Donors have contributed to the campaign for more than three generations.
View full sizeTo get a printable version of this coupon that you can mail in with your donation, click on "view full size" above. SPRINGFIELD - The 91st annual Toy for Joy campaign, sponsored by The Republican and the Salvation Army, kicks off today with the help of campaign partner Hasbro.
The program, which aims to provide toys and gifts to needy families in Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden counties, has a fund-raising goal of $150,000 by Christmas Eve.
“For more than three generations, donors from our region have contributed to Toy for Joy in good times and bad,” said Wayne E. Phaneuf, executive editor of The Republican. “Many of them know first hand what a difference these donations can make to children during the holiday season. We thank those in advance for their generosity in the upcoming drive to help make a difference.”
This year’s Toy for Joy campaign is beginning with more than $500 received in donations over the course of the summer and fall from friends and family of the late Lisa Sawicki, 48, of Chicopee, who died in August after fighting cancer.
The head medical clerk at the Hampden County Correctional Center in Ludlow, Sawicki was a volunteer for Toys for Tots. Near the end of her life, she asked friends and family to make a toy donation to Toys for Tots or a monetary donation to the Toy for Joy campaign.
Hasbro's association with Toy for Joy began two years ago when it united its Giving Tree effort with the campaign.
Jeff Lombard of Longmeadow, senior vice president of domestic manufacturing for toy company Hasbro, said, “Hasbro has a long history in this region of providing toys and games to families in need at the holidays. This program means so much to our employees, who volunteer every year to help with the registration, as well as unloading and handing out the toys and games.”
Added Lombard, “As in previous years our team has worked closely with the Salvation Army on the need to carefully tailor the donation in terms of gender and age breakdowns.”
“The holiday donation programs we have in place in the communities where our employees live and work - such as the Toy for Joy - are focused on giving children in need a present to unwrap on their holiday by providing a toy or game for the parents to give. We want to make sure parents don’t lose out on that chance to provide some holiday magic and memories to their children. It’s that simple.”
Capt. Ronda Ferreira, of the Greater Springfield Citadel of the Salvation Army, said she is thrilled for the partnership with The Republican and Hasbro.
Last year Toy for Joy served more than 3,000 families and provided gifts for more than 14,000 children in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties. “We are expecting to serve a similar number this year,” Ferreira said.
Registration officially starts on Dec. 2, although some units are already accepting sign-ups. Dates and hours vary with each unit. For more information about Toy for Joy, call (413) 733-1518.
For more information, call 733-7581. 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 at The Republican, 1860 Main St., Springfield, weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. until Dec. 24.
Here’s a list of the latest contributors:
- In memory of Lisa Sawicki from Mark, $25
- In memory of Lisa Sawicki, $15
- In memory of Lisa Sawicki from Kathleen and Charles, $25
- In memory of Lisa Sawicki from Kirk and Betsy, $25
- In memory of Lisa Sawicki, $20
- In memory of Lisa Sawicki, $25
- In memory of Lisa Sawicki from Mark, $50
- In memory of Lisa Sawicki from Susan, $25
- In memory of Lisa Sawicki from Sheriff Michael J. Ashe Jr. and staff, $100
STILL NEEDED, $149,424
To make a contribution to the Toy for Joy, write: Toy for Joy, P.O. Box 3007, Springfield, MA 01102. Contributions also may be dropped off with the coupon at The Republican, 1860 Main St., Springfield, weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. through Dec. 24.
Toy registration
Here are the times for families to register at Salvation Army sites for the 91st annual Toy for Joy campaign:
Springfield
Greater Springfield Citadel: 170 Pearl St., Springfield; Dec. 2-6, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; for info, call (413) 733-1518; serves Agawam, Chicopee, East Longmeadow, Hampden, Ludlow, Palmer, Mon´son, Springfield, Ware, West Springfield, Wilbraham ÂÂ
Greenfield
Greenfield Service Center: 72 Chapman St., Greenfield; Dec. 2-3, 9 a.m.-noon; for info, call 773-3154; serves Hampshire and Franklin counties ÂÂ
Holyoke
Holyoke Citadel: 271 Appleton St., Holyoke; Dec. 9-20, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; for info, call (413) 532-6312; serves Holyoke, South Hadley, Granby
Westfield
Westfield Service Center: 12 Arnold St., Westfield; through Dec. 6, weekdays 9 a.m.-noon; for info, call (413) 568-1256; serves Westfield, Southwick, Russell, Chester, Granville and hilltowns
Required documentation
Participants must bring the following documents: Photo ID for head of household; proof of address (within the last 30 days); MassHealth cards or other identifying information for any child age 16 or younger; and birth certificates (or passports) for any child age 16 and younger.