Steve Roberts and his wife split time between their Longmeadow home and Cape Cod, but their hearts never really leave Western Massachusetts.
Every year, the Steven and Georgianne Roberts Donor Advised Fund remembers the children of Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties. Their 2024 donation of $4,024 will brings smiles to the faces of countless children who would have likely been otherwise left out of the joy children experience during the Christmas season.
“My wife and myself are pleased to be able to contribute substantially to this cause,” Roberts said.
“I retired eight years ago, and that’s how long we’ve been involved with Toy for Joy (through this fund). But F.L. Roberts had been participating long before that,” he said.
Roberts owned the gas and convenience store chain before selling it and retiring in 2016. At its peak, F.L. Roberts had about 100 locations.
Roberts estimated that over time, he had sold about half of them before selling the rest eight years ago. He has always understood that while his hard work produced success, others are not so fortunate through no fault of their own.
“I never suffered for Christmas toys. Others are not so fortunate. My wife and I still have that urge to give the kids special treats at Christmas,” he said when making his donation in 2022 — the year Toy for Joy marked its historic 100th year.
The campaign is now in its 102nd year, and for Roberts and his wife, this year’s contribution was even more generous than usual. The good-natured retired businessman is carrying on a cherished tradition he maintained in his years as owner of F.L. Roberts, when he made sure his locations distributed toys to children.
The Toy for Joy campaign continues until Dec. 24, with a goal of $150,000. The drive that began in early November is heading into its final stages and needs the support of individuals, businesses and agencies to be a success — but with two weeks to go, it’s not too late for citizens and groups to bring smiles to the faces of children by making a donation.
One such organization is Link to Libraries, a Hampden-based nonprofit that delivered 1,000 books to the Toy for Joy campaign.
Link to Libraries especially promotes reading and literacy for children who may not otherwise have easy access to the joy or learning through reading. Toy for Joy provides such an outlet; promoting literacy has been an essential component of the campaign for many, many years.
All Toy for Joy contributions will be recognized and published in The Republican and Reminder Publications, and online by MassLive.com
The campaign is supported by volunteers from individuals and groups. Among them are Eversource, the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office, and ROVI Homes of Western Mass., a technologically advanced real estate agency based in Agawam.
Toy for Joy couponThe Republican, file
“ROVI Homes is sending out a big group to help. We’re very grateful,” said Danielle LaTaille, social ministries director for the Salvation Army.
All donations will be published in The Republican, Reminder Publications, and online by MassLive.com.
A coupon published with Toy for Joy stories 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 https://give.salvationarmy.org/give/212002/#!/donation/checkout
Information about pickup can be found at the registration link, which is https://www.salvationarmyma.org/toyforjoy. Distribution will be at the Springfield, Holyoke and Greenfield locations of the Salvation Army. Details for pickup vary based on location, and those details for each site are available on the link.
Distribution at the Springfield Citadel at 170 Pearl Street began Wednesday. It will continue Thursday, as well as Monday through Wednesday next week.
It is estimated that at least 1,600 families, and 3,500 to 4,000 children, will receive toys, books and games at the Springfield location alone.
In Holyoke and Greenfield, distribution dates and times were assigned upon registration.
Applicants have received an email confirmation with their toy distribution date and time.
They must bring their email confirmation and photo ID for pickup. Their pickup time will be listed under “Order Summary.”
More information can be obtained by calling 413-733-1518.
