Registration for 90th annual Toy for Joy begins today

Last year, the program donated gifts to nearly 20,000 Western Massachusetts children.

Registration for the 90th annual Toy for Joy officially begins today at participating Salvation Army locations, where needy families with children 16 and under can register to receive gifts in time for Christmas.

Toy for Joy is jointly sponsored by The Republican, the Salvation Army and Hasbro, the toy company that joined as a new partner last year. The program’s goal is to raise $150,000 by Christmas Eve.

Hasbro will be donating a portion of the toys distributed through Toy for Joy, and is excited to have its employees help out and personally distribute toys to registered families, said George Burtch, vice president of global integration at Hasbro.

The program is already receiving donations, including one of $1,275 from Wel-Design Alarms Inc. in Wilbraham that jump-started the campaign last week.

Last year, over 4,000 families in the Greater Springfield area received gifts through Toy for Joy, providing presents to nearly 20,000 children in Franklin, Hampden and Hampshire counties.

Registration is expected to increase from last year, said Springfield Salvation Army Citadel commanders John and Ronda Ferreira. Registration for the Salvation Army program “Coats for Kids” is up 30 to 40 percent this year compared to last year in Springfield, they said.

The couple noted that the great staff at the Springfield Salvation Army has helped tremendously in preparing for Toy for Joy, including working with other Salvation Army locations and planning for family registration and gift distribution dates to registered families.

Salvation Army units in Springfield, Greenfield, Holyoke, Northampton and Westfield are participating in Toy for Joy.

Registration officially starts on Nov. 26; dates and hours vary with each unit. 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. 21.

The following contributions have been made to this year’s drive:

In memory of Hazel and Athos Rossi and their children Peter, Nolan and Tina – $20

Chauncey – $20

In memory of Peg and Ernest Robbins – $20

Barbara – $10

In loving memory of the Kenney and Prenderville families, love Donna – $10

RECEIVED – $80

TOTAL TO DATE – $1,380

STILL NEEDED – $148,620