Across Western Pennsylvania this morning, thousands of children in needy and struggling families are starting Christmas with the smiles and thrills that every child should experience on this special day.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette readers have been lending a hand to the less fortunate since the Goodfellows Toy Fund was founded 60 years ago, but the tradition of providing Christmas cheer to underprivileged children dates to 1894.

That year, a man named Maj. R.W.A. Simmons happened upon a group of children in a Downtown alley. He asked what they were expecting from Santa that Christmas, and they told him they figured Santa would pass them up, as he had before.

Maj. Simmons returned to his office, where he and co-worker George L. Bond, then 31 years old, hatched the idea of gathering used toys, fixing them and distributing them to needy children.

Workers in the office searched their attics and came up with enough toys for 25 children.

That was the start of what would become known as the Toy Mission.

In 1908, Mr. Bond refurbished a sled and gave it to a boy named Joey Sheer. It was the child's only gift that Christmas. The young man never forgot the act of kindness.

By 1935, the mission was serving 18,000 to 20,000 children a year. Churches, clubs, schools and families were invited to donate used and broken toys, and volunteers donated their spare time to fix, repaint and wrap them. Still overseeing it was Mr. Bond, by then in his 70s and white-haired.

Mr. Bond, of Crafton, died in 1939. In January 1941, the Optimist Club of Pittsburgh approached Mr. Bond's widow with its idea to create a memorial to her husband. The president of the Optimists at the time was none other than I.J. "Joey" Sheer, the boy with the sled who had worked his way to success.

That was the beginning of the Bond Memorial Toy Mission.

Organizers amassed thousands of wooden and metal toys, dolls, buggies, bicycles, wagons and roller skates.

On Nov. 19, 1947, the front page of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette carried an announcement about the creation of the Post-Gazette Good Fellows:

"Even Christmas should have a 'new look' this season.

"Optimist Club members, sponsors of the Bond Memorial Toy Mission, are going to have the help of Post-Gazette Good Fellows in removing that look of disappointment from the faces of Allegheny County's underprivileged children Christmas Day."

Depots were set up to collect donated toys, and cash contributions were solicited to pay for toys for needy kids, with the promise that every contributor's name would be published in the newspaper -- a tradition that continues to this day.

Inside that day's paper appeared the very first Good Fellows donation coupon, beneath a headline: "This Is the Beginning of the Toy Parade."

In later years, the program asked contributors to donate cash rather than toys, because the burden of repairing used and broken toys had become too great. The money was to be used to purchase, wrap and deliver brand-new toys to the needy.

The program, and the generosity of Post-Gazette readers, continued to grow.

Nov. 25, 1965, saw the debut of a cartoon drawn by Post-Gazette editorial cartoonist Cy Hungerford of a tearful child holding an empty "stocking," actually a tattered sock. It became the symbol of the Goodfellows Toy Fund.

Mr. Sheer, who died in 1987 at age 90, continued as the driving force behind the Goodfellows campaign until he was 85, helping to buy toys and arranging to have volunteers distribute them.

In 1999, Goodfellows teamed with the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program, which buys and distributes the gifts made possible by readers' donations.

Throughout this holiday season, you have helped to carry on the good work that began with Maj. Simmons and George Bond 113 years ago, and continued with decades of devotion by Joey Sheer, the boy who got the sled.

Thank you, and Merry Christmas!

Today's total:.....$46.389.95

Grand total:.....$175,425.24

Pittsburgh Stock and Bond Association.....$2,500

UAW Local 544 and UAW Local 544 Retirees Chapter.....$2,089

Post-Gazette Editorial Employees.....$2,000

Heather and Jennifer.....$2,000

Sons of the American Legion Squad 82, Family Unit 82, Carnegie Post 82.....$1,818

On behalf of the Leonard A. and Mary Jane Schafer Foundation.....$1,000

Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh Communications Workers of America.....$800

