Rich Neal: “I want to take this opportunity to extend my warmest congratulations to the Springfield, Massachusetts, Citadel of the…”

“I want to take this opportunity to extend my warmest congratulations to the Springfield, Massachusetts, Citadel of the Salvation Army, The Republican newspaper, El Pueblo Latino MassLive, Reminder Publishing, and The Westfield News upon the occasion of celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Toy for Joy campaign. Founded in the early 1920s by the Bowles family, the Toy for Joy program has been a century-long collaboration between The Salvation Army and The Republican, with roots going back to The Daily News and the Union News, providing toys and books to children in need throughout the Pioneer Valley. Sustained by the spirit of giving through periods of war, economic depression, and health crises, Toy for Joy has benefited thousands of families when they needed it most. Thanks to the hard work of countless volunteers, along with the generosity of the people of western Massachusetts, Toy for Joy has continued to fulfill its mission of bringing Christmas joy to the children of our region during the holiday season. Toy for Joy is a cherished initiative in western and central Massachusetts, and I, like others, want to wish it many more years of success and prosperity. ____________________”