CENTRAL FLORIDA — The annual Toys for Tots campaign is off and running across central Florida, and the U.S. Marines are back on the front lines of toy stores asking for new unwrapped toys.
"Whether it is cash donations or toys, unopened toys, anything helps. Everything helps," said Sgt. Daniel Furner of the U.S. Marine Corp.
9 Family Connection and Toys R Us are just two partners helping ensure that less fortunate children in central Florida have a happy holiday.
"Donations have gotten smaller so we want the community to get out there and do their part to bring joy to our customers," said Toys R Us representative John Locke.
Toys for Tots is asking for donations for kids up to 16 years old.
"You know, Minecraft, we have Transformers. All super hero stuff. The sky is the limit," said Locke. "Even donating things like bottles or formula, things like that; all that can go to help those less fortunate than us."
This year, Toys R Us is asking people who donate to take a selfie when they donate a new, unwrapped toy and post it on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with #playitforward, and they'll match your donation.
Because of the need this year, the Marines said they started collecting earlier and deployed more men and women to help spread Christmas cheer.
"It's very rewarding," Furner said.
For more information on Toys for Tots, click here.