Toys are sliding into the Toys for Tots Hoover warehouse.
Toys for Tots coordinator and Marine Sgt. Frankie Toledo said, "so as of right now, we're sorting toys so we can get an actual count to how many toys we have per kid that way we can gage what we need."
Marines are counting and sorting donations but the toys they have is not enough.
Toledo has been with Toys for Tots for five years.
"The need is higher, we're already well surpassed last year's amount of children we're serving. Last year, we served eight to nine thousand. This year it's ten thousand plus," said Toledo.
That's upwards of two thousand more children than last year.
He said, "we have 3,085 family requests and 74 non-profit requests for their kids."
Higher inflation and COVID-19 have played its part.
Toledo said, "I believe now that the fear of covid is kind of going away and more families who were in need last year that were afraid to come out are coming out again."
So what donations are needed?
Toys for infants, children 1-2 years of age, and teenagers 11-14 years of age.
"Particularly for the teens, we look for something they can utilize everyday like backpacks. If they can headphones and stuff like that" he said.
Bicycles and board games are also needed.
Bottom line, he said more toys are needed so children and families can have something to open Christmas Day.
Toledo said, "we're more than willing to help them."
Donations are not accepted at their Hoover warehouse.
You can find drop-off locations by clicking here.
ABC33/40 is a proud partner of Toys for Tots.