By Debbie Gardner
dgardner@thereminder.com
Lieutenant Montserrat Esquivel and her husband, Lieutenant Cesar Esquivel, are in their third year working with the Salvation Army Community Center of Holyoke, which serves not only that city but also South Hadley, Chicopee and Granby. Passionate about working with children, women, and seniors in their community, the two lieutenants have expanded the Center’s feeding program (food pantry), holiday assistance, and hope that with the support of the community, they can expand programming for the homeless in the future.
Yet despite the work done through these year ‘round programs, the holidays are when most people thing about the Salvation Army – thanks to their iconic Red Kettles and the annual Toy for Joy campaign.
We’ve all heard of Toy for Joy over the years, but few know how this century-old charity began, or how important even the smallest contribution can be. To get a perspective, Prime reached out to Lt. Montserrat Esquivel for a bit of background on the campaign. Here’s what she shared with Prime:
Q; We’ve all heard of the Toy for Joy campaign for many years. Can you give readers a little background on how this holiday charity started?
“Hampden County has a longstanding history of need. Like The Salvation Army, the Toy for Joy Campaign has been around for more than a century to benefit local residents who need extra assistance, especially at the holidays. The campaign benefits neighbors in need through The Salvation Army’s Corps Community Centers, which provide social services to the zip codes served by our sites in Holyoke, Springfield and Greenfield. Hampden County was in the midst of its second industrial revolution, prior to the Great Depression, when Toy for Joy started. There were floods of hard-working immigrants in lower paying factory and mill jobs who needed our help to ensure that their children and families had a meal on the table and gifts to open on Christmas morning. Decades later, our steadfast commitment ‘to do the most good by doing the most good to the help the most people in the most need’ holds true. Our doors remain open to all with love and without discrimination.”
Q; Often in past donation listings printed in the newspaper, you’ll see amounts such as $1, $2, $5… if someone has a tight budget this year, will a donation such as that really help?
“Yes, every donation to Toy for Joy makes a difference and is meaningful. Eighty-three cents of every dollar donated to The Salvation Army remains in the community where it was given. Since my husband and I arrived at The Salvation Army in Holyoke, we have met many people who donate whatever they can afford to Toy for Joy, Red Kettles, or other events because The Salvation Army provided them, or a relative, assistance at some point in their lives. People can learn more at salvationarmyma.org/toyforjoy.”
Q; Are there any other ways an individual can help out the Toy for Joy campaign now, or throughout the year?
“There are so many ways to give or get involved! For people who want to give the gift of their time, volunteers are needed to help The Salvation Army and Toy for Joy at the holidays and throughout the year. As we always say “need knows no season.” We are always looking for volunteers to help with distribution or packing at the holidays or throughout the year in our food pantries, planning and advisory board committees, translation services and awareness. Many people think of The Salvation Army as Thrift Stores or Red Kettles; however, we are so much more! As one of the largest social service providers in the nation, we have continued to meet the growing needs of our community by fighting food insecurity and providing emergency rent and utility assistance in Hampden County. We encourage anyone who is interested in getting involved either as an individual or corporation to reach out to schedule a visit. They can learn more or sign up at salvationarmyma.org/volunteer. We are blessed and grateful for the longstanding support of volunteers and supporters in our community. Their kindness and love allows us to feed more than 500 people in Holyoke each week and ensure that thousands of children have received a gift under the tree on Christmas morning each year! .”
