The custom began with Col. William L. Hendericks finding “Toys for Tots” after his wife, Diane, asked him to deliver a handcrafted doll to any organization that would give it to a less fortunate child for the holidays. Hendericks found that no such group existed, and at his wife’s persistence, he decided to create his own organization.

In 1947 Hendericks and a group of reserve Marines in Los Angeles collected and distributed 5,000 toys to deserving children. The turnout was such a success that the Marine Corps adopted Toys for Tots in 1948 and expanded it to a nationwide campaign.

Since then, active and reserve Marines collect and distribute new unwrapped toys from October to December each year.

“It is important to the (Marines),” said Gunnery Sgt. Ricardo Villanueva, San Diego county coordinator for the Toys for Tots campaign. “The Marines have a willingness to make a difference in a kid’s life. They want to show them that someone cares about them,” he said.

All donations are appreciated, but the campaign is currently in high demand of toys for children between the ages of 12 to 14, said Villanueva, supply chief,  4th Tank Battalion, 4th Marine Division.

“The last day of collecting toys is December 18,” he said. “This gives us enough time to evenly distribute the toys to organizations and communities by December 25.”

This Marine Corps tradition has brought holiday cheer to children year after year and Marines plan to keep the custom alive.

Those interested in donating toys to the campaign can look up listed drop off locations on www.toysfortots.org. The Web site also provides information on volunteering and donating monetary contributions to the campaign.