More than 2,000 families will receive toys from Toy for Joy this year - MassLive.com

It’s become a tradition at the Salvation Army to give out Toy for Joy gifts to families several weeks before Christmas.

“The toys are given to the families unwrapped so they can take them home, wrap them and give them to their children on Christmas Day or whenever they open presents,” said Danielle LaTaille, social services director for the Salvation Army.

Toy for Joy is a collaborative effort by the Salvation Army in association with The Republican, El Pueblo Latino and MassLive. This year’s goal is to raise $150,000 by Christmas Day to provide gifts to children in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties.

In its 97th year, the campaign is joined by media partners at Reminders Publishing and The Westfield News. Its community partners include the Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation, Pride Stores and Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi.

Handing out presents a few weeks before Christmas also makes it easier for the Salvation Army to help families who may have forgotten to bring their identification or the ticket assigned to them during registration.

Capt. Nancy Garces who along with her husband, Capt. Miguel Garces, leads the Holyoke Salvation Army, said even though they registered 695 families she knows more will show up in the days leading up to Christmas.

“There is a lot of need and it hurts us to turn anyone away, that is why donations are so important,” she said.

This year Springfield registered 1,500 families while Holyoke registered 695 families. In Greenfield, registrations were still being accepted on Dec. 12, but there were already 145 families on the list.

Springfield and Holyoke will distribute toys on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, while Greenfield will have distribution on Wednesday.

“Everyone has a scheduled appointment so we can serve all of our families on the same day,” said Brenda Arroyo, social services caseworker at the Greenfield Salvation Army.

With 11 days left until Christmas, Toy for Joy has raised $37,837 of its $150,000 goal, leaving a gap of $112,163.

Contributions from individuals, companies or groups may be mailed with the coupon accompanying this story to The Republican, 1860 Main St., Springfield, MA 01101. They may also be dropped off in person on weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. at The Republican offices.

Online donations may be made at give.salvationarmy.org/toyforjoy.

Here is a list of recent contributions:

Love and miss you Jake $20

In memory of Barbara, who always made the holidays special $25

Love Amber, Betsy and GPS $25

Anonymous $100

A wonderful fund. Thanks for all you do for the kids $100

Our lucky cat, Mikie $20

In memory of Raymond Barrett, veteran of World War II $50

In memory of Fred and Margaret Harkins $50

In memory of Hilda and George Belhumeur $50

In memory of my parents and brothers $25

In memory of the Siegel and Moore families $20

In memory of Mal $50

Merry Christmas from Margaret and Bill $50

In memory of Edward Barry $25

In memory of grandpas Charlie and Ken and grandmas Marie and Margie $50

Merry Christmas from Tom and Fran $25

In memory of Mr. Robert and Marilyn Weber $25

In loving memory of Sonny and Danny Boy $100

In loving memory of Billy Bond, Scott Skrzyniarz, Matt Mierzwinski $50

Peace on Earth, goodwill towards men $50

In memory of Irene McNulty $25

In honor of all my cousins. Merry Christmas from Daniel $100

In loving memory of Dr. and Mrs. Francis M. Austin $30

Every child deserves a gift $50

In loving memory of our cherished son, Stephen, from Tom and Janis Phaneuf $200

Anonymous $25

In memory of David A. Woods $100

In gratitude for my family and friends $100

In memory of Harry and Alice $25

In memory of Dimitra Kastrinakis. Miss you $20

Happy holidays from Lynn $100

In loving memory of my parents, Grace and Henry Partridge, from Mary $20

In memory of friends and family no longer with us $20

In loving memory of Cheryl Ann Levy $25

Anonymous $75

In loving memory of Vic and Miriam Bissonnette $100

In loving memory of Margaret and Paul DeRaleau. Love, Diane $10

Merry Christmas from Kelsey, Kendra, Cecilia and Tom $25

Received: $1,960

Total to date: $37,837

Still needed: $112,163

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More than 2,000 families will receive toys from Toy for Joy this year - MassLive.com
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