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091216-O-0000X-562 PESCOPAGANO DI MONDRAGONE, Italy (Dec. 16, 2009) U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Denis Licona, left, assigned to the Command U.S. Naval Forces Europe/Africa, U.S. 6th Fleet staff, and Gunnery Sgt. Jarod Duke, assigned to the Commander, Strike Force NATO staff, help open a gift for a boy during a community relations event, at Istituto Piccola Casetta di Nazareth, a school for underprivileged children. Marines and Sailors donated gifts to 60 children as part of the Marine Corps Toys for Tots 2009 Christmas Drive. (Photo by Daniela Muto/Released) CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. The Marine Toys for Tots is in full swing and accepting donations to help make Christmas a bit brighter for children. There’s more than 200 collection boxes throughout Charlotte County but some are taking weeks to fill. Toys for Tots coordinator Erik Sandess says, “Because of the hurricane we do see an increase need.” There’s only about three weeks until Christmas and instead of tables overflowing with toys. Some are nearly bare. Organizers think it may be a case of donor fatigue. “I think a lot of that had to do with the hurricane. So many people came out of pocket to give money to give to different charities, to send to Texas, to send to Puerto Rico that i think some people in some respects are tapped out,” Sandess said. The organization is asking for volunteers for the warehouse, box delivery and toy collection from the boxes as well as for distribution. Visit the website for your local chapter Lee County | Charlotte County | Collier County Toys for Tots says they now need your help with more monetary and toy donations along with more volunteers to make sure every child registered has a gift to unwrap on christmas. Toys for Tots Foundation is the fund raising, funding and support organization for the US Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. The Foundation was created at the behest of the US Marine Corps and provides support in accordance with a Memorandum of Understanding with the Commander, Marine Forces Reserve, who directs the US Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. The Foundation has supported Toys for Tots since 1991. For more information, click here.