The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Campaign is once again up and running in its annual effort to help local underprivileged children have a more festive Christmas.

to be higher than in previous years. More than 4,100 local children received 11,000 toys last year, according to Eric Miner, the 2012 Toys for Tots Campaign coordinator for Mount Olympus Detachment #897 of the Marine Corps League.

“We suspect the needs are up this year and anticipate providing for as many as 4,500 Clallam County children this Christmas,” Miner said.

The Toys for Tots program is collecting new, unwrapped toys through Dec. 18; the toys are then distributed as gifts to less-fortunate children throughout Clallam County.

Drop-boxes with the distinctive Toys for Tots logo are located at a variety of participating business and service organization locations across the Olympic Peninsula.

Donations also can be made at several upcoming promotional events.

To sign up to request a toy, find a Toys for Tots drop-box location, make an online tax deductible donation or  find an upcoming event, go to www.toysfortots.org.

The Toys for Tots program began in 1947 and is a Marine Corps Reserve function in communities that host a Reserve Unit. The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is a national, top-rated 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity and serves as the fundraising and support arm for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program.