Every year before Christmas, Buzz Hartford’s sister volunteered for what was then known as the Bruce Roberts Toy Fund.

His job at UPS was demanding during the holidays, however, so he didn’t have the chance to join her on a volunteer shift before she died at the age of 40.

But as soon as he retired in 1998, he took her annual place at what is now called the Portland Press Herald Toy Fund in the Spirit of Bruce Roberts.

“I’m there right from day one,” said Hartford, now 80, of Cumberland. “I look forward every year to helping out.”

Volunteers sort toys into packages for children based on age and gender. Those gifts go to children who range from infants to teenagers.

“The mission of the toy fund is to make sure just as many children as possible have a Christmas,” Hartford said. “Even if they don’t have a tree, they’ll have presents to open up at Christmas.”

In addition to giving his time, Hartford still makes a personal donation in his sister’s name every year.

She worked at Portland City Hall, which was part of the collaboration to start the fund more than six decades ago.

In 1949, Portland’s assistant welfare director teamed up with a Portland Evening Express editor using the pen name of Bruce Roberts to raise money to buy toys for needy children.

Her brother said she would be glad to know the fund is still operating every year.

“I’m sure she’d still be volunteering,” Hartford said.

The Portland Press Herald Toy Fund is using donations from readers to provide toys to thousands of Maine children who might otherwise not receive holiday gifts because of hardships faced by their parents.

The fund – now in its 67th year – is accepting applications for toys from needy families in Cumberland, York, Sagadahoc, Lincoln and Knox counties.

Applications can be downloaded at pressheraldtoyfund.org or picked up at the Welcome Center desk on the fifth floor of One City Center in Portland.

Call 791-6672 to have one mailed to you.

Donations to help buy the toys can be made on the website or by writing checks to the Portland Press Herald Toy Fund and mailing them to the fund at P.O. Box 7310, Portland, ME 04112.

For more information and to donate online, go to: pressheraldtoyfund.org

See more stories about the fund at pressherald.com.

MONDAY’S TOY FUND DONORS

Lynn Marshall $25

Thea Spires $20

Sandy Johnson and Clint Strout $100

Merry Christmas! from Brandi Walsh $20

In memory of Donna Molinari, who loved helping the babies $100

Anonymous $50

Anonymous $100

Wishing Joy and Happiness to all Maine families! $250

Merry Christmas! From Strategic Media $750

Susan J. Pye $100

In loving memory of John Wall Sr., Mary A Wall & John Wall Jr., from Mary Wall $50

In memory of Marcia & Charlie Jordan, my parents, who left this Earth way too soon, Love, Jennifer Jordan-Twombley $100

Carol and Alan Sockloff $100

Merry Christmas! God bless 🙂 from Rick & Cindy Slaney $20

Total to date $12,360.60

Comments are not available on this story.