Robert Bruce Beith News Today

A humble beginning has become an annual tradition that has brightened the holidays for hundreds of thousands of Maine children over the past 7 decades

The annual toy drive was started in 1949 by a newspaper editor and Portland social worker. Since then, 'there's never been a year that this didn't happen,' said operations manager Jeff Ham.

The 73-year-old charity, which has a new operations manager this year, continues to rely on the donations of newspaper readers to bring joy to children in need.

The Toy Fund was launched amid difficult economic conditions in 1949, and once again families are struggling this year and asking for help.

For the first time, the annual Press Herald Toy Fund will provide a new book for every child and is now ordering gifts through Maine-owned businesses.

The charity that began on a hunch in 1949 brought joy to 3,500 children in the midst of global pandemic.

Donation from Barron Center employees is enduring tribute to toy fund founder Matthew Barron wanted to provide toys to Portland children during a tough winter in 1949. Share Few donors to the Press Herald Toy Fund have been as faithful as the employees of the Barron Center, Portland’s city-run nursing home. Their gift – $215 this year – also has special meaning at the toy fund because it’s an annual reminder of the legacy of Matthew Barron, who not only cared for the Portland’s elder...