As the 2025, Toy for Joy drive enters its final days, William Toller is gratified that his organization has once again remembered the children, as it always does.
Toller is the program consultant for the Ludlow chapter of American Veterans in Prison, whose inmates realize that helping those in need is something they can do now.
Their $1,100 donation to Toy for Joy will bring happiness to countless children in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties. The Ludlow chapter always does its part to push the drive toward its goal, which this year is $125,000.
The Christmas Eve campaign deadline is just days away. More donations are still needed from generous individuals, organizations and groups — and there is still time, though time is running short.
The need is urgent. The reward for deserving children is direct and immediate. Toller and his organization of incarcerated veterans know that.
“We work with the Soldier On organization in Leeds, and a social therapist comes in, too, They donate to Toy for Joy as well,” Toller said.
“Along with helping veterans gain employment and other skills needed to re-enter society, they deliver a positive message about making a contribution. The veterans get the message that ‘you can do that, too, even while incarcerated,’ ” Toller said.
Funds are raised through letters to various groups in the community, and by a 5-kilometer fundraising walk-a-thon in the prison gymnasium.
“So many friends in the community support us, and we’re grateful,” said Toller, who noted that the prison population changes year to year, but that support for the children is always there.
Toller says veterans’ agencies and the Veterans Administration let the prisoners, still proud as veterans, know they have not been forgotten or abandoned. In turn, they never forget the children in need at Christmas time — a most poignant, meaningful step as they prepare for their return to the general population and a fresh start.
Toy for Joy is in its 103rd year of providing age-appropriate toys, books and games to deserving children. 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.
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.
As the 2025 campaign enters its final days, the children of the region are counting on a last surge of generosity and Christmas spirit for those citizens and groups who know a Merry Christmas is something every child deserves — and that any donation to this drive, of any size, will help make it happen.
Recent contributions include:
Memory of all my friends who loved Christmas $25.00
In Memory of Mary Ellen Kuzmeski, Andy and Helen, Jessie, Jim, Pat and Dave Brown $50.00
In memory of Edward & Lillian Noonan $100.00
In loving memory, Terry, Chick, Rose, Stan, Linda and George $40.00
In memory of Ryan Gilrein $50.00
Merry Christmas from Madyson O’Herron, Hunter Rheault and Noah Rheault $250.00
Happy Holidays from Steve and Madeline $100.00
Anonymous $50.00
Anonymous $25.00
Happy Holidays! $100.00
In loving memory of Estelle, Manya, Marion and BevLove, Jeri, Judi, Natalie, Patty, Teri and Kelly $60.00
In loving memory of Diane. Love Lenny, Monique, Nicole, Don & grandchildren $25.00
In memory of Ruth LaBelle and John LaBelle. From the employees of Direct Results $300.00
To bring a smile on a child’s face — Anne $20.00
In memory of Rich, I miss you so much. Love Forever — Maureen $150.00
In memory of Pierre, Finnegan, Kelsey, Melvin, Milton, Moses, Monkey & Fawn $150.00
In memory of Gramps C, Dad K, Dad C, Mum C, and Mum K who loved all children $25.00
In memory of Natal’a Keefe. From the Picky McQuade Family $50.00
Christmas Blessings – Ray & Gerri $50.00
In memroy of Marge who loved Christmas $25.00
In memory of my parents Reverend Peter C and Katherine Katopis. Forever in my heart. Stella Muzyka $50.00
In honor of Charlotte, Colin, Liam, Caroline, Ben and Hannoh – Connie & Bob $50.00
In loving memory of Ron Magrone, Merry Christmas. Love Tara $25.00
In loving memory of our grandparents. Love Lisa & Mary $25.00
In loving memory of David & Matthew who loved the holidays. Greatly missed by their family. $50.00
In memory of Dennis & Michelle Cardin $25.00
In loving memory of Craig, who made life special. $75.00
In loving memory of three sisters — Tillie, Orpha, and Minnie Mae $75.00
Loving memory of Miriam & Victor Bissonnette $100.00
In memory of Hazel and Joe Phillips of Suffield CT $3.00
Three sisters — Janet, Diane and Christine $3.00
Many Thanks to Lyn and Susan, my helpers $3.00
Happy Anniversary to Faye & Mario $50.00
God Bless the Children $100.00
Peace, Love and Joy — Merry Christmas $50.00
Thinking of my grandchildren — Emily, Kyle, Caiden, Carson $25.00
All the Kids $25.00
In loving memory of my cousin Dan Moran who loved children $25.00
Lovingly remembering my husband John Dunn, the Christmas Elf. $25.00
In loving memory of Pederzoli & Moran families $25.00
With thanks for our grandchildren. Sadie, Nora, Noah & Easton $40.00
In memory of loved ones $100.00
In loving memory of William Manegre who passed away in 1974 and Catherine Manegre who massed away in 2019, sadly missed by daughter JoAnne, son-in-law Walter, grandson Robert and granddaughter Staunzy $10.00
In loving memory of John and Mary Ganley, sadley missed by granddaughter JoAnne Gould $10.00
In memeory of Basil and Eleanor Gould from Walter and Joanne Gould $3.00
In memory of Grandpa and Grandma Gould from Robert Gould. $3.00
In memory of Walter and Bertha Edwards from grandson Walter Gould & family $3.00
