More donations arrived at the Press Herald Toy Fund in February, adding to the charity’s fundraising success in response to a surge in requests for help from struggling families.
The Toy Fund raised roughly $235,000 in the 2025-26 fiscal year, which ended Feb. 28. That is an increase of $40,000 over the previous year.
Those donations, along with the hard work of volunteers, delivered holiday gifts and joy to more than 4,400 Maine children facing hard times in 2025. The number of children served increased about 20% from the previous year.
The generosity of donors also means the 76-year-old charity is in a solid position as organizers turn their attention to preparing for another toy drive later this year.
Donations from newspaper readers are used to buy toys and books for kids up to 16 years old in York, Cumberland, Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Androscoggin and Knox counties. Donations are accepted year-round and are published in the Portland Press Herald and Lewiston Sun Journal.
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 Sun Journal unless a donor wishes to remain anonymous.
RECENT DONATIONS:
- $100.00: Matthew Goldfarb
- $500.00: Joseph Scala
- $500.00: Anonymous
- $153.30: American Online Giving Foundation
- $25.00: John and Elizabeth Fulton
- $5,000.00: Paul and Kathleen Anderson
- $88.60: Tomra of North America Inc.
- $300.00: Judy C. Ricks
Total donations for fiscal 2025-26: $235,423.83.