Volunteers oversee preparation of toys and canned food. The Pilot/Jef Hatch

The local Toys for Tots program, sponsored by the Marine Corps League Detachment 578, is in dire need of toys.

“The economic crunch is being heavily felt by the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program this year. Our collection boxes are bringing in only a fraction of what is needed to provide gifts to the needy children in the community,” Bill Cochran, coordinator for the program for Curry and Del Norte counties wrote in a statement.

In past years, the organization has been able to give children a couple of toys and a stocking stuffer. This year, Cochran said, each child will be lucky to get one toy and a stocking stuffer.

 Cochran expects to receive 2,000 requests this year from Curry and Del Norte counties. 

“Our need this year is tremendous,” he said. “Can you imagine a Christmas happening to you and not getting anything?”

Cash and toy donations can be made up to Dec. 22.

Those who want to make a financial donation to the nonprofit organization’s project may write checks made out to Toys for Tots and send them to W.H. Cochran Toys for Tots, 161 Winchuck River Road, Brookings, OR 97415. 

New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at Fred Meyer or the Brookings Elks Lodge.

The nationwide Toys for Tots drive got its start in 1947 in Los Angeles. Today, it is the Marine Corps’ premier community action program with more than 15 million toys distributed across the country during the past 10 years.