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Today's News
Santa's helpers cheer youngsters
More than 600 gifts were collected for the much-appreciated giveaway.
12/15/2002
By MICHAEL McAULIFFE
Staff writer
SPRINGFIELD - There were two wrapped presents in the bag, and 10-year-old Amanda L. Marsden just could not wait.
"Can we open 'em now?" she asked her mother, Sharlene D.
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Within moments, Amanda and her twin sister, Brittany D., had torn off the wrapping of their gifts and found the prize inside: a stuffed toy white tiger with black stripes.
"Wow. Wow!" said mom. "They're big on stuffed animals, too," their mother said.
The Marsdens were among the many families victimized by fire in 2002 who yesterday were recipients in a holiday toy giveaway by the American Red Cross, Pioneer Valley Chapter. The giveaway took place at the chapter offices on Cottage Street, and, in some instances, gifts were delivered to families.
The Marsdens were burned out of their Ludlow home in September, and while they are Jehovah's Witnesses and do not celebrate Christmas, the gifts brought instant joy at the close of a difficult year.
"We're very blessed, very, very blessed," Sharlene Marsden said. "The Red Cross is amazing. It's unbelievable. I never knew that they do as much as they do."
Brittany was, in her own way, equally thankful.
"I love it," she said. "It's really, really cool."
Charlann Griswold, director of Disaster Services for the Red Cross, said more than 600 toys were to be given away, the recipients being infants to teen-agers. The cache included dolls, stuffed animals, board games, puzzles, craft kits, fire trucks and dump trucks.
Novak Financial Group of Springfield, United Parcel Service and Hasbro donated toys. The Red Cross also held five toy drives and individuals gave toys or money. Families who were unable to pick up the gifts set aside for them yesterday will still be able to do so through Thursday.
"This is the best feeling because ... you feel like Santa Claus," Griswold said.
There were several volunteers on the scene yesterday, including Alana L. Lupien, a Holyoke resident who has offered her help to the Red Cross since Sept. 11, 2001, the day of the terrorist attacks.
Lupien, who sorted gifts and stuffed them in bags yesterday, said the toy giveaway meant much more to her than Christmas shopping. "This is more heartwarming, to know you're helping someone out and actually bringing a smile," she said.
Among those who came to pick up toys were Springfield residents Stephanie L. and Earl Larry. The couple has four children, ages 10 to 16, and the family lost everything in a fire in January.
Last year for Christmas there were bicycles, televisions and video cassette recorders. This year, the Larrys decided they could not afford toys for their kids. Stephanie Larry then got the good news from the Red Cross about the giveaway. "They were always there for us," she said.
Colleen L. Burke, who was burned out of her Chicopee home in February, said it did not matter what kind of toys the Red Cross gave her 9-year-old daughter, Tara. The gesture is what mattered. "It lets the kids know that even though they had a hard year, someone's thinking about them," Burke said. Michael McAuliffe can be reached at [email protected]