When Link to Libraries heard the Toy for Joy campaign was in the hunt for quality books for children, the Western Massachusetts nonprofit didn’t hesitate to act.
“It’s a win-win,” says Amy Anderlonis, executive vice president of the Hampden-based organization, which delivered 600 high-quality books to the Toy for Joy effort that benefits underprivileged children in three Western Massachusetts counties.
“Our goal is not to have books sit on our warehouse shelves for long. We want to put them in the hands of children, especially those in need, to help develop their love for reading,” Anderlonis said. “We are honored to partner with Toy for Joy and the (co-sponsoring) Salvation Army.”
Toy for Joy is in its 101st year and will deliver a toy and book to each eligible child 16 and under whose families have registered with Salvation Army locations in Springfield, Holyoke and Greenfield.
The goal is to raise $150,000 by Christmas Eve. Donations of any size by individuals, groups or companies make this possible, as contributions cover the costs of toys, games and books purchased for this year.
Toy for Joy is sponsored collaboratively by the Salvation Army, The Republican, Reminders Publishing, El Pueblo Latino and MassLive. Hampden County Sheriff Nicholas J. Cocchi leads the list of community partners in this year’s campaign.
According to Salvation Army social ministries manager Danielle LaTaille, who works at the Springfield citadel, book donations assured that the literacy goal of Toy for Joy would again be a success.
“We were struggling to find appropriate books in the 10-to-12 year-old range. We reached out to Link to Libraries, and they responded with great books of high quality, the type that children will read and enjoy,” LaTaille said.
More generosity came from Agawam resident Jeff Moran, who donated 30 cases and hundreds of books written by his daughter. Deeply grateful for this gift, LaTaille said they will be targeted for younger children in the age 3 to 9 bracket.
“These books have good messages that if you do good for others, good will come back to you,” LaTaille said.
Link to Library’s books are of varied, age-appropriate content to recognize different interests amongst different children.
“We’ve distributed more than 1 million books. We look for books that children identify with and that speak to them,” Anderlonis said.
Maj. Paula Spencer, of the Salvation Army’s Springfield Citadel Corps, left, and Amy Anderlonis, executive vice president of Link to Libaries, unpack some of the 600 books Link to Libraries has donated to the Toy for Joy campaign. (Don Treeger / The Republican) The Republican
The nonprofit has delivered books to every public elementary school in Springfield and maintains a presence in schools and libraries throughout Western Massachusetts and northern Connecticut. It also sponsors Read Aloud programs with the added feature of giving books at these events which children can keep.
“These books are a wonderful donation. They’re of such quality that I’m sure we couldn’t afford them (if the Salvation Army had to pay),” LaTaille said.
The donations by Link to Libraries and the Moran family continue a Toy for Joy literacy tradition that spans 15 years. The gifts were well-timed; earlier in her search, LaTaille said many available books were not necessarily of the content that children would want to read and enjoy.
The Toy for Joy book gift by Link to Libraries was made possible by a donation from MGM Springfield, Anderlonis said.
Volunteers have been unpacking and preparing gift packages for families who have registered in advance with the campaign. LaTaille says the need has been as great or greater than ever before.
Toy for Joy is sponsored collaboratively by the Salvation Army, The Republican, Reminders Publishing, El Pueblo Latino and MassLive.
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:
In memory of our awesome cat, Sadie. Miss you already $5
In memory of George and Shirley Desautels, from their grandchildren $25
In memory of Jim and Ronnie Donohue and Hugh and Anna Ketchum $100
Meowy Christmas from Siggy, Tau and Nu $30
Merry Christmas from Cliff and Debbie $30
In memory of my husband Leo, who loved kids, from Florence $100
In memory of our good friend Gary Watson, from Gerald and Brenda $25
Merry Christmas Grandpa Orszulak. Always loved, never forgotten. Love, Chris, Matt, Justin, Lindsey $50
In memory of Gene Giammarino $200
In loving memory of Nana, Pepe and Auntie Mare. Love, Grace and Faith $100
In loving memory of Richard and Mary Bourque and Maureen $50
Remembering Robbie from the Tesini Family $100
Lyla a sweet Yorkie, love and Kisses $100
In loving memory of Paula Manchino Denoncourt $50
In loving memory of my John from wife Rose $10
In memory of Sally Drucker $18
In memory of Chiara and Renzo Vedany and my uncle Zio Ferruccio $20
In memory of Elizabeth Sorli $100
In memory of Dora who loved Christmas, from Stephen $40
In loving memory of my parents Grace and Henry Partridge from Mary $22
In memory of Pauline Parks $20
In memory of my family members from Barbara $20
In loving memory of Jolie Molleur. Missed everyday. $10
Each child deserves a present Christmas day from Shelley $50
In memory of Hope, Joanne, Gus, Maddog, Pojke and Jerry Guernsey $50
Thanks for inspiring everyone at Probate $20
May Christmas bring a time of love and peace, from Mary $35
JK-E-Ma-Dad-DM for my beloveds. $5
In loving memory of my parents Carmela and Filippo. Love, Sue $25
In memory of Brownie, Edie, Gilbert, Nat and Ruth $25
In loving memory of Nani Maryrae MacFarland from Jo and Keith $50
From Marcia $20
Merry Christmas to all, love, Gianna, Jillie, Michael and Ben $100
Grandkids Jake, Zach, Maggie, Kaz and Rob, great grandkids Ryley and Ramona $50
In loving memory of Theresa Shuman $150
In loving memory of all 4 Bompas $150
Chloe and Colson wish everyone a happy holiday $100
In loving memory of my brother Joe. Love, Sue $25
Merry Christmas from Tom and Lynne $100
In memory of our Pepa, Sophie and Lilah $25
In loving memory of Tim Dowd from his family $100
In memory of Carol from John $50
In loving memory of Billy Bond, Scott Skrzyniarz and Matt Mierzwinski $100
Warm wishes for a happy Christmas from Rosemary $30
Remembering Mom who made my family’s Christmases special. Miss and love you, Holly Dorsey $20
Remembering Marge, Flip, Jack, Bob, Bill, Donald. Mamie, Pop, Bill, Snookie Jimmy and Eileen $50
With love for our grandchildren, Sadie, Nora, Noah Easton $25
From Nancy $100
Parents, brothers, all loved ones who have passed in memory. $100
In honor of our grandchildren Kylie, Taryn, Tanner and Tessa $40
Daddy, Mom, Tom, wish you were here. Merry Christmas! XOXO $35
Merry Christmas from Clara $20
In loving memory of Debra Buchanan $50
For my “Grands”: Emily, Christopher, Natalie, Nicholas, Noelle, Kayla and Becky $150
In memory of parents from Audrey $20
Marilyn and Peter $35
In memory of Dave, Bridie, Kevin and Paul $100
From Susan $25
In loving memory of Carolyn Duchesneau. We miss you. $10
In loving memory of “Duke” Duchesneau. We miss you. $10
From Tony and Debby $250
American Veterans in Prison Chapter at the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department $1,400
In memory of Marion and Daniel Bisi from Barbara and Marvin Howard $100
Received $4,925
Total to Date $26,388
Still Needed $123,612
Contributions may be mailed with this coupon to The Republican, 1860 Main St., Springfield, MA, 01103.
