Toy for Pleasure helps Wel-Design Alarm Techniques in Wilbraham assist much less lucky

WILBRAHAM – John Welch knows his company and its employees are among the lucky ones.

“We were able to stay open this year. Not everyone could. The greater Springfield area was great for us. Helping Toy for Joy means helping many of our customers, ”said Welch, owner of Wel-Design Alarm Systems Inc. of Wilbraham.

Welch has passed the reins to his son Jack, but he remains active and keeps Toy for Joy on the company’s to-do list every Christmas season. This year, Wel-Design continued the tradition with a donation of more than $ 2,000.

“It never gets old. This year was different, but there are always people who need a hand, ”Welch said.

Toy for Joy, now in its 98th year, is a cooperation of the Salvation Army with The Republican, El Pueblo Latino and MassLive. By Christmas Eve, $ 150,000 is expected to be raised as gifts are distributed to families in need in counties of Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin.

This year’s community partners include Pride Stores and Hampden County’s Sheriff Nick Cocchi. Pride encourages customers in its western Massachusetts and northern Connecticut stores to contribute to Toy for Joy by purchasing $ 1, 5, or 10 donation cards.

Wel-Design has been in business since 1978 and offers a range of security systems. Providing installation, equipment and programming, the company has kept pace with a dramatic change in technology since its inception.

Fighting the coronavirus pandemic has been a challenge for everyone. Wel-Design is no exception, but Welch said he was grateful for the ability to continue serving customers and was excited to contribute to Toy for Joy, where recipients are at greater stress.

“It can feel like you’re doing 30% more work for 30% less, but we’re one of the lucky ones. We value the opportunity to help others, ”he said.

Contributions to Toy for Joy can be sent to The Republican, 1860 Main St., Springfield, MA 01103, using the voucher accompanying this story. Online donations can be made at give.salvationarmy.org/toyforjoy.

This voucher can be used to send contributions to The Republican, 1860 Main St., Springfield, MA, 01103.

Here is a list of recent posts:

In memory of Mememe and Pepere and Nana and Papa $ 25

In gratitude for our grandchildren Hannah, Sophie, Aedan, Kieran and Samuel $ 25

From Monson $ 50

Santa Claus can beat the virus. Happy Simon vacation from $ 25

In memory of my husband, grandchildren and loved ones from Anne Marie $ 20

In fond memories of Ann and Francis Austin $ 50

Hope this helps $ 10

Merry Christmas from Claudia and Harry $ 30

May every child have some joy from Clyde L. this Christmas. $ 300

I always remember Jacob Joseph (JJ) Fondahn $ 25

In memory of C. Finnell, E. Faust, E. Jenkins, and M. Brown $ 200

Grateful for Callie, Alexa, JP, Pop-Pop, and Grandma $ 200

Thank you to all of our $ 25 veterans

In honor of Christina, Lauren, Emily, Kate and Mikey Dunlop $ 20

Merry Christmas from Carolyn $ 25

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all the kids $ 25

Merry Christmas Children from the Sheehan Girls $ 100

Merry Christmas $ 50

In memory of Ma and Papa K., Mama and Papa B., Chassie, Ragz, Shy, Sparky, Tuney and Taste Tempter from LKB and SHB $ 20

Merry Christmas $ 50

In memory of Adele Tanner $ 100

In memory of Eleanor, George, and Margaret Reilly. Love, Kathy $ 50

In memory of my parents Hazel and Joseph Phillips $ 25

In fond memories of the Shea and Bewsee families, JS $ 50

In fond memories of John Paul, Charlie and Jim. Christmas blessing $ 20

In fond memory of Mike from Chris and Geri-Ann $ 100

In memory of our parents John and Linda $ 500

In fond memory of Bob and Jackie Sullivan $ 60

In memory of Helen and Ray Provost $ 100

In honor of our parents Ken and Laura Fellows $ 100

In memory of our parents Tony, Sophie, Dick and Marie $ 100

Merry Christmas to everyone from the Coues, Stone and Swan families $ 100

Merry Christmas Ashton and Parker from Grammy and Grandpa $ 100

Merry Christmas from the Reopel family $ 20

In memory of Ma. Lots of love, Debbie, Paul, Danielle and Michael $ 20

Merry Christmas $ 200

In memory of William. Love, Florence $ 15

For my wonderful Schmoops xoxo $ 100

Happy Holidays from Marianne and Bruce $ 200

We remember Terry, Heidi, Bailey, Daisy, Lilly, Duke, Roxy and Ziggy $ 25

Merry Christmas from Jackie $ 20

Sandy $ 50

In fond memories of our parents, Vera and Stanley and Helen and Al $ 25

With love from Oliver, Jude and Ilaria $ 250

Alex $ 50

Merry Christmas and God bless from Heidi $ 25

Rosemary $ 50

In memory of Bill and Alice $ 30

In memory of deceased members of the Ieraci and Messier families from Sue and Buzz $ 25

Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christmas $ 20

For our grandchildren Sadie, Nora, Noah and Easton $ 25

Merry Christmas from the Davis Family $ 50

Happy Holidays from Ella, Emmie, and Gabe $ 250

Anonymous $ 50

In honor of the men and women of the Springfield Police Department, $ 50

With love from Zoe and friend $ 20

In fond memories of my husband Frank. Love, Shirley $ 25

In memory of my mother Stella, who loved children, from Anna $ 100

God bless the kids $ 300

Remembering parents Roger and Myrtle and brothers Ward and Jeffery $ 25

In memory of Gramps C., Dad K., and Dad C. who all loved $ 20 kids

Merry Christmas to our lovely grandchildren Kenzie, AJ, Dom and Gino $ 20

In fond memories of Dave, Bridie, Kevin and Paul $ 100

Merry Christmas from a retired High School of Commerce $ 50 teacher

In fond memory of Rita Gallagher. Lots of love, Maureen and John Joe Martin $ 25

In fond memory of Peter Meunier $ 50

Anonymous $ 50

In memory of Paul Lynn and Allie’s family $ 50

In memory of Nana from Carolyn and Lauren $ 10

In memory of Nana from Bill and Mona $ 10

In memory of Nana from Rosemary and Jim $ 10

In memory of Nana from Elizabeth and Matthew $ 10

In memory of Nana from Cathleen, Pete, Emma and Maggie $ 20

In memory of Nana from Melissa, Davis, Luke, and Graham $ 20

In memory of Nana from Billy, Kim, Cameron and Gwenneth $ 20

Merry Christmas from Wel-Design Alarm Systems $ 2,041.60

Received $ 7,206.60

Total to date $ 76,107.60

Left $ 73,892.40

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