Without the Portland Press Herald Toy Fund, thousands of Maine children would not have any presents this holiday season.

Among them are two little boys – ages 5 and 2 – in Cumberland County.

“Our kids are wonderful, and are two of the most grateful little boys I’ve ever met,” their mother wrote in her application to the Portland Press Herald Toy Fund. “I wish that we could give them fully the holidays they deserve, but that usually proves to be a struggle.”

Their budget is tighter than ever this year, she explained.

They support their family of four on a monthly income of $1,200. Their father recently got a new job, but he struggles to get the hours he needs as a cook to make ends meet. And they swallowed an unexpected expense this year when their car died and needed to be replaced.

“We are slowly getting back on our feet,” the boys’ mother wrote. “If I could have one less stress right now and know our boys will have at least a few gifts to open on Christmas, I would feel a lot better.”

So each boy will receive a bag of toys from the Portland Press Herald Toy Fund in the Spirit of Bruce Roberts. The 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.

SUNDAY’S TOY FUND DONORS

Merry Christmas! Marie & Bob…………………………………………….$20

Anonymous……………………$100

In honor of my aunts, Shirley Brown and Dorothy Hamilton, fom Cindy Beckwith Fallona………………………………………$100

In memory of Dad; he grew up feeling unloved and unwanted, but taught us more about love and life than he knew. You were loved and wanted. TY………………………….$25

In memory of Elizabeth & Edward Ranaghan, who loved Christmas, from Mary & Phil Lantini…………………………………$50

Keeping the magic of Christmas for all children, Laurie & John Ernst………………………..$500

Mark Gallup & Mary Gelfund…………………………………….$50

Happy holiday! Celia, Owen, Finn and Molly…………………. $100

Anonymous……………………..$50

Cheers from Wrigley!….. .$100

In memory of Ruth, Ellie & Allie Perseille & Iona Gerry, from Joseph M. Perseille…………..$100

Anonymous……………………..$20

Total to date: $10,575.60

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