Once again, as they have for more than a century, local citizens are responding to the call to those who need their help.
Early donations to the Toy for Joy Christmas campaign for children have begun to push the drive toward its goal of $125,000 for this year’s campaign.
And as always, many donations are arriving anonymously or in honor of family, friends and loved ones whose memory is kept alive in a most meaningful way.
The Phelon family put $1,200 into the Toy for Joy pipeline at the outset of the 2025 campaign. They’ve done it since 2020, to honor Mary Phelon, who had passed away at 68 in 2018.
At the suggestion of Jack Phelon, five siblings gave unanimous approval to honor the memory of his sister. And why not? Mary Phelon was a special person.
She was involved with community projects, the Hampden County 4-H Fair, Special Olympics and the Westfield Fair. The children of the large extended Phelon family still receive gifts, but now, as in past years, so many other children throughout the Pioneer Valley will enjoy that holiday thrill as well.
In fact, about half of the early donations were designated in memory of special loved ones. That doesn’t even account for those who made anonymous contributions or sent in their own support of various amounts, including William Kelliher for a very generous $500.
No donation is too large or too small. There is a heartwarming story attached to each, whether it be to honor loved ones or for basic human generosity — and all go directly to the children of Toy for Joy, a campaign where the work volunteers and dedicated Salvation Army staff allow money to go their designated purpose, without being eaten up by administrative costs.
Toy for Joy serves deserving children 16 and under in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties. Donations are underway and will be accepted throughout a drive that ends on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24.
For mail-in contributions, an important change is that this year, there is a new mailing address, as shown on the coupon that accompanies this story.
Donations are to be sent to The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 971, Springfield MA 01101. For online donations, donors can use the general link https://tinyurl.com/ToyForJoy2025.
This year’s campaign is again sponsored by the Salvation Army through its Western Massachusetts locations in Springfield, Holyoke and Greenfield. It will be advertised and promoted in The Republican, Reminder Publishing, MassLive and El Pueblo Latino.
Registration was held last week and is closed. Pickups will be on designated days in December.
Here is a list of recent contributions:
In memory and honor of Claudia who shared her joy to all, $100.00
Peace and Love on Earth to all!, $100.00
Miss you so much Kyle. Love you More, Grandma Dorsey, $20.00
From Beth – for Mom, Dad and Jim, $100.00
In memory of Edward J and Alice M Bolow, Love, Marlene and Jeff, $50.00
In Memory of Peppy and Mischief, $125.00
In memory of Braishaw Kasperek, Josephine Kasperek, Romeo U. Martin and Priscilla Martin, $20.00
Merry Christmas from Molly Finnegan, $100.00
Merry Christmas from Heather and Heidi, $100.00
Thank you St. Jude — Pat, $10.00
Merry Christmas —The Mason Family, $100.00
In memory of Loved Ones no longer with us, $25.00
In memory of my mom Charlottle Worden, $25.00
In celebration of life’s gifts. God Bless the Children, $250.00
Rachel, a cat who loved Christmas, $2.00
In memory of Harry & Claire Broderick, Marie L. Brunelle & Thomas J. Murphy, $15.00
In memory of Jack, Maggie —our beautiful girl, & Bailey Ward, $11.00
In memory of Flynner — love The Montagna Family, $5.00
Merry Christmas Mason Ward, Nora, Scarlett & Harper Hazelwood – Love Grammy and Papap, $20.00
In memory of Fluffy Hazelwood, $2.00
Anonymous, $25.00
In honor of my granddaughters, $25.00
In memory of Lester and Carolyn Fontaine, $200.00
In loving memory of my husband Harold from Pat, $50.00
In memory of Loren from Norma, $150.00
In remembrance to Jill Stefanik, $10.00
In loving memory of my parents who made Christmas special, $100.00
In memory of our mom Gladys Milles, $20.00
Happy Holidays, $20.00
In memory of Alyre, Theresa and Ronald Nadeau, $25.00
In memory of Felix Siegel and Wolcott More Families, especially Gordie, Love Shirl, $25.00
Wishing all a Joyful Christmas! Best Regards, A Friend!, $10.00
For all the children’s happiness,$50.00
In memory of Stephen, $50.00
Remembering 64 wonderful Christmases with my special guy, $200.00
Happy Holidays, $100.00
Merry Christmas to all the children from Lexi and Peanut, $50.00
Anonymous, $10.00
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the French Family, $150.00
In memory of Helen Knight a wonderful mother and grandmother, $25.00
In memory of my sister Peggy Hart, Love Beachie, $50.00
In loving memory of Joseph Pelletti — Love Sharon and your family, $100.00
Grandpa you are missed and loved so much — Henry & Jack, $50.00
To put a smile on a child’s face, $60.00
Anonymous, $25.00
In memory of Claire Loud, $50.00
In memory of my Grandparents, Maurice W Dickey and Marion Melius Dickey, $500.00
Anonymous, $5.00
Anonymous, $150.00
From Ken and Kathy, $100.00
In loving memory of grandma Lena, Papa, grandma Rose & Poppy. All our love Luca, Frankie, Madison & Jack, $25.00
In memory of David — who loved Christmas, $10.00
May humanity thrive and democracy survive, Amen, $20.00
In loving memory of Mark Provost, $100.00
In memory of Philip & Annie Mirarchi and Rose, Hugo & Roger Sedran, $100.00
Kindness for our country and peace, tranquility for mankind, $20.00
Love to a happy youth, $50.00
Merry Christmas, $20.00
To bring a smile to a child, $50.00
Merry Christmas from Lauren, Lee, Andrew, Katie & Loretta, $100.00
From the Donoghue Family, $300.00
RECEIVED $4,360.00
TOTAL TO DATE $7,445.00
STILL NEEDED $117,555.00
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