WESTFIELD-Every child should be able to wake up on Christmas morning and find a toy under the tree from Santa Claus, but for hundreds of children in the city on Dec. 25, that joy may be dashed.
A small pile of toys await distribution by the Salvation Army office in Westfield.
“We are facing a serious shortage of toys this year,” said Laurie Matthews, who coordinates the logistics of the Salvation Army’s Westfield office, along with Emily Mew, Salvation Army’s field representative who is based in Canton.
Matthews noted in an interview Friday morning that more than 1,400 children are in need of Christmas presents and “donations are down.”
For area residents wishing to help, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at St. Joseph’s Church, 73 Main St. Matthews and her dedicated crew of volunteers will be in the church’s social center (located behind the church) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. next Monday through Friday coordinating the distribution of toys.
For any one wishing to donate a toy or two, all donations must be dropped off during those hours by Wednesday.
“We need the toys by Wednesday in order to get them to the families in time for Christmas,” said Matthews.
Matthews said that many businesses and organizations have been instrumental to date in helping to collect toys including the Westfield Athenaeum, Blessed Sacrament Church, Savage Arms, Western Massachusetts Hospital, Westfield High School, Westfield Rotary, Tighe & Bond, The Little Y at Big Y Supermarkets, Amelia Park, St. Mary’s Church, the Mayor’s Office, and the Episcopal Church of the Atonement.
“Our regular donors, as well as Girl Scouts, Brownies, Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts have also donated toys for the children,” said Matthews, noting that in years past she has had an abundance of toys to distribute.
Mew echoed those sentiments.
“Our regular donors always help us,” said Mew, adding “We experienced an increase of 60 to 70 families this year who are seeking assistance and have collected fewer gifts.”
Matthews said she hopes to help more than 400 families next week with toys for their children.
For individuals who wish to make a monetary donation that will allow Matthews and Mew to purchase last-minute gifts, a text can be sent to Westfield 71777 which will generate a text back allowing the individual to make a donation.
“We want all children to have a happy Christmas morning,” said Mew, adding, “We don’t want to see a family unable to provide gifts to their children.”
