Toy Fund volunteers go above and beyond to spread holiday joy to Mainers in need

The short note that arrived with a recent donation spoke for many of those who dug deep to support the Press Herald Toy Fund this year.

“Through my own trials and losses this year, it has been more noticeable to me the suffering going on around us,” one donor wrote in a note attached to her check.

“I can’t afford this $50, but most of us can’t at the moment. The children need it more. I had wonderful Christmases. They should have them, too.”

That same desire to provide children with holiday joy was shared by the 35 volunteers who pitched in to provide the labor, filling extra shifts to keep up with the larger-than-expected demand.

The team included Carl Akin, Mary Beth Carion, Diane Goodrich, Mary Cavallaro, Roxie and Brent Johnston, Joan and John Voyer, Deb Abbodanza, Mary Peters, Barbi Diaz, Linda Paul, Kathy Camire, Sheila Moran, Gail and Craig Kinney, Julie Pew, Theresa Labrecque, Gretchen Stanton, Janet Edmunson, Chris Bachmeyer, Joe Carlin, Priscilla O’Neil, Patrice O’Neil, Donald and Janice Bancroft, Susan Taylor, Marjorie and Jon Oxman, Lynn Petcher, Janet Leaver, Carol Semple, Karen Beaudoin, Katherine Lee, Mike Hollyday and Sam Beal.

The once-bustling and crowded workshop is now nearly empty and once again quiet.

But donations continue to roll in, helping the Toy Fund cover its costs after rising to the challenge for the 76th straight year.

The Toy Fund uses those donations to buy toys and books for kids up to 16 years old in York, Cumberland, Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Androscoggin and Knox counties. This year, the Toy Fund provided gifts for more than 4,000 Maine children.

The Press Herald and Lewiston Sun Journal publish lists of donations to the Toy Fund, along with stories about the holiday gift drive, from Thanksgiving through December.

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 honor of all of our beloved relatives who have gone before us, with love for Brian P. Bicknell, who we love dearly and miss greatly. Happy Holidays! The Bicknell Family — Deborah Bicknell
$52.92: Anonymous
$105.52: Merry Christmas — Anonymous
$52.92: In memory of Tim Porta, and his love of Christmas. — Anonymous
$52.92: In memory of my parents William and Janet Lynds — Maryadele Grant
$50.00: Anonymous
$52.92: In memory of Grampy Casey — Julie Otte
$52.92: To honor our mothers, Evelyn Jones and Helen Ihde at Christmas — Digger and Nancy Jones
$105.52: Just because … — Linda Pomerleau
$100.00: In memory of Maddy Corson. The Schnapp/Almy Family — Douglas Schnapp
$105.52: In memory of Barbara Faietta. Niece Carol — Carol Clowes
$210.73: Anonymous
$105.52: In memory of Henry, Jeanette & Nikki Gagnon. — June & G. Henry Gagnon Jr.
$105.52: Anonymous
$263.34: In memory of my beautiful wife — Anonymous
$105.52: In memory of our parents, Judo & Joe, Maggie & Pug. Nan @ BaBa — John Maurice
$105.52: In memory of Fritz and Harrison “Lefty” Homans — Amy and Peggy Homans
$158.13: Anonymous
$105.52: Jeff & Denise Wentworth
$105.52: In memory of Rita Baltas who loved children and her favorite holiday, Christmas —Ted Baltas
$52.92: In memory of Harry Burnham of Limerick. Merry Christmas — Ted Baltas
$1,000.00: In memory of Roy and Dorothy Pinette. Pinette Family — Robyn Pinette
$52.92: Anonymous
$105.52: Brian Leonard
$50.00: Anonymous
$105.52: Anonymous
$105.52: Anonymous
$52.92: In memory of Claire Bradford — Kate Bradford
$52.92: Merry Christmas to you (and do something nice for someone else this week)! — Anonymous
$50.00: In memory of Matt & Evelyn Barron — Anonymous
$105.52: Happy Holidays! — Bill and Diane Mercer
$21.36: Anonymous
$21.36: Kathleen Schulz
$105.52: Thank you for making this possible!! It is so important! — Marilyn Gugliucci
$31.88: Connie Dykstra
$210.73: In memory of Arnold and Constance Rosario. — Arnie and Tammy Rosario
$105.52: In memory of Bob Anderson — Anonymous
$52.92: In memory of my Mom, Nancy Loeffel — Debby Loeffl Maley
$105.52: Kevin Hart
$105.52: Merry Christmas. Candy & Mary — Candy Jamerson
$52.92: Anonymous
$431.67: From the Flaherty Christmas party — Thomas Flaherty
$40.00: For all the children who need a Christmas surprise. Cathy — Catherine Swiger
$105.52: In loving memory of Rev. & Mrs Robert Haldane Sr. and our beloved Bentley. Merry Christmas! Dave & Cathy — David Sawtelle
$105.52: In loving memory of our parents Robert & Elizabeth Sawtelle, Daniel & Camilla Belino and our brother Scott Sawtelle. Merry Christmas! Dave & Cathy — David Sawtelle
$52.92: In honor of my wonderful grandchildren! — Anonymous
$105.52: Happy Holidays! — Amy & Matt Hausmann
$210.73: Anonymous
$52.92: Anonymous
$263.34: In honor of our grandchildren, Thomas, Maeve, Leeds, Jasper and Finley and in memory of their Uncle Paul. — Anonymous
$52.92: In loving memory of Paul McGrath. — Ellen McGrath
$263.34: Rick Holt
$105.52: Anonymous
$42.40: Tom & Connie — Tom Conroy

Year to date total: $197,588.32.

Editor’s note: This story was updated on Dec. 26 to correct the name of a volunteer. Her name is Joan Voyer.

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