As families continue to struggle financially, U.S. Representative Richard Neal donates to Toy for Joy

SPRINGFIELD – Many people may be taking advantage of in-store and online deals this week to shop for the holidays, but there are still families who are struggling to afford even the simplest of gifts for their children. This year.

“It’s amazing how quickly the US economy has recovered. However, that does not take into account people who have left the workforce, and it is estimated that it could be around 5 million Americans, ”said US Representative Richard Neal, D-Springfield. “This does not take into account, in particular, women who have had to choose between looking after their children and their work after schools have closed.”

The congressman again donated to Toy for Joy in an effort to help some of those families whose incomes have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as many families living at or below the cutoff poverty in western Massachusetts.

His donation of $ 2,000 to the 99th annual Toy for Joy campaign tops today’s donation list.

The Salvation Army is collaborating with The Republican, El Pueblo Latino and MassLive to present the annual Toy for Joy campaign. The goal is to raise $ 150,000 by Christmas Eve. This year, the campaign is joined by media partners from Reminders Publishing and The Westfield News. The charity campaign provides books and gifts to children in need in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties.

Pride Stores and Hampden County Sheriff Nicholas J. Cocchi are among the community partners supporting this year’s effort. This marks Cocchi’s third year of help with the holiday campaign, as Pride Stores has mobilized customers to support the effort for many years. Last year, Pride Stores donated $ 17,000 to the cause.

Neal, a former mayor of Springfield, has a long history with The Republican, having been a paper boy in his youth and having seen the charity grow over the years.

“Toy for Joy has this extraordinary story. Even during the Depression, the Bowles family made sure those in need got help, ”he said, referring to Samuel Bowles II and his descendants, who created The Republican newspaper. . “I remember what the Toy for Joy campaign meant when I was a boy, and I think everyone under the Kindness umbrella should donate.”

The donations, which are featured daily in The Republican and on MassLive, are used directly to cover the costs of toys and books for children.

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

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.

Here is the last list of contributions:

Happy Holidays from United States Representative Richard E. Neal, Springfield $ 2,000

We hope these toys will bring happiness to children $ 100

In memory of Romeo and Priscilla Martin and Bronislaw and Joséphine Kasperek $ 20

For mom and dad from Betty and Carol $ 25

In loving memory of James Borgo $ 10

With love from Patrick, Erin, Grace and Aiden $ 20

In loving memory of Lani. We were so blessed to know and love you, from Rick and Jo $ 20

In memory of Terry Spencer with love for your family $ 25

Memory of JR $ 50

In memory of family and friends who are no longer with us $ 20

To my wonderful family past and present. Love, FOB $ 50

In memory of Louis, Ella and Linda of the Drugan family $ 50

From Dominic, Sara, Nathan, Landon and Sydney $ 10

Received $ 2,400

Total to date $ 7,000

Still need $ 143,000