SPRINGFIELD — The families who benefit from the Toy for Joy campaign are much more than names on a list to Danielle LaTaille, social services director at the Salvation Army Citadel.
She has seen their faces and admires their devotion. They connect LaTaille to the community her organization serves, and they remind her of the importance of this Christmas campaign and her own work.
“I’ve been involved with Toy for Joy since 2008,” she said. “I was just a kid when I started, age 22 or 23.”
“Now I see parents willing to wait in lines because of the love and commitment to their children and families,” she said. “It’s an avenue to see the climate of the community we serve.”
Toy for Joy, now in its 98th year, is a cooperative effort by the Salvation Army with The Republican, El Pueblo Latino and MassLive. 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.
Toy for Joy registration at the Springfield office of the Salvation Army is full, but the Holyoke and Greenfield offices are still taking applicants.
Registration was entirely online this year to safeguard families and workers during the coronavirus pandemic. LaTaille said it went smoothly, but she looks forward to when she can meet the families again in person.
“We’ll get back to that. Toy for Joy is one of my favorite programs because we’ve been able to meet and sit down with our clients and hear about their needs and hardships,” she said.
“It gives us an idea of their needs outside of Christmas. But this year, the Christmas-in-a-Box program is popular and I can see us continuing to use that in some way.”
Christmas-in-a-Box is being distributed at all three Salvation Army locations. It packages, toys, books, games and other gifts for the entire family.
“Everyone is happy with this idea. COVID-19 showed the importance of safety in the home and health and happiness for the family,” LaTaille said.
“People won’t be going to those big parties this year. They won’t have to stare at a TV or a tablet for hours. The box will give them something the entire family can share.”
As the 2020 drive unfolds, LaTaille thinks back to her early years with the campaign, which has taught her so much about community and family life in 13 years.
“I was straight out of college, and I didn’t (understand) the struggles people face at Christmas. It’s expensive and it’s super stressful,” she said.
“Thankfully, my husband and I both have jobs. I can’t imagine one-income or zero-income households. I’ve learned so much about the community, the love of people for their families and others and how we can help.”
Contributions may 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:
Hoping for good health and happiness to everyone $40
Always hope and have faith $30
Mary $25
In memory of my Marine dad, Walter L. $50
In memory of my parents Helen and Louis. Love, Buzz $20
Have a blessed Christmas $10
Merry Christmas from Lauren, Lee, Andrew, Katie and Loretta $100
Anonymous $50
Luke and Caleigh wish everyone a merry Christmas $100
Will miss a loved one for Christmas, Kathy, Cindy and Evelyn $100
Peace and good health to all $100
Keep Christ in Christmas $100
Merry Christmas from Pat $20
Anonymous $25
In memory of Sally Drucker $18
In loving memory of my husband, Loren, from Norma $100
Merry Christmas from Bob and Carole $25
In memory of Lillian and Edward Noonan $100
In loving memory of my husband Harold from Patricia $50
In honor of our grandchildren $100
In honor of Zoe, Mat, Luna and Jordan Hemingway $40
Merry Christmas to our two sweet grandchildren Audrey and Connor $25
In loving memory of the seven Worcester firefighters $25
Peace be with you, Ted and Janet $25
In memory of Tanner Simpkiss from brother Hunter and family $250
Anonymous $75
Merry Christmas from JR, Lucy and Tikki $50
In loving memory of our parents from Carl and Patricia Dygon $50
Patricia $20
Merry Christmas children from Paul and Cathy $30
Merry Christmas from Helen $25
Received $1,553
Total to date $19,141
Still needed $130,859
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