Sen. Eric P. Lesser, D-Longmeadow, grew up seeing Toy for Joy donation lists in The Republican, and as he got older he decided it was a charity he wanted to support.
“Toy for Joy is iconic. It’s identified with Springfield, with Western Massachusetts, with The Republican and the Salvation Army,” said Lesser, who donated $500 this year. “I grew up seeing the Toy for Joy stories in the paper and understanding the importance of what they do.”
Now in its 98th year, Toy for Joy is a cooperative effort by the Salvation Army with The Republican, El Pueblo Latino and MassLive. It seeks to raise $150,000 by Christmas Eve as it distributes gifts to families in need in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties.
Its community partners this year include Pride Stores and Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi. Pride is asking customers at its stores in Western Massachusetts and northern Connecticut to contribute to Toy for Joy by purchasing $1, $5 or $10 donation cards.
Lesser said he has met with many families who find themselves in difficult circumstances for the first time in their lives because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“We know what a hard year this has been for everyone, but especially for families that are vulnerable. Those facing food insecurity, those working in the service, restaurant and hospitality sector that assumed so many devastating job losses,” he said.
Lesser said the importance of Toy for Joys is that it’s local.
“These donations stay in the community. These are our friends and neighbors who are in need,” he said. “In a time that has been very challenging, the most challenging of many of our lifetimes, the Salvation Army has stepped up, they have been the helpers.”
Danielle LaTaille, social services director for the Salvation Army Citadel in Springfield, said no donation is too small.
“We appreciate all of the people who donate, no matter what the amount,” she said. “From the generosity of Sen. Lesser to the companies that donate and the many individual people who want to help, these donations help us serve our community.”
Contributions can be mailed with the coupon that accompanies this story to The Republican, 1860 Main St., Springfield, MA 01103. Online donations can be made at give.salvationarmy.org/toyforjoy.
Contributions may be mailed with this coupon to The Republican, 1860 Main St., Springfield, MA, 01103.
Here is a list of recent contributions:
In memory of Tiz and Gus. Love, Aimee $25
In memory of Uncle Vinny from Ryan, Lauryn, Rachel and Ashley $30
In loving memory of Mom, Dad and Gary Robinson $15
In loving memory of Pat and Gene. Love, Sue $250
Joy to all from Roberta and Kyle $25
Merry Christmas to you. Enjoy our gifts from Joe and Lorraine $25
In loving memory of Carol Meaney and Georgie Marshall. Love, Kathy $25
In loving memory of my parents Sam and Potoula from Sue $20
In loving memory of my parents John and Betty Devine $50
Robert $10
Hope this brings a smile to a little ones face $50
In memory of Ed Dunn, Betty and family $25
Happy holidays, Brownie, Edie, Gilbert, Nat and five grandkids $100
For the kids $25
Louis $50
The Coulomb family $25
In loving memory of my Nonna Norina and Nonno Frank Mancuso by grandson Frankie $25
Happy birthday Jesus $100
Merry Christmas. Love, Reis, Will, Hunter and Henry $250
In lieu of Christmas cards, happy holidays from Paul and Marguerite $25
Members of the Atalanta Club $300
Spread joy to all, start with our children $300
In memory of my mom, Dorothy Beauregard $20
I remember when. Thank you $50
Merry Christmas from the Adamses $50
In loving memory of my Nonno Francesco Lacopo by grandson Frankie $25
Memory of my mother Eva, who loved Toy for Joy $30
Merry Christmas from Alex, Jayce and Logan $50
In the memory of Fred and Eleanor Dziewit $10
Merry Christmas, Mom. Please wear your mask from Rick $20
In memory of Darney and Dilk families $50
Pat $20
Mary $100
In memory of EJ $150
Merry Christmas Grandma and Grandpa Navone. Love, Meg and Brie $100
Remembering Dot and Ray Hosley and George and June Keefe $25
Peace and contentment in the new year from Marian $15
In memory of Michael S. and Marion J. $100
Missing you mom. So grateful for all our wonderful Christmas memories from Dana $10
In dear memory of Dr. L. Lester Cohan, my father, my best friend. Love, Lana $20
In loving memory of Claire Bourque $100
In memory of Mary Phelon $100
In memory of my dad, G. Arthur Denton $25
In memory of Natalia Keefe from the Picky McQuade family $50
Memory of Morris and Elizabeth Sullivan $100
For deceased friends Yvette B. and Irene H. $25
Merry Christmas from Margaret $25
Ron and Pat $20
Merry Christmas from Mark and Linda $25
In memory of Genevieve Vaz $20
In loving memory of William E. Meaney and Lillian Meaney. Love, Kathy $25
Thomas $35
Merry Christmas kids from Joe and Joanne $50
In memory of Mom, Dad, Sandy, Shirley, Shane and JJ $30
In memory of Stephen $50
For all of our loved ones present and passed from Lisa $200
In loving remembrance of my brothers Michael and Jack from Joan $25
In loving memory of Ralph O’Brien. Always in our hearts from his family $75
In loving memory of Irene Belanger $50
Happy holidays, Delaney, Hildreth grandchildren $50
Remembering Stanley and Ethel Cortis $25
Remembering Gene Brassard with love $25
In memory of Bob, Charlie and Phyllis. Love, Glen and Jane $20
Merry Christmas from Thomas and Lynne $50
In memory of John and Ceil Kennedy and Grace and Sparky Armstrong $50
In loving memory of Jeffrey Martin Urban $50
In memory of Maurice and Kathleen Murphy from their family $25
In memory of Joe Leahy from Eileen and family $25
In memory of Christy and Elizabeth Karr from their family $25
In memory of Dan and Rita Manning from their family $25
Terrence and Helen $15
Merry Christmas from Ron Abdow $250
In memory of Dennis $25
George and Katherine $125
In memory of Tommy Egan Jr., from 13 special children $25
In memory of Nanny and Gramp from 13 special grandchildren $25
Merry Christmas John, Jackie, Bruce and Marie $100
In loving memory of my husband Claude from Chris $100
In appreciation of my five grandchildren, Sarah, Lucas, Britton, Livia and Autumn from Oma $100
In memory of Grammy, from Tom and Connie $25
Happy holidays from Tiera $10
Happy holidays from state Sen. Eric Lesser $500
Received $5,270
Total to date $97,879.60
Still needed $52,120.40
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