The West Springfield-based company gave $500.
SPRINGFIELD - Direct Results of West Springfield has boosted the Toy for Joy campaign with a $500 donation in honor of its former officer manager, the late Ruth LaBelle of Holyoke.
John P. Epstein, owner of the company, said LaBelle, who passed away six years ago this month, left an indelible mark on the company, its employees and its customers.
“She would just bring out things in people, she was very wise, very generous and she was giving of herself in many ways that went way beyond money,” Epstein said. “She looked out for people, she looked out for their well-being.”
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.
The $500 donation that honors LaBelle is part of a recently-received batch tallying to $2,180. The total raised to date is $28.900. That leaves $121,100 to be raised.
Last year, the holiday toy campaign provided games, toys and gifts for nearly 20,000 children in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties.
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.
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.
Hasbro employees are among the volunteers who have been aiding the Salvation Army with registration of families and with distribution of the toys and gifts. Distribution of toys at the Greater Springfield Citadel started Tuesday and will continue through Friday.
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 Joseph Kolodziejski, $100
In memory of my husband Stanley Janas from wife Irene Janas, $25
In memory of Stella, Vincent and Philip Rzasa, love Julie, $25
In memory of Roger Martin and Fr Thomas Flower, $25
For my friend Mary who loved Christmas, love Bobbi, $25
In memory of my wife Theresa, Merry Christmas, $25
In memory of Earl Carter and Trixie, love FatBoy, $20
In memory of Sis and Phil Sheremeta from the kids, $10
From the Hansen family, $50
In loving memory of Lauretta “Toots” Scott and Raymond “Newt” Scott from their niece Sandy, $20
In honor of Cameron Jackson of Apex, NC, $10
Kathleen, $15
Phil and Felicia, $15
Merry Christmas, $25
In loving memory of Lauretta “Toots and Raymond “Newt” Scott, Ronnie, $30
Happy Holidays from Scott, Maureen, Ryan and Timothy Denault, $100
The members of American Legion Auxiliary Liberty Unit 430, $25
Philip, $25
In loving memory of our only siblings Anne and Tom who died last Christmas from Sandy and Pat, $25
For the memory of my brother Joe who loved Christmas, $25
In memory of my husband John Lenilko from Jean, $10
In memory of Dziadziu and Grandpa, love you both, Caitlin, $25
In loving memory of Michael Jester, $25
In memory of Josephine Gittles my wife from family, $10
In memory of my husband Mike from Vivian, $20
In loving memory of Bill, Eleanor, Billy, Arthur and Hanna, $30
In loving memory of my mother Cecelia from daughter Shirley, $20
Blessed Christmas to all from the Sullivan family, $100
In memory of Robert and Gloria Kemple who so loved Christmas, $200
God bless the children, $10
For Maxie, a fine lady and BFF to Chris Wargo and family, Auntie Susan, $10
Memory of Tessie Lapinski and all we can only hold dear in our hearts, Susan, $10
Brilliant sunsets for “Whoopa” Biziljs and Wargos, Auntie Susan, $10
Seasons to all from Susan Lapinski, $5
Anonymous, $25
Anonymous, $10
Janice, $150
Maurice, $20
Robert, $50
Edward and Marta, $100
In memory of B and R, Merry Christmas, $100
Just wanted to give back and put a smile on a kids face from Scott, $20
Merry Christmas to all, God Bless America from Gallerani Electric Co., Inc., $100
In memory of Ruth LaBelle who brought joy to all she met, from the employees of Direct Results, $500
RECEIVED, $2,180
TOTAL TO DATE, $28,900
STILL NEEDED, $121,100