In memory of Charles and Helen Edwards from new Walter Gould & Family $3.00
In memory of Joe and Mary Dillon from nephew Walter Gould & Family $3.00
In memory of Richard & Rachel (Water Wheel) Savoy from the Gould Family $3.00
Remembering the Water Wheel Restaurant, Springfield, MA from Walter (Water Wheel) Gould $3.00
In memory of Robin Fleming from the Gould family $3.00
In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Fleming from the Gould family $3.00
In memory of Ken Fleming from the Gould family $3.00
In memory of our dogs, Buddy, Princess, Toby, Sandy Girl and Preson from the Gould family $3.00
In memory of Benny & Peggy Bonavita from Walter Gould and family $3.00
In memory of our neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. H. Hawley from the Gould family $3.00
In memory of our neighbor Stan, from the Gould family $3.00
In memory of our neighbors Mr. and Mrs. Kwist from the Gould family $3.00
In memory of Mr. and Mrs. George Pelletier from the Gould family $3.00
In memory of my pal, Josie from Robert Gould $3.00
In memory of Mary and Jerry Langone from the Gould family $3.00
In memory of Jay (Langone) & Randy Rewis from the Gould family $3.00
In memory of Jim & Betty Maher from Walter Gould $3.00
In memory of Harry Gallerani from the Gould family $3.00
In memory of Mr. and Mrs. O’Diorne from the Gould family $3.00
In memory of Grandpa Larosa from Robert Gould $3.00
In memory of our friend Anthony Larosa from Joanne and Walter Gould $3.00
In memory of our neighbor Fred Kelleher from the Gould family $3.00
In memory of Uncle Donald, Aunt Gerry and Uncle Paul, Uncle John and Aunt June, Aunt Ruth and Aunt Margaret from JoAnne Gould & family $3.00
In memory of Ciro Langone and brother Jimmy Langone from the Gould family $3.00
Happy Holidays to all our friends from the Gould family $3.00
To the staff at Tony’s Barber ship in Springfield’s South End, Merry Christmas from Walter & Robert Gould $3.00
In memory of Brian O’Diorne, from the Gould family $3.00
In memory of Retired SPD Police Officer Mike J Ristaino & Irene Ristaino from the Gould family $3.00
In memory of our Good Friend Jennie McAlpine, her mother Josephine Szczepanek $3.00
In memory of our Brother-In-Law, Uncle Ed Scott from the Gould family $3.00
In memory of Antonette Pepe from the Gould family $3.00
Thank You, Eastfield Hospital for Animals from the Gould family $3.00
In memory of Bill Lapardo, from Walter Gould & family $3.00
In memory of Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Stenta, from the Gould family $3.00
In memory of Shirley Nichols, from Walter Gould & family $3.00
In memory of Mike & George Pelletier from Walter Gould & family $3.00
In memory of Jason Kenyon and his father Mark Kenyon from Walter Gould & family $3.00
To our Grand Dog, Cooper, from Grandma & Grandpa Gould $3.00
In memory of Jack Wojcik and his son David, from the Gould family $3.00
In memory of Mrs. Crinella, from the Gould family $3.00
In memory of Julio Nozzolillo, from Walter Gould and family $3.00
In memory of Alex Velez, from Walter, JoAnne Gould and family $3.00
In memory of Mike Tirozzi, from Walter (Water Wheel) Gould & family $3.00
In memory of Barbara Thomas, from Walter Gould & family $3.00
In memory of Joe Mineo, from Walter (Water Wheel) Gould & family $3.00
In memory of Mr. & Mrs. Arnold Corbeil, Sr. From The Gould family $3.00
To all my Co-Workers, Friends and Customers at Red Rose Pizzeria, from Walter Gould $3.00
In memory of Francis Magagnoli (The Leader of the Band) from the Gould family $3.00
In memory of a Good Friend, Jimmy Fields, from Walter Gould $3.00
In memory of Karen Rosinski from the Gould family $3.00
The Bradys of Montgomery $100.00
In memory of Alice and Bill Roberts $50.00
In memory of Louise Markham $50.00
I am thankful for the blessing of wonderful neighbors. $25.00
Memory of Tony Caracciolo — Love Aunt Sandy & Uncle John $50.00
In loving memory of Grandma Jo $50.00
In memory of Glen Peter Lacey — Our Angel $25.00
In memory of Betty & Whitey Erickson from the Ball, Dewar, Fauth & Stone Families $100.00
Anonymous $50.00
Merry Christmas from Bill, Sue & Whitey $10.00
May every child be blessed $50.00
Kouroubacalis Spero Charitable Foundation $500.00
In loving memory of Jason McDiarmid and his grandparents George & Rita $100.00
In loving memory of my parents Ed & Peg Mattson – Love Janice & Mike $100.00
Merry Christmas — Peter Vogian $200.00
In loving memory of our parents Pat & Gary K. $25.00
In memory of Faith Hamel $100.00
In loving memory of Carol Meaney and Georgianna Marshall — Love Kathy $25.00
In loving memory of William and Lillian Meaney — Love Kathy $25.00
In loving memory of Ann Marie Martin — Love Mom, Dad, Terry, John and Jodie $25.00
In loving memory of Eileen Martin Carvalho — Love Marcelo, Mom, Dad, Terry, John & Jodie $25.00
In memory of Morris Sullivan & Elizabeth Sullivan $100.00
I offer up my family this season $25.00
In memory of Joseph E. Marinello & James A Fletcher $200.00
Anonymous $50.00
In memory of Marcia $125.00
We’re proud to renew our commitment to families in need — All States Transport Inc. $7,500.00
For good health for our family JMC & AGC $5.00
In loving memory of our parents: Bill, Adele, Al and Stella — JMC & AGC $5.00
Thank you, St. Jude, for prayers answered — JMC $5.00
In loving memory of my guardian angel, Marcia — JMC $5.00
In honor of our children and granddaughter who have brought us so much joy. — JMC & AGC $5.00
Received $12,483.00
Total to date $62,071.00
Still needed $62,929.00