Latest Toy for Joy donations:
An exciting cause and glad to help out from Steven and Georgianne Roberts 4024
Remembering Laura Chimelis, 1959-2023 who loved all children 1000
Kathleen 25
Merry Christmas from the Mason family 100
In memory of Kevin and Glenn Madison, from Dad and Mom 100
God bless and Merry Christmas 25
In memory of our parents from Jim and Maureen 150
In memory of my husband Bob 100
Best wished for the holiday from Ted and Judi 25
In honor of Kate, Mackenzie, Mary Elyse and Erin 30
Jesus came into the world for everyone, God bless 40
In memory of the aunts, Grace and Ange 25
In memory of Grandma Jo 50
In honor of Brown, Busek grandparents 25
Jason and Justin 25
In memory of Tommy Egan Jr., from 14 special children 25
In memory of Nanny and Gramp from 13 special grandchildren 25
Paul and Mary Perron 100
Michele 20
RIP Mom and Dad RIP 30
Remembering Vo’Lilly, Vo’Joe, Vo’Binda from Ava and Cole 20
Jean 150
Paula 50
Miss you Sage, see you at the “Rainbow Bridge” 50
In memory of Ruth Batson Weston 200
Anonymous 25
In memory of my mother Julia 50
My daughter Amy 100
In memory of Anna, Sophie and Viola 100
In memory of Jean Ryan 25
Merry Christmas from Cliff and Debbie 25
A very Merry Christmas to all 25
Blessings at Christmas from Jack and Dianne 30
In memory of the Sieron, Skorka and Lavelle families 30
Erik and Diane 50
In loving memory of Gladys and Beenie P and Kent, Jean and Gladys M 50
In celebration of our grandson David’s birthday 75
In memory of Dora who loved Christmas from Stephen 35
Wishing you one and all a Merry Christmas 125
For the children with love, xoxo, ASV 15
To those gone but not forgotten 25
Merry Christmas Mikey, Doreen, 6 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren from Papa and Nanny 200
In loving memory of Hank and Ann Prunckun, Lester and Enis MacLeod 68
Loving memory of Carl Duso 100
Peace and love from Moira, Collin, Elijah, Joshua and Liliana 50
In loving memory of my husband Richard Burrage 25
Ray and Gerri Crowley 50
In loving memory of my parents George and Mary Burgess 25
Thank you St. Jude, PLP 100
Merry Christmas everyone 25
Merry Christmas 25
In loving memory of deceased family members from Jim and Sue 100
In loving memory of David Duchesreau, 1-15-66 – 5-16-24, love Mitz and Carole 10
In memory of Barb, forever friend 25
Janice 250
In memory of all the family we have lost from Howard 100
Blessings from Sandi, honoring Mary O’Neill Vella and Paul H LaValley 50
In honor of our grandchildren Dominic, Nico, Emma and Zoey Cirelli 40
In memory of John Tuohey 25
Anonymous 100
In memory of Mom, Dad and Bob 30
For good health for our family, JMC/AGC 5
In loving memory of our parents, Bill, Adele, Al and Stella, JMC/AGC 5
Thank you St. Jude for prayers answered, JMC/AGC 5
In loving memory of my guardian angel, Marcia, JMC 5
In honor of our children and grandchildren who have brought us so much joy, JMC/AGC 5
In memory of Lynn and her dogs 100
In memory of Faith Smith, thank you so much 10
In memory of Jim Renauld, Dr. Bob’s friend and everyone else’s too 10
In loving memory of Ann Marie Martin, 12/17/66 – 8/22/79, love Mom, Dad, Terry and John 25
In loving memory of Eileen Martin Carvalho, 8/6/65 – 11/29/23, love Mom, Dad, Terry, John and Marcelo 25
Merry Christmas from Lexi and Peanut 50
In memory of Stell, who loved Toy for Joy 100
For the “Fangs” Jack, Bob, Bill and Donald 100
Merry Christmas from Bob, Cheryl, Donna and Dan 200
In memory of Bryan Sunter 100
From Jeanne, my husband loved Christmas 25
Buster, Oreo, Missy, Pebbles and Shaina 25
In memory of Diann, Jennie, Art, Eleanor and Joe 30
For Chuck 25
Merry Christmas 35
In loving memory of our parents, Fred and Audrey Consolmagno 25
Shout out to Ron Chimelis 50
Paul and Mary Perron 100
Merry Christmas from Finn 30
Anonymous 25
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 125
Golden sunset wishes for Christopher Bizilj 25