In memory of Mr. and Mrs. S.L. Clark.....$600

Anonymous.....$500

Pittsburgh Area Jitterbug Club.....$500

In memory of Grandma Susan and Grandpa Thurman.....$500

Brad Amos, MD, Ph.D......$500

Dennis R. Bonessa.....$400

The Beard Family.....$350

In honor of Red Paulette.....$340

Michael Ruefle.....$300

In memory of our dear Adrianne - Gemma, Matrika and Clif.....$300

Susan Rendulic.....$300

Dr. Herry B. Burke and Associates.....$300

Darryl Spencer.....$300

Anonymous.....$250

Mike, April and Sophia Magliocco.....$250

In memory of Patricia, Sabrina and Mark.....$250

Sarris Candies Inc......$250

Anonymous.....$250

Anonymous.....$250

The Kuligowski Family.....$250

Dr. H. Burke.....$250

Richard and Janet Peterson.....$250

Marie Connolly and Steven Husted.....$200

Anonymous.....$200

Jim, Connie, Jim and Joe Stover.....$200

Barbara H. Bott.....$200

Anonymous.....$200

Brad King.....$200

Julie Jacobs.....$200

H. Cordes.....$200

John and Gertrude Echement.....$200

Anonymous.....$200

Matt and Chris Kohl.....$200

DAD1.....$200

Diane Rigney.....$200

Susan Wyatt.....$200

In memory of Richard L. Johnson.....$200

Seamus White.....$200

Dave and Bea.....$150

Anonymous.....$150

St. Sebastian Preschool, NH, Children Helping Children.....$135

Anonymous.....$125

Dona and Barbara Waldron.....$125

Gurrentz International Corp......$120

In honor of Marjorie E. Rogers.....$120

Dr. Linda Wellner.....$108

Drs. Nalina and Anil Prabhu.....$101

In honor of Aiden and Sami Jo Bewick.....$100

Anonymous.....$100

Anonymous.....$100

Maddy Adelkoff.....$100

Richard McKnight.....$100

In memory of Don and Jean Bowser.....$100

In memory of Eileen Boerio.....$100

Greg and Lora Rich.....$100

Garlaus Family.....$100

Wesley Yang.....$100

Jeff and Lee Ann Steimer.....$100

Cheryl Tracy.....$100

In memory of Margaret Vanlandingham.....$100

Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Friday.....$100

Amy L. Thomson.....$100

Carolyn and Tom Worrall.....$100

Liz and Randy Kosky.....$100

John L. Wessels Jr......$100

Steve and Chris Schrom.....$100

Martin and Lynne Feuer.....$100

Joanne Ross Wilder.....$100

Paul and Nancy Scott.....$100

Anonymous.....$100

In memory of Diane Lynn and Ronald J. Soltis.....$100

Anonymous.....$100

George Dorfner.....$100

Jack and Mary Jo Neff.....$100

In memory of Helen and George Binegar.....$100

Dr. James J. Portman.....$100

In memory of Rutsor and Virginia Erway.....$100

David and Ryan Watterson.....$100

The Reich family.....$100

Bernard O'Connor.....$100

Nan Norris.....$100

Patrick Bianconi.....$100

Andrew Powell.....$100

Martin and Susan Byrd.....$100

In memory of Bill, Dick and Jim Hannon.....$100

Arthur and Martha Antonella.....$100

Lori Dorsch.....$100

Bob and Janet McCartney.....$100

Carol Davis.....$100

James and Paula Camarote.....$100

Gary and Trish Sauer.....$100

Rosemary McCullough.....$100

E.A. Turnbull.....$100

Fran Kelly.....$100

David Dzombak and Carolyn Menard.....$100

Jim and Cheryl Lyne.....$100

I. Dean.....$100

Mathers Family.....$100

Office of the Registrar, Duquesne University.....$100

Anonymous.....$100

Herbert W. Holder.....$100

Bob and Laurie Henninger.....$100

John and Lisa Kolonich.....$100

In honor of Gary Mangan.....$100

Karen and Taylor Chambers.....$100

Paul G. Dobias.....$100

Ruth W. Olliffe.....$100

Anonymous.....$100

J.C. Whetzel.....$100

Anonymous.....$100

J. Iurlano.....$100

