Toys For Tots In Full Swing In Carlsbad: Dates To Know

CARLSBAD, CA — While you're checking off holiday gifts for family members, don't forget the kids who aren't on anyone's shopping list and pick up some items for the Toys for Tots campaign in Carlsbad.

Sponsored by the Marine Corps Reserves, Toys for Tots is organized in North San Diego County and Southwest Riverside County by Staff Sgt. Carlos Cedeño and in San Diego County by Sgt. Justin Pascual.

Last year, through the North San Diego County and Southwest Riverside County campaign, 113,312 toys were distributed to 100,038 children who might not otherwise have gotten any Christmas gifts. Through the San Diego County campaign, 109,927 toys were distributed to 100,302 children. Nationally, about 625 million toys were handed out to 291 million kids.

Besides dropping off new, unwrapped toys at several drop-off locations, people who want to support the campaign can also donate online. Here's what you need to know:

North San Diego County and Southwest Riverside County Toys for Tots campaign

• Boxes and promotional items are available for pick up. Boxes are distributed from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday at the headquarters at 100 Nelson Road at Camp Pendleton.
• Dec. 22 is the last day of the toy distribution.
• The campaign will stop accepting toys and donations on Dec. 22. Toys collected after Dec. 23 will go toward next year's campaign.

San Diego County Toys for Tots campaign

• Boxes and promotional items are available for pick up. Boxes are distributed from 8-11 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the warehouse at Naval Marine Corps Reserve Center at 9955 Pomerado Road in San Diego.
• Dec. 15 is the last day of the toy distribution.
• Toy donations after Dec. 15 must be delivered to local fire stations. They will not be accepted on base.
• The campaign will stop accepting toys and donations on Dec. 26.

The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is an IRS-recognized nonprofit public charity created in 1991. The foundation, created in 1991, uses 97 percent of every donation to buy toys for children in need.