For decades, Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno has seen what Toy for Joy has meant to the spirit of his city, and to the hearts of the children the campaign serves each and every year.
He appreciates that the Christmas tradition has endured to reach its 101st year and remains dedicated to helping keep it alive into the future.
“I want to again commend The Republican and the Salvation Army,” Sarno said, as he continued his own annual tradition of being among the campaign’s first donors.
“The need for this Toy for Joy campaign is so important,” Sarno said. “Besides the importance of love a mom and dad gives to their child, the gift of a toy means a lot to a little one.”
The mayor’s $150 contribution helped kick off the 2023 drive to raise $150,000 by Christmas eve to cover the costs of toys and books being distributed this season.
Toy for Joy is a collaborative 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.
Thousands of donations, large and small, help Toy for Joy meet both its financial goal and its goal to deliver joy to the hearts of children and families it serves in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties.
Recently re-elected to a new four-year term, the mayor considers Toy for Joy a very personal commitment. “Again, this year I dedicated my donation in memory of my mom and dad, Clara and Alfonso, ‘Al the Barber’ Sarno, who I miss dearly, especially during our Christmas Eve family and friends’ gatherings,” Sarno said. “They were truly (people who made it) a special time.”
The mayor’s ties with The Republican, a Toy for Joy co-sponsor with the Salvation Army, go back to his youth. “I was a Daily News paperboy – afternoon edition with 80 customers too, from 11 to 15 years old,” Sarno said.
“This is how I got my first 10-speed bike, by having the most, new customers for the month – and how I could do Christmas shopping for my family with Christmas tips,” he recalled of those days nearly a half-century ago. “In those days, we collected with the blue book, too. I would take the bus downtown to shop. It was a glorious time.”
This year’s early donations reflect the fond memories of others as well. There’s a $500 gift in memory of Dick Sitnik, and $200 in tribute to Henry C. and Ethel E. Gibson, Joseph R. and Dorothy R. Braun, and and Joseph M. Braun and Carole Clarke.
A $150 gift honors the legacy of the late Lester and Carolyn Fontaine. The Fontaines were longtime supporters of Toy for Joy. In 2019, Lester Fontaine, whose family operates Fontaine Brothers construction company, told The Republican, “Every child should have the joy of Christmas…My wife and I want to make sure every kid (everywhere) gets a toy.”
Contributions will be published in The Republican and The Reminders, as well as online at Masslive, in recognition of the generosity of donors and to encourage others to participate in a tradition that is now entering its second century.
For generations, countless numbers of families and individuals have used Toy for Joy to express their warm memories of those often departed, in a meaningful way that assists youngsters just starting out in life and needing and appreciating the thoughtfulness of their fellow citizens.
Toy for Joy provides age-apppropriate gifts and books to children age 16 and younger. Gift distribution will be conducted in mid-December.
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 first list of contributions:
May no child be left without the gift of hope, Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno $150
In memory of Lester and Carolyn Fontaine $150
In memory of Eric Dostie $100
From Peggy, Frank and all the Berninis $50
A smile for a child $20
In loving memory of my husband, Edward Martin, from Mary $22
Merry Christmas, peace and love from Nora $25
Ellie $25
In memory of Dick Sitnik, thank you Santa $500
Paul and Mary Perron $100
Merry Christmas from Lynn and Gary Winsor $100
In loving memory of Henry C. and Ethel E. Gibson, Joseph R. and Dorothy R. Braun, Joseph M. Braun and Carole Clarke $200
Received $1,442
Total to date $1,442
Still needed $148,558
Contributions may be mailed with this coupon to The Republican, 1860 Main St., Springfield, MA, 01103.