In memory of Vivian English - Georgetta L. Harding.....$100

Dr. Jack Abarbanel.....$100

Anonymous.....$100

Anonymous.....$100

Elsie H. Hillman.....$100

A Friend.....$100

David Hornig.....$100

Edwin J. Kancie Jr......$100

Todd Carter.....$100

Kurt and Darlene Blodgett.....$100

Greg and Carol Davis.....$100

Paul, Heather, Taylor and Cole Oravitz.....$100

Patty and John.....$100

Anonymous.....$100

Henry and Nancy Armstrong.....$100

The Socash Family.....$100

David Dorsey Jr......$100

Wilfred and Susan Hansen.....$100

Kerrie Fisher.....$100

In memory of Paul Rabick.....$100

Randy and Lisa King.....$100

Dee and Ed Pefferman.....$100

In memory of Mark and Carmen Danni.....$100

In memory of Frieda K. Hammermeister.....$100

Steve and Nancy Frein.....$100

Norman and Lorie Roule.....$100

Mike Joyce.....$100

Tarasi Family.....$100

In loving memory of Jeffrey and Darlene Buck.....$100

Maxwell family.....$100

In honor of my wife Mary Beth.....$100

Anonymous.....$100

Cody Babin.....$100

Melissa McCoy.....$100

In honor of Christie, Tricia and Ashley Burford.....$100

In honor of Chas. C......$100

In memory of Tom "You're Covered" Stein.....$100

Anonymous.....$100

Anonymous.....$100

Anonymous.....$100

Karon and Dan Siewiorek.....$85

Jessica, Zachary, and Madison Day.....$75

Ann and Judy.....$75

Tim and Jama McCabe.....$75

Anonymous.....$75

Anonymous.....$75

Anonymous.....$75

Frank Stagno.....$65

Nick, Alex, Dean and Andrew Sherman.....$60

Bank of New York, WCS Client Support.....$60

Brian Weller.....$57

Anonymous.....$50

Anonymous.....$50

In memory of Adam Zebroski.....$50

Corrine Klaphake.....$50

The Kulchar Family.....$50

Gable-Krieg Family.....$50

Jay and Kelli Glunt.....$50

Jack and Cynthia Reynolds.....$50

Marilyn Stokes.....$50

J.G. James.....$50

Skip and Nancy Grabenstein.....$50

Johanna S. Nugent.....$50

Bernice Williamson.....$50

Smolar Family.....$50

The Lippert Family.....$50

Anonymous.....$50

The Kantors.....$50

M. Cimini.....$50

In memory of James E. Hoke.....$50

Samson and Sadie Powell.....$50

In honor of Rose H. Foradori.....$50

In memory of Gary Jones from Bill and Chris Weber.....$50

In memory of Franhis Family by Harry Portner.....$50

In memory of Sally Braszo by Ray Braszo.....$50

Family of Edward J. McGee.....$50

Colette and Charlie Coughlin.....$50

In memory of John and Josephine Esposito.....$50

Carol Miles.....$50

Patrick B. Martinez - Think of Us Travel.....$50

Anonymous.....$50

Anonymous.....$50

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kaetzel.....$50

Bob, Barb, Michelle and Mike Skaneski.....$50

In memory of John Clark.....$50

Regan Fetterolf.....$50

In honor of E. Dale George.....$50

In memory of Brandon Chiarelli.....$50

Delaney Glenn and Leah Margaret.....$50

In memory of Kimberly.....$50

Gail Gratton.....$50

Lawrence and Pamela Brown.....$50

In memory of Rick Dobbs.....$50

In memory of Our Parents - Jude and Donna Shemon.....$50

In memory of Dush and Ann Zarnic.....$50

In memory of Anthony and Olga Mazanek.....$50

Don and June Kudas.....$50

Bob and Carol McCurdy.....$50

C.L. Erickson.....$50

Anonymous.....$50

In honor of Alecia, Michael and Brianna - Grammy and Pap.....$50

Anonymous.....$50

Anonymous.....$50

In memory of Jeff Medovitch.....$50

John Brady.....$50

In memory of Lawrence "Melai" Ramsey from wife Barbara and son Drew.....$50

In memory of Anthony "Slo-Mo" Jackson from Mom Barbara, brother Drew, Jackson Family.....$50

