Needy families with children can register to receive gifts.
SPRINGFIELD — Registration begins Monday at Salvation Army sites across Western Massachusetts for the 90th annual Toy for Joy campaign.
The campaign provides holiday gifts for children through the age of 16. Families must register and provide financial need documentation to participate.
Toy for Joy is co-sponsored by The Republican and the Salvation Army. This year's goal is to raise $150,000 in donations by Christmas Eve. Last year, Toy for Joy donations totaled $167,333.
Toy company Hasbro joined as a campaign partner last year, and will be donating a portion of the toys distributed again this year in Toy for Joy.
“We will work hard to put a gift under the tree for every child this season,” said George Burtch, vice president of global integration at Hasbro.
Salvation Army locations in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties are participating, and preparing for the annual campaign.
The Greater Springfield Salvation Army Citadel at 170 Pearl St. will accept registration beginning Monday. Registration dates and times elsewhere vary by unit.
The Greater Springfield Salvation Army Citadel has new commanders this year, John and Ronda Ferreira, who are working hard with preparations for Toy for Joy.
“We have great staff in place. Danielle, who is our social services director, has been working very hard coordinating the effort with Hasbro and our other locations and with toy deliveries. We are also getting ready for our registration next week,” said Ronda Ferreira.
The Ferreiras expect family registration for Toy for Joy to increase this year, since registration for their program Coats for Kids is up 30 to 40 percent this year, they said.
Last year over 4,000 Springfield families received gifts through Toy for Joy.
The Greenfield Salvation Army, located at 72 Chapman St., is currently accepting registration applications, but their official day to register for Toy for Joy is Dec. 3.
For more information, call (413) 733-1518. To make a contribution to the Toy for Joy fund, write: Toy for Joy, P.O. Box 3007, Springfield 01102. Contributions may also be dropped off with the coupon to The Republican, 1860 Main St., Springfield, weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. through Dec. 23.