The marks Toy for Joy's 89th season.
SPRINGFIELD - More than 4,000 Greater Springfield families have signed up for Toy for Joy this holiday season.
This marks the 89th annual Toy for Joy campaign; jointly sponsored by the Salvation Army and The Republican, the campaign is working to raise $150,000 by Dec. 23 to bring toys and gifts to children in need this holiday season.
Maj. Thomas E. Perks, co-commander of the Greater Springfield Salvation Army Citadel, said that a special makeup registration day held on Friday pushed the number of participating families over the 4,000 mark.
“It’s been pretty steady,” Perks said Friday afternoon.
Toy for Joy distribution at the Salvation Army’s Greater Springfield Citadel begins tomorrow
Last year nearly 20,000 children from Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties benefited from the holiday toy campaign.
Hasbro, Inc. is joining Toy for Joy as a partner, providing some of the toys which will be distributed. Hasbro has a long history of helping families in Western Massachusetts during the holidays and this year is no different.
Maj. Linda-Jo Perks, co-commander, said that volunteers from Hasbro and elsewhere, helped the registration process run smoothly.
“They kept moving things along and people had very small waits,” she said.
By teaming with the Toy for Joy campaign, Hasbro, The Republican and the Salvation Army bring over 100 combined years of experience managing programs that help families in need give their children a toy or game to unwrap on their holiday.
Toy for Joy relies on donations made by readers of The Republican and Masslive.com.
Recent donations include $200 from the Italian American Veterans Post 84 in East Longmeadow.
The total raised to date for Toy for Joy is $24,073. That leaves $125,927 to be raised.
For more information, call 733-1518. To make a contribution to the Toy for Joy fund, write: Toy for Joy, P.O. Box 3007, Springfield 01102. Contributions may also be dropped off with the coupon to The Republican, 1860 Main St., Springfield, weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. through Dec. 23.
Here’s a list of the latest contributors:
In memory of Bronislaw and Josephine Kasperek and Romeo and Priscilla Martin, $20
In memory of Tom Jekot, love Betty, $100
In memory of my husband Arthur Krowchenko, $25
Linda, $10
In memory of Lorena Gail, $10
In loving memory of Bob and Diane from the Agin family, $10
In loving memory of my father Samuel Rigby, $10
In loving memory of Ken and Margaret Smiledge and David and Edward Dietz from their family, $100
In memory of my Mom Marjorie with love, $100
In loving memory of Nancy and Arthur K. Strole, greatly missed from the Stroles, $25
In loving memory of Rena and Perry E. Hall and Mary E. Grenier from the Stroles, $25
God bless the children, $25
Nancy, $25
For Rocky Nelson who loved all children from Jim and Maryann Lord, $25
Merry Christmas from Michael and Kelly, $50
Paul and Victoria, $25
Thank you St. Jude for favors granted, MML, $50
In loving memory of Robert Van Brocklyn and Mark Satter, they loved Christmas, $30
In memory of our sons Walter Jr. and Daniel, $25
Merry Christmas from Minnie, $5
I have so many blessings, $20
Merry Christmas from Tatum and Tenley, $100
Merry Christmas from Judith, $25
In loving memory of Lynn and GG, $50
SJC, $25
Merry Christmas to all, $20
In memory of the best Mom and Dad, love Reg, $50
In memory of Anna and Edward Bushaw from Eddie and Kristen, $25
Gail and Billy, $100
In memory of Jim Harp, $100
In memory of Leo Malanson, love your wife, children and grandchildren, $10
In honor of St. Jude, $21
In memory of Walter and Sally Jurkowski, $50
Anonymous, $15
In memory of all our deceased members from Italian American War Vets Post 64, $200
In loving memory of Alice Methe and Elizabeth Soja from Jim and Deb, $25
In memory of Gene-Stanley and Irish, $25
In memory of David Mutch from Sara and Becky, $25
In loving memory of Jason DeGray, $50
In memory of Gramma Christmas, $50
Remember Marge and Flip Phillips and Mamie and Pop Moores, $50
Have a blessed Christmas from Linn and Fred, $15
For health and blessings for Marcia, JMC, $20
In memory of Meme and Pepe Wheeler, Memere and Pepere Boissy and Steve from the Wheelers, $50
In loving memory of Uncle Billy, Auntie MaryAnne and Uncle JB, miss you Stephanie and Michelle Pirroni, $40
In loving memory of George R and George W Waterman, sadly missed by their family, $25
Mohammad, $100
Happy Holidays from Sam Mainville, $10
Helen, $25
Edward, $20
In loving memory of Bobby Blair, love Mom and Dad, $10
In loving memory of Ed Wesloski (River Rat), love Vickie and Diane, $10
RECEIVED, $2,056
TOTAL TO DATE, $24,073
STILL NEEDED, $125,927