Gregory Waldo.....$50

Anonymous.....$50

Ronald D. Stone.....$50

In memory of Donald J. Kuhl.....$50

Anonymous.....$50

In memory of Donovan Sanks.....$50

Kern Family.....$50

In memory of Harry Coughanour.....$50

In memory of the ASAF and Gabriel Families.....$50

In memory of Al Boggs - Mark and Ann South.....$50

John and Marlene Richnafsky.....$50

W.F. Nirschel.....$50

Barbara Anderson.....$50

Wertz Family.....$50

In memory of Elaine Lewis.....$50

Anonymous.....$50

Nancy Varnum.....$50

James and Patricia Gordon.....$50

Giannangeli Family.....$50

In memory of Jean Urlakis.....$50

Anonymous.....$50

Evan, Owen and Ryan.....$50

Andy Gaslevich.....$50

Anonymous.....$50

In honor of Vanessa Pallone.....$50

In honor of Emily Mamula.....$50

Anonymous.....$50

Anonymous.....$50

In memory of Mary Dee Rensel.....$50

In honor of Patricia Barcic.....$50

In memory of Barbara and Harold King.....$50

Jeanne Manion.....$50

Sherry H. Malone.....$50

Ann Ferrin.....$50

Mr. Salvino Recrosio.....$50

Dave and Vellaruth Alberth.....$50

Bill and Joan Kuntz.....$50

Joe and Jen.....$50

Antionette Faccone.....$50

Richard Braun.....$50

Ken, Lindy and Norm.....$50

Joan Gaul.....$50

John J. Scully.....$50

J. Seitz.....$50

RC.....$50

In memory of George, Ann and Gary Barilla.....$50

Anonymous.....$50

Anonymous.....$50

Barry, Linda and Garrett Zug.....$50

In memory of Charles Burrell.....$50

Len and Kathy Stept.....$50

In memory of Mary C and Warren W.....$50

Larry and MaryBeth Erin.....$50

In memory of Grammy Elvis by Dominic and Gigi.....$50

Shirley Kobert.....$50

Lori and Kevin Rockwell.....$50

Michael R. Bucci Jr......$50

Anonymous.....$50

Diane Vater.....$50

Anonymous.....$50

In memory of Bud Steiner.....$50

In memory of Geri Palmieri.....$50

Dale and Barb Carmassi.....$50

The Petrone Family.....$50

Leo Olshinsky.....$50

Kathy Antoniazzi.....$50

Robert and Lynn Barnes.....$50

Jerry and Stacy Cocoran.....$50

Danver Family.....$50

In memory of John "Pap" Janocha.....$50

Marilyn Henderson.....$50

Adam, Caitlin, Mollie, Megan and Alex.....$50

M. Zimmerman.....$50

In memory of Chas Clements.....$50

Michael F. Kubiak.....$50

Bill and Marsha Sorba.....$50

Ben and Dan Getkin.....$50

Susan Cercone.....$50

Natalie and Jenna Mangene.....$50

Tom and Maureen Kinneavy.....$50

Dana and Richard Green.....$50

Elizabeth B. Perkins.....$50

In memory of Randy Raida.....$50

Merry Christmas from Cam and Sam Shaw.....$50

George J. Helfrich Jr......$50

Rev. John R. Rushofsky.....$50

Robbie and Nicky Lange.....$50

Mary Samsa.....$50

Anonymous.....$50

In memory of Sydney Bahney.....$50

Anonymous.....$50

J. Ignatenko.....$50

Gary Sivewright.....$50

Pamela and Robert Hepple.....$50

Marie Page.....$50

Judy Zelezniak.....$50

Robert and Ryan Burnett.....$50

Claire and Annie Garvey.....$50

Ron Freeman.....$50

Anthony Schwacha.....$50

Sherle and Ray Bourg.....$50

Elaine H. Manning.....$50

Osthoff Family.....$50

Frank and Patti Miller.....$50

R and S Thompson.....$50

Keeners.....$50

Anonymous.....$50

Grace and Meg Kennedy and Friends.....$50

In memory of Rob Douglas.....$50

R. Gibson.....$50

Anonymous.....$45

Anonymous.....$45

Len and Eileen Laabs.....$40

Mitchell and Jake Dunay.....$40

