Toys for Tots in need of toys

NORMANDY PARK, Wash. — At a warehouse in Normandy Park, Marines unloaded a van full of toys collected for low income families. They were coming off a nearby semi in pallets. The inventory included soccer balls, doll houses and board games. All of them have to be sorted by hand, for distribution to boys and girls of all ages.

"It is a lot of work," said Staff Sergeant Carlos Arroyo.

Last year in King County, 29,000 kids were on the receiving end.

"When we start handing out the toys and we get to see the smile on the childrens' faces, it always makes it worth it," said Arroyo.

Contributions this holiday season have been boosted by a major toy manufacturer. The Hasbro company donated 12,000 toys.

But even with Hasbro's help, Toys for Tots has only collected half the number of toys it collected in 2012.

You can help close that gap, by bringing new, unwrapped toys to the KIRO 7 studios Friday for our Toy Drive day. Join us at the KIRO 7 studios, 2807 Third Avenue, Seattle, 98121 from 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. You can always bring toys to the KIRO studios weekdays as well through Dec. 15.

Time is running out.

The Marines will start distributing the toys to low income families next Monday. It will give toys to kids who might otherwise not get a gift on their Christmas.

If you can't make it to KIRO 7, you can donate toys at these official donation sites through Dec. 15.  Still too busy?  You can donate a toy from your computer.  It's easy!  Find out how here.

Learn more about Toys for Tots here.

KIRO