Every year, the Press Herald Toy Fund is able to help the children of military veterans with disabilities because of its generous donors and hardworking volunteers.
This year, one father wrote to the Toy Fund seeking help because of injuries suffered overseas — before he had ever even been to this country.
“During the Iraq War, I was accused of assisting the American Army and was taken prisoner as a result,” the father of three wrote in a letter seeking help. “While in captivity, I endured severe physical and psychological trauma that has had lasting effects on my health and daily functioning. The conditions I faced included physical abuse, deprivation and constant fear for my life, which left me with both visible and invisible scars.”
His service to the U.S. military, and the danger it brought to him and his family, allowed him to come to the United States with his three children. Now they are safe in their new home and hopeful about a new beginning. But he is still recovering and unable to provide holiday gifts for his children.
“Since that time, I have struggled with significant memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and other cognitive impairments that interfere with my ability to perform even simple tasks consistently. These challenges, combined with ongoing emotional distress related to my experiences, have made it impossible for me to maintain employment. The trauma I suffered continues to impact my mental and physical well-being, and I rely on ongoing support to manage daily life and cope with the effects of my injuries.”
The Toy Fund uses the donations of newspaper readers to buy toys and books for kids up to 16 years old in York, Cumberland, Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Androscoggin and Knox counties.
The Portland Press Herald and Lewiston Sun Journal publish lists of the donations along with stories about the holiday gift drive from Thanksgiving through the month of December.
Anyone making an online donation to the Toy Fund through Dec. 19 will be entered to win four tickets to Portland Ovations’ “Recycle Percussion” show on Jan. 22 at Merrill Auditorium.
HOW TO HELP:
To make a donation online, go to pressherald.com/toy-fund.
Checks made out to the Portland Press Herald Toy Fund may be mailed to 295 Gannett Drive, South Portland, ME 04106.
Names of donors are published in the Press Herald and Lewiston Sun Journal unless a donor wishes to remain anonymous.
TODAY’S DONATIONS:
- $200.00: In loving memory of Alan M. Argondizza — Maizie M. Argondizza
- $25.00: Anonymous
- $500.00: In memory of Kathy — Raymond E. Killinger
- $100.00: Merry Christmas — Jillian R. H. & Rodger K. Herrigel
- $100.00: Lynn & Theresa McCabe
- $50.00: Evelyn Wohl & Steven J. Hundley
- $30.00: From Pop — Ronald A. & Joanne B. Edwards
- $200.00: In loving memory of Kathy Reilly — Suzanne T. Nelson
- $250.00: In memory of Lynne & Paul — Frederick R. & Deborah N. Molander
- $50.00: Benjamin A. Soule
- $100.00: Robert & Suzanne Turkington
- $300.00: Gregory T. Barmore
- $200.00: Chadwick C. & Ursula M. Nehrt
- $40.00: Anonymous
- $250.00: Jenifer J. Stewart
- $25.00: In memory of Dan & Marion Flynn — Barbara F. Hawkes
- $25.00: In memory of Donald Hawkes — Barbara F. Hawkes
- $100.00: Anonymous
- $300.00: In memory of Henk Pols by the Baird Family — Richard G. & Linda H. Baird
- $100.00: In memory of Grace Beaumont, who loved Christmas, from her family. Dick, Lori & Rick — Richard Beaumont Jr.
- $150.00: Christmas joy. Thank you for keeping the Toy Fund in operation. — Stephen B. & Valerie S. Loring
- $50.00: My Mom got help for my younger siblings back in the fifties. So thank you much it really helped and to all of you who work to make this happen for the little ones now. May God Bless — Patrice R. Gilbert
- $1,000.00: Peace, Joy and Love — Barbara E. Gauditz
- $200.00: Jamien Jacobs & Gregg Raymond
- $300.00: In loving memory of Walden Gregory Smith Greenleaf … his light shines bright. Merry Christmas! — Bruce W. & Carol Sue Greenleaf
Year to date total: $57,721.49.