NORTHAMPTON — A lifelong resident of Northampton, the late Ed McMahon had always donated to the Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund, “wanting to help the kids and their families,” said his daughter, Kara McMahon.

When he died in 2013, his family continued the tradition and has donated each year since.

“My siblings and I just wanted to follow in the footsteps of our dad and in memory of him,” said Kara McMahon, one of five siblings. “It’s about bringing joy to families and children during the holiday season.”

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 worth $50 to qualifying families for each child from age 1 to 14.

Christmas at the McMahon household , “a wonderful experience,” began with a customary search for the perfect Christmas tree, which their father would saw down.

On Christmas Eve, the family of seven, alongside grandparents, aunts and other extended family would gather for a picnic around the fireplace, where they ate sandwiches and enjoyed each other’s company.

Residing near Smith College and Clarke School, the family would often then spend Christmas night skating down by the pond or sledding at Clarke School.

McMahon said that her dad wanted to “share the joy of the holidays” with families in need by donating to the Toy Fund.

“I’m sure that he would be very happy that we’ve continued that tradition,” she said. “He’d be proud of us.”

To be eligible for the Toy Fund, families must live in any Hampshire County community except Ware, or in the southern Franklin County towns of Deerfield, Sunderland, Whately, Shutesbury and Leverett, and in Holyoke in Hampden County.

The following stores are participating this year: A2Z Science and Learning Store, 57 King St., Northampton; Blue Marble/Little Blue, 150 Main St., Level 1, Northampton; High Five Books, 141 N. Main St., Florence; The Toy Box, 201 N. Pleasant St., Amherst; Comics N More, 64 Cottage St., Easthampton; Once Upon A Child,1458 Riverdale St., West Springfield; Plato’s Closet, 1472 Riverdale St., West Springfield; Sam’s Outdoor Outfitters, 227 Russell St., Hadley; Odyssey Bookshop, 9 College St., Village Commons, South Hadley; The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 W. Bay Road, Amherst; World Eye Bookshop, 134 Main St., Greenfield; Holyoke Sporting Goods Co., and 1584 Dwight St. No. 1, Holyoke.

Maddie Fabian can be reached at mfabian@gazettenet.com.