Toys for Tots demand outpaces supply

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Consider this a little nudge for all those who'll be out Christmas shopping over the next week.

So far the Marines have only collected about a third of the toys they need for the local Toys for Tots effort this year. 

And time is also running out for registering to receive gifts from the Marines and their generous friends.

That deadline is Tuesday with registration taking place 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday at the Alamosa Community Center, 6900 Gonzales Road SW.

As far as donating new unwrapped toys, there are dozens of collection boxes around the metro area that still need to be filled.

Organizers say they've had moderate success so far with this year's collection still need more toys for all the families they anticipate will be signing up.

At this point, they have about 2,500 families registered with about one to three kids each.

"What I'd like to ask is for everybody to kind of dig deep this year, reach in their pockets, reach, go to the toy stores bring some toys to us and then volunteer to be part of the distribution as well so that we can be successful," Marine Corps Reserve Maj. Brian Cillessen said.

You have until Monday, Dec. 10, to drop off toys.

And for those who want to donate money to the Toys for Tots campaign, there will be a call center at the Albuquerque Police Department next Thursday sponsored by KRQE.

The big toy drive will be Monday, Dec. 10, in the American Home Furnishings parking lot at Carlisle and Menaul boulevards in northeast Albuquerque.

You can drop toys and cash there during the day.