Toys for Tots needs your help

The South-Central Toys for Tots campaign needs your help this holiday season.

While the campaign is working diligently to help families in Whitley, Laurel, Knox and McCreary counties ensure children have gifts for Christmas, the campaign needs volunteers, toy donations and money.

As of Nov. 15, the campaign has 8,244 children registered to receive toys. That is an increase of more than 2,500 children from last year.

One week remains to register, so the number is expected to grow.

Greg and Cathy Sims coordinate the campaign.

Greg Sims said the campaign has more than 200 donation boxes throughout the four counties, but many of the boxes are only partially full at best.

Children typically receive four toys, three books and stocking stuffers through the program, said Greg Sims, but at the moment, children are only receiving two toys because of the low supply.

At the Williamsburg warehouse, toys are sorted into boxes based on gender and age.

Several of the boxes are sitting empty because there have been so few donations received.

Greg Sims said infants to 2 years old and 11 to 14 years old are the age ranges that are currently lacking. Male toys are also more plentiful than female toys.

Toys for Tots is sponsored by the Marine Corps League.

The South-Central Toys for Tots campaign is supported by the J.C. Paul Detachment of the Marine Corps League.

Greg Sims is the Commandant.

To volunteer or donate, visit, southcentral-ky.toysfortots.org.

Registration to receive toys is still open, but not for long. Registration will end on Nov. 20. Visit southcentral-ky.toysfortots.org to register.

For more information about the program, email toysfortotssouthernky@yahoo.com.