This year's goal is $150,000 to provide for the distribution of toys, books and others gifts more than 16,000 needy families in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties.
Salvation Army Captain John Ferreira, left and his wife Captain Ronda Ferreira, are the corps officers at the Springfield citadel.SPRINGFIELD – The 90th annual Toy for Joy holiday campaign got off to a busy start last week with approximately 3,000 Greater Springfield families signing up for gifts for their children.
Toy for Joy is sponsored by The Republican and the Salvation Army. Toy company Hasbro joined as partner last year, and will be donating a portion of the toys for the program.
This year, the program is being overseen by Salvation Army Capts. John and Ronda Ferreira, who took over this summer as co-commanders of the citadel from Thomas and Linda-Jo Perks, who have been reassigned to the Midwest.
Ronda Ferreira said the sign-ups went smoothly thanks to the many volunteers – an average of 25 a day. “We were so pleased with the way the week worked and it couldn’t have happened without them,” she said.
“People were processed quickly and they went away happy,” said Danielle LaTaille, director of Social Services at the citadel.
Volunteers included 25 from Greater Springfield Senior Services. “They were excellent,” Ferreira said.
Registration for the program ended Friday.
Last year, the program raised more than $167,000, much of it from readers of The Republican and MassLive.com. The funds provide for the distribution of toys, books and others gifts more than 16,000 needy families in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties. This year’s goal, like last year's, is $150,000.
Hasbro also has a history of giving in Western Massachusetts during the holidays. The company ended its own Giving Tree program after partnering with Toy for Joy last year.
Contributions to date tally to $4,980, leaving $145,020 to be raised.
For more information, call (413) 733-7581. To make a contribution to the Toy for Joy fund, write: Toy for Joy, P.O. Box 3007, Springfield, MA 01102. Contributions may also be dropped off with the coupon at The Republican, 1860 Main St., Springfield, weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. until Dec. 21.
Here’s a list of the latest contributors:
- Merry Christmas from Heather and Heidi, $25
- Gail and Billy, $100
- In loving memory of my brother Jim Borgo, $15
- In memory of my parents John and Viola Swider, $25
- In memory of Joey Pike, $25
- In loving memory of Nonnie from Richard and Lee Anne, $25
- Thinking of Brownie, Gilbert and Nat from Lena and Nat, $25
- Merry Christmas to all from Connie and Dick, $50
- Anonymous, $5
- In loving memory of Ellen C. Dandurand from husband and daughters, $10
- In memory of Frank, $20
- Roberta, $25
- In memory of Theda-Rae, love Don and family, $20
- Remembering my Mom and Dad Marion and Walter Mercier who always made Christmas special, love Nancy and Ed, $30
- In memory of Jeanne and Tom D. and Catherine and Bill C., $50
- Sheila, $15
- Loving memory of Carl Duso, $100
- In memory of our Pepere, we miss you, $20
- For health and happiness, $50
- In thanksgiving and remembrance, Terry Devine, $15
- Merry Christmas from Lynn and Gary, $50
- In memory of Edie, Mary and Emma, $50
- In memory of Lorena Gail, $10
- From our grandkids, Nathan, Dominic, Sara, Lawren and Sydney, $25
- In loving memory of Lynn and her dogs, $50
- In memory of my husband Victor, $10
- In loving memory of Donald C. Couchan, $30
- In memory of Minnie, $25
- For my dear friend Mary from Phil, $25
- In fond remembrance of my loving wife Fran from Phil, $25
- In memory of Donald and Ann Beaudry, $150
RECEIVED: $1,100
TOTAL TO DATE: $4,980
STILL NEEDED: $145,020