TAMPA, Fla. —  The US Marine Corps annual Toys for Tots drive is in full-swing as Christmas quickly approaches.

At the U.S. Marine Corps training facility on Gandy Boulevard, thousands of toys from across the Tampa area are coming in daily.

What You Need To Know

  • Toys for Tots Tampa says it will collect toys for 20,000 families and 40,000 kids this year
  • The U.S. Marine Corps says it hasn't noticed a drop in donations this year as a result of hurricanes this fall

  • Toys for Tots is currently collecting and sorting toys to be delivered beginning Dec. 14

  • Local community organizations have employed novel ideas to increase toy donations

The Toys for Tots lead Sgt. Nicholas Cimino says Marines and volunteers are quickly working to make sure kids in need have a special Christmas.

“On hand right now we have anywhere between 20 to 30 Marines on top of the various sailors and Marines’ families, wives, husbands, kids, anyone that has been willing to volunteer,” Cimino said. “We open doors — come in, we’ll put you to work.”

The U.S. Marine Corps says it hasn’t noticed a significant drop in the number of toys being donated despite two hurricanes this fall that left thousands of families with damage and financial strains.

At Heritage Isles Golf and Country Club, a weekend golf tournament deployed a novel idea to help increase the number of toys it collects for the drive.

A 4-man scramble Toys for Tots golf tournament asked golfers to bring a toy for donation, and in turn, their team would get an extra mulligan or free shot to help them score lower.

Marine Master Sgt. Daniel Martin played in the tournament, and collected a U-Haul truck full of toys after the outing.

“The willingness to give and the appreciation for Toys for Tots from this community alone brings new light to individuals like myself toward the organization,” Martin said.

Toys for Tots will begin delivering gifts on Dec. 14.

The U.S. Marine Corps expects to help as many as 20,000 families across Hillsborough County, including 40,000 kids.

View more information on donating or helping with Toys for Tots.