Toy for Joy: Promoting literacy is part of campaign’s mission
December 19, 2024
Link to Libraries donates 1,000 books to Toy for Joy campaign
By Ron Chimelis | rchimelis@repub.com
(Masslive) The Toy for Joy campaign is in its final stages, but a late surge in donations will make countless children and families happy this Christmas.
The campaign deadline of Dec. 24 comes so quickly. But donations received just before or on that date, or in the mail just after the deadline, count just as much and will go directly toward providing toys, games and books to children from Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties.
Even a contribution mailed on the deadline day of Dec. 24 is applied to the cause.
Now in its 102nd year, Toy for Joy has again been sponsored by the Salvation Army, which has been involved with the drive since the 1950s. The organization’s citadels in Springfield, Holyoke and Greenfield have been distributing gifts to deserving children.
Promoting literacy among children has been a Toy for Joy mission for years. This year, Link to Libraries again supported the cause in a major way by providing 1,000 brand new, age-appropriate books to the Salvation Army.
“These books are worth approximately $5,000 in all. Last year, we donated 600, so we were able to nearly double it this year,” said Amy Anderlonis, executive vice-president of the Hampden-based Link to Libraries nonprofit.
“We think books are the best gift. To make it happen, we rely on the generosity of local businesses,” Anderlonis said.
“For many children, their first book comes from us. Salvation Army was having some trouble getting age-appropriate books, but we think partnering with them helps all of us, and the children.”
Anderlonis said Link to Libraries was formed in 2008 out of deep concern that so many children in school struggle because of reading challenges. The agency has donated over one million books, at an average of more than 50,000 per year, to encourage a lifelong love of reading by children.
Armed with quality toys and books for the children, Toy for Joy is promoted and advertised by The Republican, Reminder Publishing, MassLive and El Pueblo Latino. All contributions will be recognized and published in The Republican and Reminder Publications, and online by MassLive.com.
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