When Toy for Joy toys and books are distributed to children in the coming days, Team ROVI will be there.
As usual.
“We’ve done this for the last five years. This is my first year as more or less the supervisor, but I’ve been there every year as a volunteer, partaking in the distribution,” says Lauren Czarniecki, the ROVI director of training and operation.
“We’ve had good (weather) days, and we’ve had rainy or snowy days. But whatever the case, we’ll be there,” Czarniecki said.
Sponsored by the Salvation Army, Toy for Joy is in its 103rd year. Every year, deserving children of Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties are provided with toys, books and games they would otherwise not enjoy, through generous donations from local and regional individuals, families, groups and organizations.
The campaign that began in early November is less than three weeks away from its Christmas Eve finish line. If the Toy for Joy goal of $125,000 is to be realized, generous donors are still needed to contribute, as many have done in the first month of the drive.
A wonderful gift of $4,525 was received from the Steven & Georgianne Roberts Donor Advised Fund. Any donation of any size helps the cause fulfill its mission.
Link to Libraries bolstered the literacy component to the campaign on Wednesday. The Hampden-based nonprofit delivered 1,000 age-appropriate books to the Salvation Army for distribution to the children.
Volunteers from ROVI at REAL Brokerage (the full formal name of the real estate agency) are essential as well. Without their support, the thousands of children who benefit from the campaign might be left out of holiday joy.
Either that, or the sponsoring Salvation Army would have to consider paid distribution help, diverting the resources that now go directly to the children.
ROVI at REAL Brokerage is headquartered in Agawam but has agencies and serves customers throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island.
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.
Pickup dates will be Dec. 9, 10, 11, 15 and 16. Registered recipients must bring their email confirmation and photo ID for pickup. For information, please call 733-1518.
More donations are urgently needed. 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.
The drive will again deliver age-appropriate toys, games and books to thousands of deserving children age 16 and under.
On Monday from 3 to 8 p.m., La Cucina di Hampden House will hold its annual Toy for Joy event. Diners who bring in an unwrapped toy will receive a 50 percent discount on any entree.
Here is a list of recent contributions:
Grateful for our Family! $50.00
Anonymous $50.00
In memory of Frances Potter-Colvin and Tom Potter $100.00
Merry Christmas! $100.00
In loving memory of my husband Delt Learned $30.00
Anonymous $100.00
Grateful for family and friends $100.00
In memory of Ethel F. Clara F., Helen L., Eddie J. Jr & Mary Brown $200.00
Happy Holidays $40.00
For blessings received in 2025, H&K $25.00
Merry Christmas from Jim & Sally $50.00
In memory of Tiz and Gus. Love, Aimee $25.00
Sarge, Lucy, Pepper $50.00
In loving memory of our parents $100.00
In memory of all my deceased friends and family $20.00
Maintain $300.00
Merry Christmas $25.00
In memory of my wife Jean Ryan $25.00
Anonymous $200.00
Merry Christmas from G&G $350.00
Anonymous $200.00
In memory of our parents $20.00
In memory of my husband Bob. Mary Ellen $100.00
A loving tribute to Duncan and my brother Ronnie $50.00
Harry Grodsky & Co., Inc. Office Staff $2,000.00
Thank you St. Jude PLP $100.00
From my grandkids to all kids — Mya, Kayla, Alexa, Riley, Gavin & Elliana $150.00
In memory of our good friend Gary Watson $25.00
To honor all my deceased loved ones with love from Chris $100.00
Anonymous $50.00
In memory of my mom and dad “Chickie and Eddie” — Love, Sharon $25.00
In loving memory of Paul S. and Paul B. Carlson $25.00
Merry Christmas to all everywhere! Love Gianna, Michael, Jillie, Ben $100.00
Anonymous $20.00
RECEIVED $4,905.00
TOTAL TO DATE $37,565.00
STILL NEEDED $87,435.00