Anonymous.....$40

Peggy Bothwell.....$40

Anonymous.....$40

Robert Dombrowski.....$40

Chase and Darby Matvey.....$40

Melanie A. Dreye Lude.....$40

Katie, Ronny and Jack Davenport.....$35

William K. Martz.....$35

Mattys Family.....$35

Jim Quattrone.....$35

In memory of Kirsten Tatar.....$35

Buddy, David, Alex, Abbe the Given Grandchildren.....$35

In memory of Shawn P. Keller.....$30

Mr. and Mrs. Stanley S. Barish.....$30

In memory of Shawn Froehlich.....$30

Sylvia Calhoun.....$30

The Kids of Colonial and Overlook Lemonade Stand.....$30

Anonymous.....$30

Alberta Sbragia and Martin Staniland.....$30

Robert Bracken.....$30

In memory of Grace Bussler.....$30

In memory of Robert B. Truel.....$30

Anonymous.....$30

Anonymous.....$30

Anonymous.....$30

Irene C. Guy.....$30

In honor of Cindy Morell.....$30

In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Virgara.....$30

Robert Bradken.....$30

Roxanne Klems.....$30

The D. Kovacs Family.....$30

C.J. Brown.....$30

In memory of Patricia Chiappino.....$30

Jordan G. - A Friend of Jesus.....$30

Ken Kennard.....$30

Marissa and Justin Schultz.....$30

C.A. Lesky.....$28.95

Anonymous.....$28

Stephanie Malesic.....$25

Kevin Malesic.....$25

Anonymous.....$25

Jim and Martha Funderburgh.....$25

Anonymous.....$25

J. Gilberti.....$25

In honor of Father Frank Kurimsky.....$25

Bennett Family.....$25

The Evans Family.....$25

Ce Ce and Zoe Armstrong.....$25

Tanner and Kendall Thomas.....$25

Brian and Bria Bates.....$25

Christopher and Cameron Simmons.....$25

Jordan and Maya Phillips.....$25

Michael and Christian Bates.....$25

Chris and Cindy Witte.....$25

Fray Neuhart.....$25

Virginia Kness.....$25

Mary Alice and Bill Norcik.....$25

Anonymous.....$25

Nancy L. Sobel.....$25

Lauren and Lizzie Headrock.....$25

Carolyn Lindsay.....$25

Mike and Jan Bavola.....$25

Vivian Williamson-Bryan.....$25

In memory of Angelo and Betty Ciaramella.....$25

JoAnn Dalmolin.....$25

John and Dolly Vogel.....$25

Anonymous.....$25

Benjamin E. Hicks.....$25

The Pavelick Family.....$25

Gregory Mincin - In memory of my Grandpap, Gene Mincin.....$25

In honor of the Lord Jesus.....$25

Angela Nolfi.....$25

In memory of Karie Cawley.....$25

Dariell Erskine.....$25

Kaylee Valent.....$25

Marie Louise Ross.....$25

The Cunninghams.....$25

In memory of Richard Crissman.....$25

Bill and Bonnie Bendgen.....$25

Edna Machenney.....$25

Charles H. Honesty.....$25

Wayne and Bonnie Chalovich.....$25

Lois J. Engle.....$25

Janet E. Jones.....$25

In memory of Gladys L. Smith.....$25

In memory of Leonard Odell Brown.....$25

Norman and Shirley Petrelli.....$25

In memory of Joseph and Sophia Gebicki.....$25

Lester Hadburg.....$25

In memory of Wendy J......$25

Anonymous.....$20

Anonymous.....$20

Helen and Anton Kral.....$20

In memory of Gina Nigro.....$20

John and Michelle Helba.....$20

In memory of Mike Vignovich and Dina Murdock.....$20

Katherine Robinson.....$15

In honor of Kelly, John and Dan, from Mom.....$15

In memory of Nicole Elena Ringes/Baba.....$15

In memory of Ted Demianczyk Jr./Ann.....$15

Norma J. Paguia.....$10

Anonymous.....$10

Walter E. Jaskulski.....$10

Donna Greene.....$10

In memory of George Villella.....$10

Anthony and Dolores Sciulli.....$5