The Portland Press Herald Toy Fund has relied on the same simple idea since it started 67 years ago: Share the stories of local families struggling to buy Christmas gifts for their children because of job losses, illnesses or other reasons, ask readers for donations, and use the money to buy toys so no child misses out on the joy of the holidays.
But that doesn’t mean the fund won’t spice it up a little, too.
Creative fundraisers have become a new part of the tradition, especially in the years since the 2008 economic meltdown coincided with a drop in reader donations. The fund is still recovering from that.
This year, fundraisers include a benefit show Dec. 13 at the Portland House of Music, a giant holiday office party event on Dec. 16, and a 30-day holiday raffle with donated prizes that range from handcrafted gifts to a package of nine passes to Maine ski resorts.
The party, called Portland Potluck, will take place in potentially dozens of workplaces in Portland and beyond, wherever someone decides to organize a potluck party for the toy fund. Colleagues bring dishes of food to share and then gather for a lunch buffet, with donations for each plate of food going to the toy fund to buy Christmas presents. Organizers are encouraged to sign up their companies at www.pressheraldtoyfund.org/potluck and tweet photos using the hashtag #portlandpotluck. Prizes are in store for the most festive buffet and the workplace that raises the most money.
The holiday raffle is in its second year. It costs $10 to enter, and each ticket provides a chance to win 30 different drawings that will take place daily throughout December.
Donated raffle items include gift certificates to a variety of restaurants, a photography package, a portrait of your pet and a Kindle Fire.
Tickets will be sold by toy fund volunteers until the raffle is over – the ski package will be drawn Dec. 31. To enter the raffle online, go to pressheraldtoyfund.org, make a donation and type “raffle” into the dedication line. People also can call 791-6672 to make arrangements to purchase tickets.
The Portland Press Herald Toy Fund in the Spirit of Bruce Roberts is using donations from readers – and money raised through its fundraisers – to provide toys to thousands of Maine children who might otherwise not receive holiday gifts because of hardships faced by their parents.
The fund – now in its 67th year – is accepting applications for toys from needy families in Cumberland, York, Sagadahoc, Lincoln and Knox counties.
Applications can be downloaded at pressheraldtoyfund.org or picked up at the Welcome Center desk on the fifth floor of One City Center in Portland.
Call 791-6672 to have one mailed to you.
Donations to help buy the toys can be made on the website 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.
For more information and to donate online, go to: pressheraldtoyfund.org
See more stories about the fund at pressherald.com.
TUESDAY’S TOY FUND DONORS
In memory of Eric… $50
Danuta Barnard… $50
In loving memory of Timothy Durant from Mom and Dad $100
Dennis Sayward… $75
In memory of Penny Heisler… $150
In memory of Dr. Ellsworth C. Reed… $250
In loving memory of Doris Lyons – Gracie and Dick…$100
With love, Aggie White $75
Marilyn Hodgdon… $30
Frank Harrison… $25
George Moberg… $100
Richard McIntosh… $20
For Brooks, who loved children, from Joyce & Family… $200
Chase Libby… $30
Merry Christmas! – Phil and Diane Tinkham… $100
Jane Danielson… $50
In memory of Chester and Joyce Dyke from son Larry… $25
In memory of our parents – Andy & Evelyn (sis) Carlista… $25
Frank and Nancy Fowles…$50
Anonymous… $100
In loving memory of my parents, Dr. Richard (Dick) & Mimi Britton – Susan Britton Pettingill… $50
In memory of our daughter, Lucy Jackson, who loved Christmas – Gael Jackson… $100
Merry Christmas to all the children!… $100
In memory of Bill and Kay Parks from Dan, Bob and DJT… $200
Bill and Valerie Sowles… $250
Anonymous… $50
In memory of our Dad and Grampie, James D. Wallace… $40
Matthew Bullard… $25
In memory of Brendan Conway – Mom and Dad…$100
Happy Holidays from the Jellison Wall Family… $50
In memory of Gramma D and Papa – With love from all the Leepers… $100
In loving memory of Norman and Pauline Auger – Denise Morrill… $50
Total to date: $15,080.60
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