New England Van Council’s toy donation one for the record books

  • The New England Van Council packed two vans with toys to fill the Roundhouse at the Franklin County Fairgrounds in Greenfield. Staff Photo/Julian Mendoza

  • New England Van Council member David Desaulniers (left) and Greenfield Police Officer Justin Purinton unload a van full of gifts at the Franklin County Fairgrounds in Greenfield on Sunday. Staff Photo/Julian Mendoza

  • The New England Van Council packed two vans with toys to fill the Roundhouse at the Franklin County Fairgrounds in Greenfield. Staff Photo/Julian Mendoza

  • Greenfield Police Officer Justin Purinton unloads a van full of gifts at the Franklin County Fairgrounds in Greenfield on Sunday. Staff Photo/Julian Mendoza

  • The New England Van Council packed two vans with toys to fill the Roundhouse at the Franklin County Fairgrounds in Greenfield. Staff Photo/Julian Mendoza

  • The New England Van Council packed two vans with toys to fill the Roundhouse at the Franklin County Fairgrounds in Greenfield. Staff Photo/Julian Mendoza

  • The New England Van Council packed two vans with toys to fill the Roundhouse at the Franklin County Fairgrounds in Greenfield. Staff Photo/Julian Mendoza

Staff Writer
Published: 12/6/2021 7:13:27 AM
Modified: 12/6/2021 7:12:59 AM

GREENFIELD — The New England Van Council pulled up to the Franklin County Fairgrounds on Sunday with what is believed to be a personal record-setting donation of gifts and money.

The group, which has organized van shows annually at the fairgrounds, arrived at 10 a.m. with a $3,291 check and two vans packed full of toys, books, bicycles and more as part of their yearly contribution to local toy drives. The donations, made by Van Council members and some good Samaritans, were enough to fill the fairgrounds’ Roundhouse both literally and figuratively with holiday cheer.

The gifts and funding will benefit the Greenfield Salvation Army, as well as Giving Back Together, a toy drive that serves Greenfield, Turners Falls and the surrounding areas. Toys will be distributed within the “next week or two,” according to Greenfield Police Sgt. Chris Rowell.

Rowell said the charity has run for four years and was able to continue in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, however, he estimated the donations to amount to “at least double” the toys, crediting the increase to people’s heightened compassion.

“I think people just know it’s been hard for everybody,” he said.

Van Council member David Desaulniers reinforced this notion, having observed the generosity within his organization and beyond. Just the day before, the Van Council hosted a collection party in West Warwick, R.I., a tradition that also occurs annually.

“We know there’s a big need,” Desaulniers said. “People understand that this is a tough time for people and they showed up.”

The $3,291 check, which Van Council Treasurer Judi Baker said is “almost double” last year’s amount, combined money made from auctions, as well as donations from council members and other interested parties. The money will go toward the Greenfield Massachusetts Police Association.

“With that money, they can go and buy more toys,” Desaulniers said.

Michael Nelson, president of the Franklin County Agricultural Society that manages the fairgrounds on Wisdom Way, said the Van Council has “really made the Franklin County Fairgrounds their home.”

“They welcomed us into their community and we want to make sure we give back to the community,” Desaulniers said. “The fairgrounds has been nothing but good to us, and so has the community.”

Van Council members said they’re not only showing gratitude, but oaperating out of joy.

“We actually enjoy it,” Van Council member Stephen Biltcliffe said. “We really do.”

Reach Julian Mendoza at 413-772-0261, ext. 261 or jmendoza@recorder.com.


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