La Cucina di Hampden House restaurant cooks up special dinner for Toy for Joy

The staff at La Cucina di Hampden House Restaurant will be cooking up something special on Tuesday night.

From 5 to 9 p.m., the popular dining establishment is offering half-priced entrees for patrons who bring in contributions, both new toys and monetary gifts to benefit of the Toy for Joy campaign.

It’s a tradition La Cucina has maintained for more than a quarter of a century, and it has helped children in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties for all of that time.

“We are all looking forward so much to this event,” said Rich DiMattia, office manager of the restaurant at 1 Allen St. in Hampden. “We were put on hold by COVID-19, but we’re back. We want to make this annual event bigger and better than ever.”

Customers who bring an unwrapped toy can exchange it for any entree on the menu - at half price. “They can get a $45 steak dinner for half price. The next day, we’ll stuff our cars and take the toys to the Salvation Army. I love bringing them down and seeing the looks on everybody’s faces,” DiMattia said.

The La Cucina dine-out night is one of many special traditions associated with Toy for Joy, which is now in its historic 100th year. The gifts received help the Salvation Army ensure they can help even more families than have already registered, while financial donations remain critical to cover the costs of the toys and books already purchased for distribution to thousands of families, said Cynthia G. Simison, executive editor of The Republican.

“The financial contributions we receive running up to Christmas eve cover the costs of what’s already arrived at our Salvation Army sites for distribution to families who have registered,” Simison explained. “Donated gifts help each unit reach additional families, while monetary contributions pay our bills.”

To date, just over $24,000 has been raised toward the $150,000 goal of the campaign. It means more than $125,000 must be raised in the next 16 days.

In the past, the offer involved pasta dinners for toys. This year’s bargain offer is a bit different and offers more menu choice.

“It’s great food, great atmosphere and we appreciate it so much,” Salvation Army social services director Danielle LaTaille said. “This is my 15th Toy for Joy drive, and La Cucina has been part of it ever since I arrived. I’ll bring a big group of our Salvation Army family - and my own family, too.”

“They’re really excited,” she said. “So are we. It means so much to the drive.”

“We’re going all out to make it as big this year as possible,” La Cucina chief chef Paul Roberge said. “We want a blockbuster because we really want to make a difference.”

Diners may call 413-566-8224 for reservations, but it is not required.

Roberge said La Cuchina has teamed up with Village Food Mart to promote the event.

“All the credit goes to them,” Village Food Mart owner Alexis Vallides said. “We’re just making postings and flyers and reminding people about the event.”

Over the course of its 100 years, Toy for Joy has provided thousands of children in Western Massachusetts toys and books annually through the generosity of the region’s residents, school children, civic groups, businesses and others.

Toy for Joy is a collaborative effort by the Salvation Army with The Republican, El Pueblo Latino and MassLive, along with media partners at Reminders Publishing and The Westfield News. Salvation Army units in Springfield, Holyoke and Greenfield distribute toys and books to families in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties. Toy for Joy serves children age 16 and younger.

The coupon published with this story may be used to submit a contribution by mail to The Republican, 1860 Main St., Springfield, MA 01103. Donors can also make online contributions through https://give.salvationarmy.org/give/212002/#!/donation/checkout

Here’s the latest list of contributions:

Merry Christmas in memory of Mary Phelon $1,000

Future grand donors Aurora, Aspen and Harrison $25

To all the ones we loved that are gone from Cindy and Jim $25

Anonymous $25

In loving memory of my husband, Ed Desroches, from Cecile $50

Miss you Crawford $50

Thank you St. Jude. Love, Pat $15

Honoring Laura, Andrew, Cheyne and Lincoln from Peter and Bev $200

In memory of my friend Paul. RIP $10

Anonymous $10

In loving memory of Grandma Jo from Michael $50

Thank you St. Jude for prayers answered J.M. $25

Remembering Barbara who always made the holidays special from Joanne $25

In memory of our children, John and Lynette. Love, Mom and Dad $100

Memory of our Pipa with love Sophie and Lilah $25

Happy holidays from Tom and Bonnie $25

In loving memory of Tim and “Dee Jay” Bassett from Dick and Caroline $25

In memory of Mom and Dad and Bob $30

In memory of Attilio Foresti $25

In memory of Jim Trelease from David and Joyce $25

In memory of Ida Shea and Rita Maruca. Love, George and Karen $100

In memory of Bob and Julie Cross and Tony and Connie Serafino from Michael and Paula $100

Wish you were here. Merry Christmas Ma, Dad and Tom xoxo $30

In memory of Tanner Simpkiss from brother Hunter and family $25

Merry Christmas from the Bradys in Montgomery $1500

Merry Christmas to all from Beth $25

In memory of Al and Lucy Stefano. Love, family $20

In memory of Patty Healey. Love, Steven and Michael $50

For my grandchildren Emily, Christopher, Natalie, Noelle, Nicholas, Kayla and Becky $140

In loving memory of my parents Albin and Adele $25

Merry Christmas from my grandkids Mya, Alexa, Kayla, Riley and Gavin $125

Merry Christmas Peter Vogian $150

In memory of Patrick Cuff and CJ Scarff McKee. Never ever give up $50

For Matt $50

I hope you receive one blessing after another this coming year from Fernando $50

Received $2,755

Total to date $24,075

Still needed $125,925