Foundations respond to Toy for Joy need – MassLive.com

SPRINGFIELD As the end of the 99th annual Toy for Joy campaign draws near, foundations that help make their communities better are helping make children happier this Christmas season.

The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts donated gifts totaling $5,000 to the Toy for Joy campaign that provides books, gifts and toys for children in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties.

The Brethren Community Foundation donated $2,000 to assist children and families in need.

For reasons out of their control, these children might not know the joy of Christmas without the generosity of citizens, companies and organizations in the region.

The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts gifts came at the recommendation of an anonymous donor.

The Community Foundation is a collection of over 500 funds, each established by a generous local business, individual or family and pooled together to strengthen our region. Some of these funds have advisors who make specific recommendations for grants, said Katie Allan Zobel, the president and CEO of the organization. In this case, two different families who are advisors to funds recommended that the foundation make grants to the Toy for Joy campaign. We are honored to support their charitable ambitions and help ignite more joy this holiday season.

The Brethren Community Foundation, Inc., of Springfield supports educational and literacy initiatives focused on a multi-sensory approach for low-income youth. This year they donated $2,000 to Toy for Joy.

The Brethren Community Foundation supports educational and literacy initiatives focused on a multisensory approach for low-income youth. It also supports seniors, individuals and nonprofit organizations through philanthropic opportunities.

Each year, the foundation celebrates the annual Juneteenth holiday, which commemorates the arrival of Union soldiers in Galveston, Texas, in 1865 to read federal orders that enslaved people were free. The Juneteenth celebration is one of the most popular events to honor this special holiday. This June 2022, the Brethren Community Foundation hosts its 20th consecutive year of what is now a state holiday.

We are proud to provide for families who are in need, resources for the holiday season, said Robert Cee Jackson, president of the Brethren Community Foundation. The brethren is an integral part of the fabric of the Springfield community, and we will continue to seek opportunities that impact youth, seniors and families.

Individuals continue to show their support of area children as well. Many do so to honored loved ones.

A personal donation came from Dianne Doherty, who is affiliated with the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts and who is the wife of the late attorney Paul Doherty. She donates in his memory.

I remember Paul coming home one night and saying, I want to make Western Massachusetts the most generous place in the country no, the world, Dianne Doherty recalled fondly. I said, Well, thats not too ambitious, is it?

Since Paul Dohertys passing in 2016, his passion for charitable giving has been continued by his wife, an annual Toy for Joy donor.

I do my year-end giving early. I used to do it anonymously, but now I think it may encourage others to give. I hope so, she said.

I honor Paul through Toy for Joy because of his love of children, Springfield and generosity.

Toy for Joy is now approaching its centennial next year. The campaign is a collaborative effort by the Salvation Army with The Republican, El Pueblo Latino and MassLive, along with media partners at Reminders Publishing and The Westfield News.

Pride Stores and Hampden County Sheriff Nicholas J. Cocchi are among the community partners supporting this years effort. This marks Cocchis third year assisting the holiday drive, while Pride Stores has been rallying its customers to support the effort for many years. Last year, Pride Stores donated $17,000 to the cause.

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.

Businesses, school groups and civic organizations are among the annual contributors to the campaign. Donations, which are chronicled daily in The Republican and on MassLive, go directly to cover the costs of toys and books for the children.

Each child will receive a book, a toy and a game or game-type toy. Donations can be mailed with the attached coupon to The Republican, 1860 Main St., Springfield, MA 01103, or made online at SalvationArmyMA.org/ToyForJoyDonation.

Contributions may be mailed with this coupon to The Republican, 1860 Main St., Springfield, MA, 01103.

Here is the list of the most recent contributions:

Merry Christmas from Frank, Peter, Marc, Bill, Lisa, Carol and Nancy, The Colvest Group $2,500

Merry Christmas from Alyssa, Aidan, Olivia, Brenson and Meghan $25

Merry Christmas from Eleanor $50

In loving memory of Mike and Gerry Garrity $25

Amy $50

In memory of Charles and Joyce Peetz from Melanie $25

I remember when $50

Happy holidays from Bruce $200

In loving memory of my wife Ellie from Tony $50

Craig and Barbara $40

Wishing all children a happy holiday season. Love, E and L $40

In memory of my mother Eva who loved Toy for Joy $25

Edie $50

In loving memory of my father, Robert Skorka, sister, Laurie, and brother, Rob. Love, Doreen $20

