Steve Roberts is 80, sounds 60 and lives life like he’s 45.
But there is always a place for the Toy for Joy campaign.
“We split time in Longmeadow and Cape Cod, and sometimes we go down to Florida and let ourselves get pampered at a hotel,” said Roberts, who along with his wife, Georgianne, donated $4,525 to the 2025 Christmas drive through a donor-advised fund in their name.
“My company, F.L. Roberts, supported this cause for as long as I can remember. “We are very thankful we can continue supporting this wonderful cause as we have for decades,” said Roberts, who sold the gas and convenience store chain in 2016.
“It’s a fantastic cause, it’s well-run and it’s needed,” Roberts said after he and his wife made a contribution that topped even last year’s gift.
Toy for Joy is in its 103rd year of providing toys, books and games to deserving children of Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties. This year’s campaign is again sponsored by the Salvation Army through its Western Massachusetts locations in Springfield, Holyoke and Greenfield.
It is being advertised and promoted in The Republican, Reminder Publishing, MassLive and El Pueblo Latino.
Time is running short as the campaign begins nearing its Christmas Eve deadline. If the drive is to realize its $125,000 goal, donations are still needed from generous individuals, organizations and groups.
They’ll join those catalogued on donor lists that have been listed with these stories, and be part of a campaign that, for over a century, has been one of the region’s — and New England’s — most proven and enduring traditions.
For mail-in contributions, this year’s new mailing address (as shown on the coupon that accompanies this story) is to The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 971, Springfield MA 01101.
For online donations, donors can use the general link at https://tinyurl.com/ToyForJoy2025.
Generous donations were recently received “in loving memory of Joseph Bilodeau from Mom, Dad and Mike ($550), from “Judy, Jim, Chris, Kim, Nick, Josh, Jeff, Sarah and Casey ($300) and “from Reis, Will, Hunter, Henry and Charlie” ($250) among many, many others. Donations of any size, anonymously or with any description, are appreciated and make a difference.
The drive will again deliver age-appropriate toys, games and books to thousands of deserving children age 16 and under. With volunteers from several businesses and agencies pitching in, gift pickups will conclude in the coming days.
Here is a list of recent contributions:
In memory of Mike S and Marion $200.00
Anonymous $5.00
Merry Christmas! In Loving Memory of Mom, Dad and “Johnny P”. $50.00
In memory of Richard and Joan Briggs $100.00
In memory of Dee and Augie Costa $200.00
Anonymous $50.00
In memory of our grandparents: Grandpa & Meaney Trombly. Love, Chris, Matt, Justin, Lindsey $100.00
Thank God for His abundant blessings $50.00
Thank you St. Jude for prayers answered. C.O. $25.00
My Amy $100.00
In memory of our grandpa, Frank Orszulak. Love, Chris, Matt, Justin, Lindsey $50.00
In memory of past loved ones $50.00
Anonymous $15.00
In memory of Ernie, Bernie and Theresa $50.00
In memory of Dora who loved Christmas. From Stephen $60.00
Merry Christmas Steve. Love Mom and Dad $25.00
In memory of my mother Julia Skowera $50.00
Merry Christmas Mom and Dad $150.00
Merry Christmas Barry & Dan $150.00
Merry Christmas Anne Reilley $50.00
Merry Christmas Bill — miss you $250.00
In memory of all the family we have lost $100.00
Donation in honor of George Ditomassi $1,000.00
For Chuck $25.00
Anonymous $25.00
In loving memory of my husband Frank. Love Shirley $40.00
Merry Christmas from Kendra, Kelsey, Cecilia and Tom $30.00
In memory of my husband Ken Fellows $100.00
Loving memory of Nonna Norina & Nonno Frank Mancuso by Grandson Frankie $25.00
Loving memory of Nonna Rina & Nonno Frank Lacopo by Grandson Frankie $25.00
Memory of Tristan — gone too soon. Hugs from Nana & Pop Pop $75.00
In memory of Stanley & Ethel Cortis $50.00
In memory of Gene & Roseabell Brassard $50.00
Anonymous $50.00
In memory of my husband Edward Jacot $50.00
In lieu of gifts to the Howe Families Merry Christmas to All – Mary Jacot Grandma $100.00
Anonymous $100.00
Anonymous $50.00
Loving Memory of Carl Duso $100.00
In loving memory of Nan, Mary Rae MacFarland from Jo & Keith $100.00
Anonymous $50.00
Wishing everyone a very safe and happy holiday season $50.00
Anonymous $10.00
Peace on Earth Goodwill to All: Moira, Collin, Elijah, Joshua & Liliana $50.00
In loving memory of our parents and brother from Carl & Patty $25.00
Merry Christmas to All from Rose & Pete $25.00
Merry Christmas to All! $100.00
We “wish you enough” $250.00
In memory of all our deceased family members — Kevin & Sue $100.00
In loving memory of deceased family. The Paluck Family $125.00
Pilgrim Covenant Church $300.00
May God Bless all Children. Merry Christmas $50.00
Merry Christmas $100.00
In memory of Marion and Daniel Bisi $100.00
In memory of Glenn & Kevin, RIP. Love Dad & Mom $100.00
In memory of my friend Donna and family members who passed in October 2025 $25.00
In loving memory of Mike and Lee Rinehart $50.00
A sweet Yorkie named Lyla $100.00
Loving memory of Bill and Theresa Chadwick $100.00
From Fig and Bana $100.00
In loving memory of John D. O’Neil, Sr., Mary O’Neil, Lucy O’Neil & Yvonne Nelson $25.00
In loving memory of Sheila O’Neil-Ryan, John D. O’Neil, Jr. & Kevin & Kathleen O’Neil $25.00
In memory of loved ones $20.00
Merry Xmas from Ella, Emmie & Gabe $200.00
For all the children of the world $50.00
In loving memory of Billy Bond, Scott Skrlynjarz & Mathew Mierlwinski $100.00
In honor of the Deceased Members of our families who have passed away. $100.00
Loving memory of David Gonyea $100.00
In loving memory of my husband John Long also called Poppy and my grandson Patrick Moskal – Mary Long $25.00
In memory of Mae Egan $10.00
In memory of Dave, Bridie, Kevin and Paul $100.00
In memory of Allen, Yelle, Sjoblad and Silveri families. Thanks for a wonderful heritage. $150.00
Merry Christmas from Hunter, Jackie, Rylee, Zoe, Amirah, Charlotte, Ben, Addelaide, Eloise, Lucas, Amelia $55.00
In loving memory of Lynn-Ann and her dogs $100.00
Miss You, Joanne!! $20.00
Received $6,765.00
Total to date $49,588.00
Still needed $75,412.00
