Volunteers have kept the Press Herald Toy Fund going since the very start 73 years ago.

And few were as devoted as Linda Ford.

Ford was a Massachusetts native who settled with her husband and children in Gorham. After retiring from Casco Bay Eyecare, she worked as a substitute teacher in Gorham.

She enjoyed candlepin bowling and bargain hunting at yard sales, and was a fixture at her grandchildren’s sporting events, concerts and plays. Christmas was a big deal for Ford, who always made sure it was a happy time for her family.

And she volunteered. A lot.

Ford was a foster grandparent in Gorham schools and a volunteer with the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, Little League and the Gorham Police Department.

And for at least 30 years, she put her love of Christmas and children to use as a helper at the Press Herald Toy Fund. Like many longtime volunteers, Ford knew the charity by its original name – the Bruce Roberts Fund. (The name came from the byline of the Portland newspaper columnist who cofounded it in 1949.)

Ford often brought her grandson to volunteer with her. She also was known for bringing baked treats for her fellow volunteers, especially a signature cranberry bread.

She was known as a force of nature with endless energy, one of those people who are truly happy to have a chance to help.

“Once she got going, it was always full speed,” said her son Ronald Flint. “She just enjoyed the holidays, loved being around people and loved to see people happy.”

Ford stopped volunteering because of health problems about five years ago. She died last July at the age of 83.

Now friends and family are donating to the fund in Ford’s memory. That would have made her very happy, her son said.

“She just wanted to make people smile.”

TODAY’S DONATIONS:
Happy Holidays! Portland Longshoremen’s Benevolent Society – ILA Local 861 $250
Merry Christmas from the Maine Podiatric Medical Association $200
In memory of Mike Woodhead $100
I wish happiness for all of Maine’s children. From Jo Radner $50
In memory of Donna Molinari who loved all children $100
Wayne & Nancy $75
Lucretia $100
Sharing the joy of Christmas! $1,000
Merry Christmas! $50
May your holidays be merry & peaceful. From Rhonda & Gary Perlmutter $100
William & Barbara Merten $100
Anonymous $100
Anonymous $50
Anonymous $100
Deanna & George Hunter $100
In memory of Beth & Joe Scherer $100
Claude & Cosmo Pratt $100
#12 of the 12 C’s – Stephen Carlin $120
Betsy Kremetz $500
#5 of the 12 C’s $120
In memory of Joseph Poulin $25
In memory of Janice Marie Muehle $25
In memory of Marilyn Marie Heald Legassey $25
In memory of Logan Temm $100
In memory of Mom & Dad, from #11 of the 12 C’s $120
Merry Christmas! $50
Lise Wagner $50
Karl Thompson $150
Anonymous $50
YEAR TO DATE: $25,236.60