NORTHAMPTON — Alan and Louise Swider have long viewed the Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund as an opportunity to make a contribution that will improve the lives of children during the holiday season.
Starting in 1983, the Florence couple began their annual donation to the Toy Fund, recognizing that the money collected is used to support the distribution of vouchers to eligible families who can then purchase presents for their children.
“We started giving because there’s so much need,” Louise Swider said
It’s a donation the Swiders have made continuously for 34 years, taking on even more importance when her father died in 2009.
“My father was so dedicated to children, I always have to make sure to give even more now,” Swider said.
Now in its 84th year, the Toy Fund was created during the Great Depression by then-Gazette business manager Sidney F. Smith. The fund offers vouchers to families for each child from age 1 to 14. Eligible families must live in any Hampshire County community except Ware, or in the southern Franklin County towns of Deerfield, Sunderland, Whately, Shutesbury and Leverett.
Already, contributions are coming in, with those received ranging from $5 in cash to checks for $100. Many are accompanied by notes in memory or honor of loved ones. Other people get involved in projects at their workplace or in the community that benefit the Toy Fund.
Louise Swider said she loves to help children, especially around the holidays, and searches out ways she can contribute financially or otherwise. She has made two wreaths that she donated to the CareOne Nursing Home, which will give proceeds from a holiday sale to the Toy Fund.
Through a partnership with the Berkshire Children and Families Hampshire County program at 220 Russell St., Hadley, the Gazette raises money to provide the certificates redeemable at participating local retailers to the eligible families who can use them to buy holiday gifts through Dec. 31.
Berkshire Children and Families verifies families’ eligibility and the Gazette covers costs associated with the drive, freeing all donations to fund the vouchers. Most families who receive assistance are referred by social service agencies.
Marylou Spaulding, site coordinator for the Hadley office of Berkshire Children and Familes, said parents are coming in every day to apply for vouchers, often telling stories about their need. Applications are due Nov. 28.
Based on her observations, it is anticipated that 2016 will be as busy as last year, when 1,519 vouchers were redeemed.
“There’s expected to be as much demand,” Spaulding said.
The Gazette collected $77,830 in 2015 for the Toy Fund, $12,230 more than in 2014.
Spaulding suspects many will use vouchers for clothes, especially winter gear. “A lot of people are ending up buying boots, not toys,” she said.
A Toy Fund donor since she was a teenager, Pamela Levesque, front office administrator at the Hadley office, is the first contact for all applicants, meeting many of them in person.
Levesque said many of the stories she hears are heartbreaking, such as a father who was injured in an accident and is unable to work and provide for his four children, and a mother who has two children, and is now reponsible for caring for her two nephews as well.
All are appreciative for the any assistance they can get. “They will say thank you. They will say we wouldn’t know what to do without this help,” Levesque said.
Michael Rifanburg, publisher of the Pioneer Valley Newspapers, which includes the Gazette and The Recorder in Greenfield, said there’s a need for the Toy Fund.
“(The need) is something that, unfortunately, continues to grow,” Rifanburg said.
Rifanburg said the fund allows many children to have a toy at Christmas, but he understands that families may choose to spend the money on other things.
“It’s called a toy fund, but there’s a lot of practical application for vouchers, as well,” Rifanburg said.
The Gazette handles aspects, including managing the computer database and providing volunteers who process the voucher applications.
“It’s really a team effort here, just as we try to encourage it to be a community effort,” Rifanburg said.
Rifanburg said the Toy Fund demonstrates how giving people in the region are.
“This is a program that is locally driven, locally funded and applies to people in our communities,” Rifanburg said. “We’re thankful for volunteers and the effort of so many people who help bring a smile to many children’s faces this holiday season.”
The following stores are participating this year: A2Z Science and Learning Store, 57 King St., Northampton; Deals & Steals, One Pearl St., Northampton; JCPenney, 341 Russell St., Hadley; The Toy Box, 201 N. Pleasant St., Amherst; Wilson’s Dept. Store, 258 Main St., Greenfield; Sam’s Outdoor Outfitters, 227 Russell St., Hadley; and Target, 367 Russell St., Hadley.
Donations to the Toy Fund may be dropped off at or mailed to the Daily Hampshire Gazette at 115 Conz St. in Northampton, 01060, or made through Gazettenet at www.gazettenet.com.
Checks should be made payable to the Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
