Over $117,000 still needs to be raised by Dec. 23.
12/13/11 Springfield - Volunteers Angela Banton, left from Bethel AME Church in Springfield, and Kris Vazquez, right from Hasbro Company, fill a toy order at the Greater Springfield Salvation Army citadel on Pearl Street tuesday as part of the annual Toy For Joy program.
SPRINGFIELD – A small army of volunteers kept toy distribution for the Toy for Joy holiday campaign running smoothly this week at the Salvation Army’s Greater Springfield Citadel.
The volunteers, including about 25 from Hasbro Inc., scurried about like elves Tuesday inside the citadel’s gymnasium as they gathered toys for participating families at the rate of some 200 an hour.
“We are doing really well,” said Maj. Mary-Jo Perks, co-commander of the Greater Springfield Citadel.
Toy distribution here, which follows a pre-arranged schedule, continues through Friday.
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.
Hasbro 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.
Many of the volunteers, including those in blue T-shirts proclaiming them to be members of Team Hasbro, have helped with toy distribution in the past.
“Everybody knows what they are doing,” said Hasbro employee Shawn Jones.
By teaming with the Toy for Joy campaign, Hasbro, The Republican and the Salvation Army bring more than 100 combined years of experience managing programs that help families in need give their children a toy or game to unwrap on their holiday.
Other volunteers included of Lolitta Lowe and Angela Banton, of Bethel AME Church in Springfield.
Banton said she once relied on Toy for Joy to obtain toys, books and games for her foster children. “Ever since then I have always wanted to volunteer,” she said.
“It’s fun giving back to the community,” said Lowe. “You get to see all the smiling faces.”
Recent donations to Toy for Joy include $400 from Environmental Compliance Services and $330 from Ludlow Family Dentisty. Their donations are part of the largest single batch of donations to date which tally to $4,032.
Donations to date stand at $32,932, leaving $117,068 to be raised.
For more information, call (413) 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 loving memory of my Dad, Victor Nystrom who loved Christmas. Happy birthday. Love, VNL, $25
For the children, Merry Christmas, $100
In memory of Mitchell Bender, $250
In memory of Maurice W. Dickey and Marion M. Dickey, $25
In memory of Chrissy Bradway, $10
In loving memory of our sons Richard and Ray, you are missed, $25
Flip and Shirley, $10
From our grandchildren, $25
In memory of Marian, Bill and Sadie who made Christmas fun, $50
Danny and Kathleen, $10
In memory of Grandma Desautels and Popie Galvin. Love, Jolene and Jennifer, $20
In loving memory of Jeannine Reutt with love from husband Dan and family, $40
Pearl, $20
In lieu of holiday cards, wishing holiday joy and peace to all from Tom and Kathy, $50
For our grandson Hunter. Love, Nana, Pop and Aunt Ali, $25
Anonymous, $25
In memory of my two special angels. Love, Peg, $25
In honor of the memory of our grandfather Frank J. Orszulak. Love, Chris, Matt, Justin and Lindsey, $20
In memory of Rita A. Maruca. Love, Karen and George Shea, $100
In loving memory of Jim Kennedy and Annemarie Bredenbeck Kennedy from your family, $25
Raymond, $35
Never stop believing in Santa, $200
In loving memory of Colleen, Tara and Todd, $100
Anonymous, $25
In honor of the memory of our grandfather Russell Trombly. Love, Chris Matt, Justin and Lindsey, $20
In loving memory of my dear sisters Arline, Dorothy and Roberta, $10
God bless everyone for all they do for the children, $10
In memory of Jill Stefanik from CJB, $10
For Evelyn and Helge, $25
In loving memory of my husband Harold, $25
Merry Christmas Matt, Alyssa and Nico. Love, Noni and Grandpa, $5
In memory of deceased members of Mezzetti and DiLullo family and Moe Malanson, $5
In memory of Barbara and John Welch. Miss your smile, Barb. Dolly and Hugo, $5
In memory of Mary Shean, from Dolly and Hugo, $5
For my great, great grandson, $15
William, $200
Merry Christmas from Tiger, $15
In memory of Paul DeRaleau and Vivian Young, $50
In loving memory of Janice, Al, Jim and Whity Boudreau from Ma and the family, $10
Diane, Paul and Albert Verones, $20
In memory of Dick and Ray, $25
In loving memory of Dad, Sonny and Jeffery, $50
Please join us with a gift to help reach the very important $150,000 goal, from Parker and Betty Lou, $35
Merry Christmas from Dave and Marcia, $75
Loving memory of Victor and Jennie Paluck and Stephanie Collins, from Carly, Kevin and Dillon, $75
In memory of loved ones, $100
In memory of Bailey, the best dog in heaven, $25
Memory of family and friends from Mr. and Mrs. R.L. Sands, $25
Anonymous, $75
In memory of Edward Brine, husband and father, $50
Merry Christmas from Max, Evan and Elsa, $25
Merry Christmas kids, $10
In loving memory of Eleanor, Margaret and George Reilly, $25
Our seniors wishing needy children a warm and happy holiday from Foxes and Belles Seniors, $50
In memory of Mildred Winsel from her daughters, $20
In memory of my wonderful mother, Helen Turner, $50
Bondi Island survivors, the most loveable cats in the world, $20
John and Debbie, $25
Merry Christmas from Katherine, $20
Mary, $20
Believe in the magic of Christmas, $50
In loving memory of Art and Janet Kehoe from Kathy and Gary, $25
In loving memory of my cousin Margaret Claire Kehoe, $25
In thanksgiving for our grandchildren Gabby, Ryan, Leah and Ashlyn from Nana and Papa, $20
In memory of Dorothy Leisure, who loved Christmas, $15
In honor of my colleagues at Easthampton High School, $25
Andrews-Rankin, $50
In memory of Grandpa Dave and Nana Bridie, $100
In loving memory of Georgianna Marshall. Love, Carol, Molly and Lacy, $25
In memory of Natala Keefe from Picky, Patti, Bob, Collin and Jenna, $25
In memory of Harry and Claire Broderick. Love, your family, $10
Rachel, a cat who loved Christmas, $2
In memory of Maggie, our beautiful girl. We miss you, $5
Thanks for our beautiful grandkids, Abby, Kate, Quinn and Jack, $50
Keep Christ in Christmas, $100
In memory of my husband Michael and grandson Kenny. Love, Genia, $10
In memory of Mary and Benjamin Bartnicki, my parents. Love, Genia, $10
Sue and Bill Monks, a caring Longmeadow couple, $150
In loving memory of our daughter Allison. Love, Bud and Nancy, $10
Merry Christmas to all from Indian Orchard Masonic Lodge, $100
Merry Christmas from Owen and Nate, $25
Merry Christmas to all from Drs. Szarlan, Wegiel and Mitera, Ludlow Family Dentistry, $330
For a brighter holiday season from Environmental Compliance Services, $400
RECEIVED, $4,032
TOTAL TO DATE, $32,932
STILL NEEDED, $117,068