Have a wonderful Christmas 50
Happy heavenly anniversary Faye and Mario 50
Happy Holidays from the Donoghue’s 300
Peace and justice for all 300
In memory of family who have passed from the Kaddys 50
In loving memory of little Colleen 50
Remembering Christmases past and wishing for peace for all 150
In loving memory of Mom and Dad who made every Christmas special, xoxo, Deborah 100
Anonymous 20
For my mother and father, Harold and Edna Costa 100
Merry Christmas from Alex, Jayce and Logan 25
With gratitude for the best family and friends 100
Hugs for a joyous season 75
In memory of Jack Ziemba, from the Brissetts 30
In memory of my parents, Henry and Grace Partridge, love Mary Martin 26
In loving memory of Michael Schiavina and his parents Anne and Caesar Schiavina, loved and missed by Kathy, Mark and Maura 100
In memory of loved ones 25
Peace and joy to all 100
All the best for a happy Christmas 50
From our Mikie 25
Anonymous 30
Remembering the six Worcester firefighters, 25 years 25
Merry Christmas to Audrey and Connor 25
In memory of Nick, Samantha, Baby DeFeo 100
In loving memory of Billy Bond, Scott Skrzyniara and Matthew Mierzwinski 100
Merry Christmas from Barbara and John 50
In loving memory of Jeff P., Mike C and Ken M 75
Mom, Emily Witaszek, still in my heart 20
In memory of Bernie and Ernie Cardin 50
In loving memory of our parents, Paul and Araxie Bagian (LPS) 25
In memory of Tiz and Gus, love Aimee 25
Antonio and Deborah 250
In memory of my mom and dad, “Chickie and Eddie”, love Sharon 25
In honor of George Ditomassi 1000
In memory of David and Matthew who loved the holidays 50
In memory of Bob and Julie Cross 50
In loving memory of John D O’Neil Sr., Mary O’Neil, Lucy O’Neil and Yvonne Nelson 25
In loving memory of Sheila O’Neil-Ryan, John D. O’Neil Jr and Kevin and Kathleen O’Neil 25
In memory or Rich, I miss you so much, love Maureen 300
In memory of Pierre, Finnegan, Kelsey, Melvin, Milton, Moses, Monkey and Fawn 300
In memory of Edwin and Nancy Shea 500
In memory of Paul and Billie, we love and miss you, Rachel 100
In memory of those who made our Christmases wonderful from the Cardwells 200
Merry Christmas from my grandkids, Mya, Riley, Gavin, Kayla and Alexa 125
In memory of our son Tony “Momo” Malone 150
In memory of Phyllis and George W Malone Jr. 100
In memory of Ruth LaBelle and John LaBelle from the employees of Direct Results 300
For David who loved Christmas 5
In memory of the Lone Ranger and Tonto, Sioux Indian Chief 1
In memory of my school friend, Jeremy McGorty, Granville, MA 1
Get well Jay Leno, old car and motorcycle expert 1
To my favorite TV man, Family Feud, Steve Harvey 1
Merry Christmas and love to all 1
In memory of singers Karen Carpenter and Buddy Holly 1
In loving memory of Muffin 20
In memory of Derek Pelley 25
From Rachel Likover and Scott de Wolski, remembering Meesh 100
Lena and Dominic Skowron 100
Merry Christmas, in loving memory of Mom, Dad and John P 25
Robert C 100
In loving memory of my mother, Gloria Malboeuf Boudah, and my brother, Gary Boudah, from Doreen and Roland Messier 50
In loving memory of my grandparents, Edgar and Bertha Malboeuf from Doreen and Roland Messier 50
In loving memory of Rosaire and Rollande Messier from Roland and Doreen Messier 50
May Jimmy’s love and spirit for giving at Christmas live on! Missing my dear friend! 50
In memory of John Lonergan 25
For the joy of our healthy grandchildren and great grandchildren, love Pop and Ging 100
Thank you Ziggy 500
In memory of Charles Beatty 100
Sandra 25
In honor of our five grandchildren 25
In memory of Madeline Frech, I will miss you forever 100
Blessings, in memory of Michele McCoomb Sheehan 50
Dave and Jackie Owens 25
Judith 100
Karen 25
From our grandkids Eli, Miles, Ivy and Remy 100
God Bless from Jim and Linda 100
Merry Christmas from Linda 25
RECEIVED 17,494
TOTAL TO DATE 51,250
STILL NEEDED 98,750
