Toys for Tots needs volunteers - Dallas News | myFOXdfw.com

It's hard to believe, but it's time to start thinking about Toys for Tots.  

Fox 5, Publix and the U.S. Marine Corps are teaming up once again to give thousands of needy children a brighter holiday. But right now, it's not just toys we need.

Toys for Tots officials expect a greater need for toys this year. It's not easy putting smiles on the faces of thousands of children -- that's why they say they need you to volunteer.

At this Norcross warehouse, volunteers are doing what's been done for 65 years.

"The mission still remains the same: to make sure children have toys for Christmas," said Sgt. Lamar Miller.

Every year, local Marines accept new, unwrapped toys to distribute to local kids on Christmas Eve. And while the piles of dolls and trucks already collected look impressive, there are twice as many empty bins that need to be filled. But it's not just toys the marines say they need this time of year, it's volunteers.

"Clubs, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, church clubs, families, friends, reservists, active duty, recruiters -- we need them all," said Miller.

Toys for Tots is run completely by volunteers. From now until Christmas, they'll be working every weekend to get toys collected and sorted. A tough mission for these combat Marines, but they say it will all be worth it.

"It's going to be a hard task but it's going to get done," said Miller.

There are a number of ways you can donate to Toys for Tots, but if you'd like to volunteer, visit: www.toysfortots.org.