NORTHAMPTON — The Gazette’s Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund collected $53,108 this year as of Monday and provided 1,400 vouchers to local families in need.
While the drive raised tens of thousands of dollars to be distributed as $40 vouchers, donations saw a sharp decline this year. Last year, the Toy Fund had collected $61,480 by the end of December. Donations had been on a slight downward trend over the past few years, according to Pat Maleno, business office manager for the Gazette and the Greenfield Recorder, totaling about $64,5000 in 2017 and $62,200 in 2018.
While donations were down by nearly $8,400 this year, it’s not too late to give. Most donations come in during the holiday season, Maleno said, but they are received on an ongoing basis throughout the year.
“It just keeps going toward the fund, which will help pay it next year,” Maleno said.
People often donate to the Toy Fund in honor of those who inspire them to give. And every cent counts, Maleno said — while some donations have totaled as high as $2,500, community members who pitch in smaller donations, like $15 or $25, are the backbone of the Toy Fund.
“For the most part, it’s just the people in the community caring about the kids in the community who are less fortunate,” Maleno said.
Named after a former business manager at the Gazette, the Toy Fund began in 1933 to help families in need during the Depression. Today, the fund distributes vouchers worth $40 to families for each child from age 1 to 14. Eligible families must live in any Hampshire County community except Ware, in the southern Franklin County towns of Deerfield, Sunderland, Whately, Shutesbury, and Leverett, and in Holyoke in Hampden County.
18 Degrees Family Services for Western Massachusetts at 59 Interstate Drive in West Springfield verifies families’ eligibility and the Gazette covers costs associated with the drive, freeing all donations to fund the vouchers.
The following stores are participating this year: A2Z Science and Learning Store, 57 King St., Northampton; Deals & Steals, 1 Pearl St., Northampton; JCPenney, 367 Russell St., Hadley (store only); The Toy Box, 201 N. Pleasant St., Amherst; Target, 367 Russell St. Hadley (store only); Sam’s Outdoor Outfitters, 227 Russell St., Hadley; Odyssey Bookshop, 9 College St., Village Commons, South Hadley; Wilson’s Department Store, 258 Main St., Greenfield; World Eye Bookshop & Magical Child, 134 Main St., Greenfield; Holyoke Sporting Goods Co. 1584 Dwight St. #1, Holyoke; Children’s Museum at Holyoke, 444 Dwight St., Holyoke.
Donations to the Toy Fund may be dropped off at or mailed to the Daily Hampshire Gazette, P.O. Box 299, Northampton, MA, 01061, or made through Gazettenet at www.gazettenet.com.
Checks should be made payable to the Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund.
Jacquelyn Voghel can be reached at jvoghel@gazettenet.com.