As a young girl growing up in Iowa, Cathy Houlihan always woke up on Christmas morning with presents under the family’s tree.

Now, Houlihan, 59, of Cape Elizabeth is trying to give back to those less fortunate. This holiday season, she again joined the team of volunteers at the Portland Press Herald Toy Fund. Now, its 67th year, the fund uses donations from readers to buy toys for children who might not otherwise receive a gift for Christmas.

Houlihan’s father served as a police officer when she was growing up. A fellow officer would dress as Santa and come to their house bearing presents, she said.

“I remember how exciting it was to have something a little different at Christmas outside of our normal presents,” Houlihan said. “It makes me feel good knowing that there will be kids that have presents under the tree.”

Houlihan got involved with the toy fund about five years ago. She volunteers once a week for a few hours doing various tasks like sorting gifts into bags for kids. Every so often, she gets the opportunity to hand out a bag of gifts to a family.

“They are so appreciative,” she said.

Judy Oliver, 80, of Yarmouth volunteers for the same reasons. She’s been involved with the toy fund for roughly 12 years.

“I just feel like they do such wonderful things for children who might not have any Christmas presents if they weren’t there,” Oliver said. “The parents are so thankful to have something to put under the tree for their children. It just makes it all worth it.”

The Portland Press Herald Toy Fund in the Spirit of Bruce Roberts 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.

THURSDAY’S DONATIONS

In loving memory of my grandfather,George Grise, who loved little children  $25

In memory of Phil Albert  $25

Anonymous  $100

In memory of Buddy  $50

In honor of our parents – Jane and James Pringle  $100

From a grateful Nona and Grandpa  $100

From a Mother of Two  $50

To bring a smile to a child at Christmas  $30

In memory of my aunt, Barbara White  $30

In loving memory of Dana , Bruce,Eddie & Gene from those who love them still and always will  $100

Nancy and Kenneth Gordon  $100

In loving memory of parents: Bill & Toni McDonough and Harold & Vickie Bragdon from Bill & Carol  $50

In honor of Althea & Philip Moore and Laurel & Kenneth Marston – Deborah and Kurt Marston  $100

Howard Burnell – Burnell’s Towing  $50

In loving memory of Elmer Constant and Ruth Bennett  $100

In loving memory of Anita & Edward Ventura and Barbara Pepper  $10

To honor Laura & John, Mary & Andrew,Jordan & Odessa, Christina, AJ & Casey and Alanna, Sam, Jordan, Noah, Lara, Maria, Ethan,Dara, James,Meriwether, Finn, & Oliver  $250

In memory of my husband, Cliff Smith, Parents Philip & Janet Farley and my sister, Cathy Delacourt  $25

In memory of my dad, Phillip  $50

In loving memory of my parents and brother:Arthur, Eleanor and Stephen Flynn  $100

In loving memory of Kimberly Johnson Ferguson from The Adams Family  $25

Samuel Rudman  $150

Merry Christmas to all! Bonnie Clukey  $20

In loving memory of Gavino S. Petillo  $100

Karl Thompson  $60

In loving memory of Avianna Lee Petillo  $100

Hoping for small hands with big smiles  $100

Total to date:  $79,628.60

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