Ron Chimelis

The calendar says that time for the 2025 drive is beginning to run short. To reach its $125,000 goal by the campaign deadline of Christmas Eve, more donations of any size are needed.

Toy for Joy is in its 103rd year of providing toys, books and games to deserving children of Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties. This year’s campaign is again sponsored by the Salvation Army through its Western Massachusetts locations in Springfield, Holyoke and Greenfield.

The Toy for Joy Christmas campaign for children is 103 years old, but it’s new to Salvation Army Captain Stacy McNeil, who is inspired by the generosity it represents.

The Christmas Eve campaign deadline is just days away. More donations are still needed from generous individuals, organizations and groups — and there is still time, though time is running short.

So, with the campaign deadline approaching, a sense of urgency exists for final donations to support this proven campaign.

As the 2025 Toy for Joy drive entered its final days and the Christmas Eve deadline neared, William Toller was gratified that his organization had once again remembered the children, as it always does.

This drive, sponsored by the Salvation Army and wrapping up its 103rd year, brings toys, games and books to children whose circumstances would otherwise leave them left out of the holiday happiness enjoyed by others.

As Christmas Eve came and went, hundreds of families and thousands of children prepared to enjoy Christmas because the generosity of the local community made it possible.

A late surge of generosity gave a strong finishing kick to the 103rd edition of the Toy for Joy Christmas campaign.

Thanks to the heartfelt donations of local and regional citizens, businesses and organizations, the 2016 drive brought in $94,317.