By Ron Chimelis
masslive.com
LUDLOW, Mass. — As the 2025, Toy for Joy drive enters its final days, William Toller is gratified that his organization has once again remembered the children, as it always does.
Toller is the program consultant for the Ludlow chapter of American Veterans in Prison, whose inmates realize that helping those in need is something they can do now.
Their $1,100 donation to Toy for Joy will bring happiness to countless children in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties. The Ludlow chapter always does its part to push the drive toward its goal, which this year is $125,000.
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.
The need is urgent. The reward for deserving children is direct and immediate. Toller and his organization of incarcerated veterans know that.
“We work with the Soldier On organization in Leeds, and a social therapist comes in, too, They donate to Toy for Joy as well,” Toller said.
“Along with helping veterans gain employment and other skills needed to re-enter society, they deliver a positive message about making a contribution. The veterans get the message that ‘you can do that, too, even while incarcerated,’ ” Toller said.
Funds are raised through letters to various groups in the community, and by a 5-kilometer fundraising walk-a-thon in the prison gymnasium.
“So many friends in the community support us, and we’re grateful,” said Toller, who noted that the prison population changes year to year, but that support for the children is always there.
Toller says veterans’ agencies and the Veterans Administration let the prisoners, still proud as veterans, know they have not been forgotten or abandoned. In turn, they never forget the children in need at Christmas time — a most poignant, meaningful step as they prepare for their return to the general population and a fresh start.
Toy for Joy is in its 103rd year of providing age-appropriate toys, books and games to deserving children. This year’s campaign is again sponsored by the Salvation Army through its Western Massachusetts locations in Springfield, Holyoke and Greenfield.
It is being advertised and promoted in The Republican, Reminder Publishing, MassLive and El Pueblo Latino.
For mail-in contributions, this year’s new mailing address (as shown on the coupon that accompanies this story) is to The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 971, Springfield MA 01101.
For online donations, donors can use the general link at https://tinyurl.com/ToyForJoy2025.
As the 2025 campaign enters its final days, the children of the region are counting on a last surge of generosity and Christmas spirit for those citizens and groups who know a Merry Christmas is something every child deserves — and that any donation to this drive, of any size, will help make it happen.
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