Maintain $100

In memory of Diane Donahue $25

Edith $1,000

In memory of Dad, Barb and Joseph $50

In memory of the Struziak, Chrzan, Tarozzi and Kozak families $50

In memory of Onyx $10

In memory of Dave and Bridie $100

In loving memory of our parents Glenrose and Francis Red Rollet and Doris and Henry Lamoureux from Sharon and Henry $25

In memory of my husband Ron Douville $100

In memory of all my guardian angels in heaven from Sue $1,000

In loving memory of my handsome grandson Niko. Miss you $40

Happy holidays from Jane and Dan $100

In loving memory of my husband Ken OConnor Sr. Love, Helen $15

In loving memory of my husband Charlie $100

Chester $50

Anonymous $50

In memory of my husband Rich. It was heaven here with you. Love forever, Maureen $200

In memory of Pierre, Finnegan, Kelsey, Melvin, Milton and, especially, Moses. Love, Fawn, Monkey and Starr $200

Anonymous $10

In memory of Zin Zin George, Papou George, Grandma Babineau, Grandpa Babineau, Auntie MaryAnne, Uncle JB, Uncle Mark, Uncle Billy and Moe Wischerth. Love, Stephanie and Michelle Pirroni $75

Merry Christmas from Ron A. $100

In loving memory of William Manegre, who passed away in 1974, and Catherine Manegre, who passed away in 2019. Sadly missed by daughter JoAnne, son-in-law Walter, grandson Robert and granddaughter Staunzy $10

In loving memory of John and Mary Ganley. Sadly missed by granddaughter JoAnne Gould $10

In memory of Basil and Eleanor Gould from Walter and Joanne Gould $3

In memory of Grandpa and Grandma Gould from Robert Gould $3

In memory of Walter and Bertha Edwards from grandson Walter Gould $3

In memory of Charles and Helen Edwards from nephew Walter Gould and family $3

In memory of Joe and Mary Dillon from nephew Walter Gould and family $3

In memory of Richard (Water Wheel) Savoy from the Gould family $3

In memory of Robin Fleming from the Gould family $3

In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Fleming from the Gould family $3

In memory of Ken Fleming from the Gould family $3

In memory of our dogs, Buddy, Princess, Toby and Sandy girl from the Gould family $3

In memory of Benny and Peggy Bonavita from Walter Gould and family $3

In memory of our neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. H. Hawley from the Gould family $3

In memory of our neighbor Stan, from the Gould family $3

In memory of our neighbors Mr. and Mrs. Kwist from the Gould family $3

In memory of Mr. and Mrs. George Pelletier from the Gould family $3

In memory of my pal, Josie from Robert Gould $3

In memory of Mary and Jerry Langone from the Gould family $3

In memory of Jay (Langone) and Randy Rewis from the Gould family $3

In memory of Jim Maher from Walter Gould $3

In memory of Harry Gallerani from the Gould family $3

In memory of Mr. and Mrs. ODiorne from the Gould family $3

In memory of Grandpa Larosa from Robert Gould $3

In memory of our friend, Anthony Larosa from Joanne and Walter Gould $3

In memory of our neighbor, Fred Kelleher from the Gould family $3

In memory of Aunt Gerry and Uncle Paul, Uncle John and Aunt June and Aunt Ruth from Joanne Gould and family $3

In memory of Ciro Langone and brother Jimmy Langone from the Gould family $3

Happy Holidays to all our friends from the Gould family $3

To the staff at Tonys Barber shop in Springfields South End, Merry Christmas from Walter and Robert Gould $3

In memory of Brian ODiorne, from the Gould family $3

In memory of retired Springfield police officer Mike J. Ristaino and Irene Ristaino from the Gould family $3

To my 13th Christmas as a Gould family member, Preston $3

In memory of Josephine Szczepanek and son Matt from the Gould family $3

In memory of Antonette Pepe from the Gould family $3

Thank you Eastfield Hospital for animals from Preston Gould and family $3

In memory of Bill Lapardo from Walter Gould and family $3

In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Stenta from the Gould family $3

In memory of Shirley Nichols from Walter Gould and family $3

In memory of Mike and George Pelletier from Walter Gould and family $3

In memory of Jason Kenyon and his father Mark Kenyon from Walter Gould and family $3

To our grand dog Cooper from Grandma and Grandpa Gould $3

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Foundations respond to Toy for Joy need - MassLive.com