Toy for Joy 2023: Holyoke, Springfield businesses help deliver joy

Anne Cistoldi is grateful that the people at FLN-MAR Rubber & Plastics continue to make generosity possible.

“The program directors do such a good job. We need them to do a good job,” Cistoldi said as the Holyoke company continued its annual tradition of donating to the Toy for Joy campaign.

“Toy for Joy benefits so many people,” said Cistoldi, who coordinates the campaign for her company.

Her comments come with an excitement in her voice that reflects the company’s desire to give back to the community. FLN-MAR has been supporting Toy for Joy for as long as Cistoldi can remember.

According to Cistoldi, “It’s probably been close to 20 years, certainly in the teens, that we’ve been proud to be a part of it.”

This year’s $1,000 donation will help make many children and families happier this Christmas. That’s the purpose of the Toy for Joy campaign, which continues until Christmas Eve. Now in its 101st year, Toy for Joy benefits families in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties.

Toy for Joy is sponsored collaboratively by the Salvation Army, The Republican, Reminders Publishing, El Pueblo Latino and MassLive. Gift distribution will be conducted in mid-December. Hampden County Sheriff Nicholas J. Cocchi leads the list of community partners; volunteers from the Sheriff’s Department this week helped prepare a delivery of toys for distribution later this month.

Youths 16 and younger each receive a gift and also a book. Promoting literacy among children has been an integral part of the campaign for 15 years.

“I love the focus on a book for each child,” Cistoldi said. She also noted the number of people who make donations in memory of deceased family, friends and loved ones.

“So many people get to express their condolences and memories of those who have passed,” she said.

If anything, that form of expression has increased in recent years. This year is no exception as many Toy for Joy contributions honor those who have passed in a meaningful way that helps and lifts the spirits of children.

Any donation of any size goes directly to the campaign and those children. Individual contributions are crucial, as are the generous gifts from companies that believe in giving back to the community.

FLN-MAR on Cabot Street in Holyoke, which manufactures industrial equipment, is one such company. Another is Harry Grodsky & Co., which is responsible for the design and installation of advanced mechanical solutions. Harry Grodsky & Co., a Springfield firm, helped push Toy for Joy toward its $150,000 campaign goal with a $500 donation.

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 a list of recent contributions:

From Kenn and Kathy $100

Barbara $25

In memory of Michael S. and Marion Judd $100

The Robert F. Miller family of Hatfield $25

In loving memory of Lani from Rick and Jo $20

Merry Christmas, with love from Patrick, Erin, Grace and Aiden $20

Merry Christmas from Phyllis $20

In loving memory of our grandpa Bob Wheeler, Ryan, Nicole, Brandon and Bobby $50

Be respectful and be kind $25

In memory of Ma. Love, Debbie, Paul, Danielle and Michael $20

Luke and Caleigh wish you all a merry Christmas $100

In loving memory of Grandad and Lala $50

In memory of Anna, Sophie and Viola $100

Peace on earth and merry Christmas from Caden, Rowyn, Mason and Aiden $100

In loving memory of Nora Marie Martin, by her sons $50

In loving memory of Timothy Martin, by his two sons $50

In loving memory of Rich. I miss you more each day. Love forever,Maureen $300

In memory of Pierre, Finnegan, Melvin, Kelsey, Milton and Moses $150

In memory of Fawn and Monk, two precious pets $150

Our lucky Mikie $25

In loving memory of my mother Barbara Kupec $25

Judianne $25

Merry Christmas from Ella, Emmie and Gabe $200

Merry Christmas to our two wonderful grandchildren Audrey and Connor from Nana and Grampa $25

In loving memory of Joseph Bilodeau from Mom, Dad and Mike $50

For the needy children $100

Anonymous $25

In memory of Grandma Jo $25

In loving memory of my husband Richard Burrage $25

In loving memory of my husband Harold from Pat $50

In memory of ruth Batson Weston $100

In loving memory of my parents George and May Burgess $25

In loving memory of Charlene “Sheree” Reidy $15

In loving memory of Hank and Ann Prunckun, Lester and Enis MacLeod $40

In loving memory of my husband Frank Orszulak. Love, Shirley $25

In memory of our parents, Dot and Mario and Dot and Jack. Love, Donna and Bill $50

Deb $50

In memory of Big H and John $50

Merry Christmas $25

Merry Christmas from G and G $350

In celebration of our grandchildren, Moira, Collin, Elijah, Joshua and Liliana. Peace to all $50

In loving memory of family and friends who have passed from Lori and Joe $30

Thank you St. Jude for favors granted, Joni Smith $25

In memory of my mom, Blanche E. Roberts, Jan. 25, 1907 – Sept. 9, 2001. So dearly loved, so sadly missed $40

In memory of my precious son Tim Smith, Oct. 18 1960 – Nov. 3, 1980. All my love, Mom $43

In memory of my dad, Michael A. Roberts, May 22, 1907 – June 6, 1985 $40

In memory of Tiger, Tasha, Bandit, Candy, Nero, Gypsy, Buffy, Buford, Smitty, Missy and Skeeter $40

Thank you St. Anthony for favors granted $25

In memory of Freddie Facchini $40

In memory of my brother Mike Roberts $40

In memory of William “Billy” O’Connell $40

In memory of Genevieve Vaz $20

Our thanks and wishes for a joyous holiday season to all our loyal customers from FLN-MAR Rubber and Plastics Inc. $1,000

Anonymous $200

Harry Grodsky & Co. Inc. $500

Anonymous $300

In memory of my husband, “Albert” Carl Moses, loved by wife Bev $25

In loving memory of Annmarie and Jimmy $100

In memory of John Mathews $100

In gratitude and celebration of our grandchildren – Emma, Logan, Grace and Henry $100

In memory of Boppy. Love, Gavin, Ethan, Kieran and Lachlan $20

In memory of Geraldine Riley $150

In memory of Gloria and Robert Kemple who so loved Christmas and always made it special $100

David $100

Received $5,888

Total to date $21,463

Still needed $128,537

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