NORTHAMPTON - First the good news: from pennies to big checks, residents across the Valley pitched in some $70,000 for the Sydney F. Smith Toy Fund in 2008.

Now the bad: it wasn't enough to cover all the families seeking assistance from the Daily Hampshire Gazette's annual fund drive, whose mission is to help struggling families put toys under the Christmas tree and, in many cases, clothes on kids' backs.

That's saying something, considering that the fund, entering its 77th year, began in the throes of the Depression, but it's also understandable, given the region's near double-digit unemployment and related financial meltdown.

"We saw an increase in the number of people saying ¿I'm going to need some help this year,' said Gazette Publisher Jim Foudy. "The last two years the need has been greater, there's no question about it."

The Toy Fund isn't the only program for people in need experiencing an uptick in need. The Salvation Army this week stopped accepting applications for its annual toy drive because the agency had already received 1,025 requests. A year ago, the agency gave three toys each to about 700 kids in Hampshire County, and this year officials hope to provide two toys apiece.

"This year we've seen an extreme amount of people coming in," said Iris Rosa, service center coordinator. "We couldn't accept any more. I don't want to turn anyone down so I try to find other resources, but it's difficult."

Many factors at play

Blame the economy. Blame unemployment. Blame everyday struggles for families. Whatever the reason for last year's demand, the people who run the Toy Fund expect more of the same this holiday season.

"This year we've been getting calls a lot earlier than normal," said Marylou Spaulding, site coordinator with Berkshire Children and Families, the organization that screens applicants and verifies eligibility. "We were anticipating that with the economy and more layoffs."

In an effort to meet the expected demand and increase the fund's reach, Foudy said the Toy Fund expects to hand out 2,200 vouchers valued at $35 per child. That means raising about $77,000. The vouchers can be used at participating stores throughout the region.

"We can talk about numbers, but this is real families and real kids, and it's a hard time of year," said Foudy. "We want to do something for as many people as possible."

As it has for years, the Toy Fund will continue to help families referred to it by many social service agencies throughout the region. But the recession has led to many individuals reaching out for help on their own, including many unemployed fathers, rather than working through one of those agencies, said Cathy Lawler, a volunteer with Berkshire Children.

"People are so desperate," she said. "They call and ask what we can do, but they also want to know if there are any other programs or agencies that can help. We definitely felt a difference last year by the type of phone calls we were getting."

Named after a former business manager at the Gazette, the Toy Fund began in 1933 to help families in need during the Depression. Today, the fund distributes vouchers to families for each child from age 1 to 14. Eligible families must live in any Hampshire County community except Ware, or in the southern Franklin County towns of Deerfield, Sunderland, Whately, Shutesbury and Leverett.

The deadline to apply for a voucher from Berkshire Children's is Dec. 7. The agency is located at 220 Russell St. in Hadley.

Eligible families are provided vouchers redeemable at participating local retailers. The families can use the vouchers, scheduled to be mailed out Dec. 16, to buy holiday gifts at participating stores through Dec. 24.

The following stores are participating this year: A2Z Science and Learning Store, 57 King St., Northampton; Competitive Edge Ski and Bike, 500 Northampton St., Holyoke, and 374 Russell St., Hadley; Deals & Steals, 76 Pleasant St., Northampton; Faces, 175 Main St., Northampton; F.J. Rogers, 3 Main St., Florence; Guild Art, 102 Main St., Northampton; JCPenney, 341 Russell St., Hadley; Mountain Goat, 189 Main St., Northampton; The Toy Box, 201 N. Pleasant St., Amherst; Wilson's Dept. Store, 258 Main St., Greenfield.

The certificates are redeemable at every store on the list.

While the program is designed to help families buy toys for their children, many use the vouchers for clothes or buy other essentials such as diapers.

"The idea is to buy Christmas gifts for children, but the beauty of the voucher system is they can really use it for what they need," said Lawler.

The Gazette covers costs associated with the drive, freeing all donations to fund the vouchers.

Donations to the Toy Fund may be dropped off at or mailed to the Daily Hampshire Gazette at 115 Conz St. in Northampton, 01060 or Gazette offices at 67 Main St., Easthampton, or 100 University Drive, Amherst. Donations may also be made through Gazettenet at www.gazettenet.com. Checks should be made payable to the Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund.

Today's Donors

Cash donation#$25

Gary A. and Deborah A. Fitzroy#$20

Found on front sidewalk#$19

In memory of Rick Baldwin and in honor of "Grandma Donna" from Jen, Bill, Leah, and Braden#$100

In memory of Cave & Lewis families, Morris Cave & Cynthia Malcolmson#$50

St. John Cantius Women's Club#$100.

Today's Total $314.00

Year-To-Date Total $314.00