Thousands of Maine children, from newborns to 18-year-olds, received toys and gifts for the holidays because of newspaper reader donations to the Portland Press Herald Toy Fund.
The fund, which completed its 66th year, has continued to receive donations that will help buy more toys for children and families who find themselves facing a bleak holiday season in 2016. The total is now approaching $130,000 – significantly more than last year but less than the amounts raised in the peak years before the recession of 2008.
The fund also has been receiving the annual thank-you notes that come from volunteers as well as from recipients and could just as well be addressed to all the generous readers of the Portland Press Herald and Maine Sunday Telegram who make the fund work each year.
“Thanks for all you do for the little ones in Maine,” wrote one-longtime volunteer. “You should be so proud of the wonderful work you do. Happy New Year!”
“It was such a wonderful experience,” wrote another volunteer. “I certainly got more from being there than I gave! The Toy Fund is Santa to so many!”
Since 1949, the toy fund has used donations from Portland newspaper readers to provide toys to thousands of Maine children who might otherwise not receive holiday gifts because of hardships faced by their parents. The fund helps needy families in Cumberland, York, Sagadahoc, Lincoln and Knox counties.
Donations are accepted year-round and can be made at pressheraldtoyfund.org or by writing checks to the Portland Press Herald Toy Fund and mailing them to the fund at P.O. Box 7310, Portland, ME 04112.
The total raised so far is $127,057.57.
DONATIONS
In memory of lost loved ones – The Fryes $40
Love and Cheer from Irene & Rick $25
Anonymous $20
Bob & Phyllis Wagstaff $100
From the Gordon grandkids: Annalise, Ben, Alexander, Sophie $90
In honor of my Aunt Barbara White $25
In honor of the shopper at Hannaford who “paid forward” my bill $45
In memory of Oma and Gramps – JPC $150
Victoria Simes Poole $50
Anonymous $100
The Anderson family $50
James and Sandra MacMahon $50
Anonymous $100
Merry Christmas from Frank & Debbie Pecoraro $1000
Anonymous $100
Chebeague Island Fire Department $200
In loving memory of Ralph Cartonia & family $100
Ken & Kathy Brill $50
Best wishes – Drumlin Environmental LLC $150
In memory of Jeanne and Jerry Mayberry $25
Beverly Hastings $25
Robert Slaktowicz $20
In memory of Joseph Barlock $50
In honor of the Henderson and Caiola families $25
The Spirit of Christmas $25
In memory of our daughter Lerin Jane Foley – Robert & Maryanne Foley $100
For our parents: Madeline, George and Marcella $25
Camp Sunshine is terrific! $50
From the Ertman family $100
In memory of A. Douglas Hitchcox, from Paul Hitchcox $250
Judith White $50
Carroll Tiernan $50
Susan & Spencer Jones $150
Martin J. Feeney Jr $100
Thomas & Holly McKenny $500
From two grateful grandparents $50
Thomas & Caren Lederer $100
Richard Hubbell $50
Kristin Hughes $25
LT’s Inc $50
Philip Coupe & Alexia Pappas $100
From Jade & Lynne $50
In memory of Jane & Don $25
Today’s total: $4,440
Total year to date: $127,057.57
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