For nearly 100 years families in Western Massachusetts who may not be able to afford toys for their children at Christmas have depended on Toy for Joy.
In its 96th year Toy for Joy is a collaborative effort by the Salvation Army, The Republican and MassLive. The goal is to raise $150,000 by Dec. 24.
"Each year, the Toy for Joy campaign helps to serve thousands of children in the greater Springfield community," said Salvation Army Major Norma Moore. "Without The Republican/MassLive and its readers, Toy for Joy would not be able to provide gifts to children in need during the Christmas season. Many families stress to us the importance of the Toy for Joy program and that without it, Christmas gifts would not be possible."
This year, for the first time in its history, there will be at least an initial limit on the number of families served in Springfield.
"Toy for Joy now finds itself in very fragile financial position. For the first time in nearly a century, the Salvation Army units with which we partner must set initial limits on the numbers of families each of them can help through Toy for Joy," said Cynthia G. Simison, assistant to the publisher and managing editor at The Republican. "Last year's more than $40,000 shortfall virtually wiped what little remained from prior years' more successful fund drives."
Organizations and businesses like Pride have done their part to raise money for the toy drive, but unfortunately it has not been enough as more families turn to the Salvation Army for help each year.
"We have done outreach to major corporate citizens and worked to team with many area nonprofits which also conduct toy and gift drives for children, but if we continue to be unable to reach the $150,000 goal, it is clear the Salvation Army must set initial limits on those we are able to help. If the goal is met, it will ensure many, of not all, families who are on the waiting lists will be able to be helped," Simison said.
The money donated each holiday season goes towards covering the costs of that year's toys and gifts, explained Simison. The Salvation Army planned to provide gifts just as it had the prior year, and, as a result, "last year's shortfall truly had a major impact on our effort to help those in need in our communities across the region."
In 2017, Toy for Joy distributed books and gifts to children to more than 3,700 families up and down the Pioneer Valley, from Greenfield to Springfield. New last year was the partnership with the Reading Success by 4th Grade initiative of the Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation which ensured each child would receive a book. The partnership goal was to make literacy a key part of the Toy for Joy effort. With guidance from the Reading Success program, the Salvation Army was able to purchase thousands of books this year at a greatly reduced cost, and they are en route for delivery in the next few weeks, according to Simison.
"We could not be more thankful to the kindness and support of the Davis foundation," said Simison. "They recognize all too well what an impact reading and literacy can have on the entire family, not just the children who will receive these books."
said Sally Fuller, retired project director for Reading Success by 4th Grade, said she hopes the books will have a major impact not only on children, but their families as well.
"Most kids get a lot of toys for Christmas and that's wonderful, but those toys may not last more than a week or a month before they are forgotten, but when a child gets a book of their very own they read it over and over again," she said.
Fuller said the Davis Foundation has a commitment to literacy.
"They not only provide grants for programs that promote reading for children, but they truly understand there is such power in children having books of their very own," she said. "Partnering with Toy for Joy has made it possible to get so many more books in the hands of children and that's a wonderful thing."
Despite the financial challenges Toy for Joy has continued to grow over the years and works with donors to make sure children in need in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties have toys and gifts each holiday season.
"This could be a bleak year for families on the edge as many are seeing needs that may not be met. We hope that our loyal readers can once again help make Christmas better for children and families who are struggling," said Wayne E. Phaneuf, executive editor of The Republican.
To make a contribution to the Toy for Joy fund, write: Toy for Joy, 1860 Main St., Springfield, MA 01101. Contributions may also be dropped off with the coupon which accompanies this story to The Republican, 1860 Main St., Springfield, weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. through noon on Dec. 21.