izzy. $25
From Jane and Ted $200
In memory of Kevin and Glenn. Love, Dad and Mom $100
Happy holidays Taj, the Wonder Cat $50
In loving memory of the Leclerc and Swanlund Family $50
In memory of Tanner Simpkiss from brother Hunter and family $25
Christmas blessings from all the Harlows from West Springfield $100
In memory of family and friends no longer with us, from Gerry and Linda $100
In memory of Bill and Helen Copeland from Mary Ann $50
In memory of Gladys P, Bernie, Kent, Jean and Gladys M. $50
Merry Christmas from Marcia and Jim $100
Sharing our many blessings, from Rick and Irene $500
In memory of Frank and Rosalie Pouliot, from Bob and Pat $100
In memory of Tom and Agnes Kelly, from Bob and Pat $100
In memory of Donnie, Dave, and the Cowboy, from Bob and Pat $100
Our commitment continues to help needy families smile during Christmas from All States Transport Inc. $7,500
Wishing you happy holidays from Connecticut Valley Artesian Well Co. $500
Anonymous $1,000
In loving memory of Peg Buckley. Miss you. Love, Margaret $50
In memory of Bronislaw and Josephine Kasperek and Romeo U and Prisilla Martin $20
Honoring Chuck, Carrie, Will, Ajay and Brin $200
Thanksgiving for family, health and love $50
Merry Christmas from Lauren, Lee, Andrew, Katie and Loretta $100.00
Remembering the joy Michael Cooley shared with the Sandwich Ministry $15
In memory of our cat, Jubilee from Mike and Dee $25
In loving memory of Gary J. and Edwin W. Allen $25
In memory of all the family we have lost $100
In memory of deceased loved ones from Richard and Ellen $50
Thank you St. Jude $200
In loving memory of Annie and Feedo who made Christmas special $50
In loving memory of Andrew, Santina and Frances Rizzo $50
In loving memory of Mike and Lee Roy Rinehart $50
Anonymous $30
The family of Bob Jaszek, Merry Christmas $100
Received $15,667
Total to date $42,055
Still needed $107,945
Contributions may be mailed with this coupon to The Republican, 1860 Main St., Springfield, MA, 01103.
