Toys For Joy Helping About 550 Enfield Families This Holiday Season

For the 57th consecutive year, Enfield children from needy families will be able to enjoy the holidays, thanks to the annual Toys For Joy program through the Enfield Police Department.

Officer Mike Krzynowek and a staff of volunteers, including two retired police chiefs, have been working incessantly since early December to ready the donated toys for the children.

"Donations were slim at first, but last week we reached out and received many more," Krzynowek said Thursday. "Chicago Sam's, USA Hauling and Jiggy's Cafe really came through."

Retired police chiefs Herb Foy and Ron Marcotte have been assisting Krzynowek for the past three weeks, packing boxes to cover more than 550 requests, an increase of about 80 families over last year. Retired police sergeant and U.S. Air Force Gen. Thomas Heath has also been instrumental in preparing for the distribution, which began Thursday morning.

An army of volunteers, including Foy, Marcotte, Heath, Police Chief Carl Sferrazza, Deputy Chief Gary Collins, Mayor Scott Kaupin, Town Councilwoman Cindy Mangini and Assistant Town Manager Dan Vindigni, began checking out packages at the former Broyhill Furniture building on Route 5 at 10 a.m., and continued until 2 p.m.

The remaining boxes may be picked up Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.