With many people losing their jobs, and the economic crisis looming, it may be a lean Christmas for some children.
A number of service organizations are seeing a dramatic drop in toy donations and big increase in people who need help.
In years past, the toys were piled high at the toys for tots warehouse in Willow Grove, from the floor to the ceiling!
Now, there are more boxes than toys, and a lot of those boxes are empty.
"What we have seen a lot of is people losing their jobs who need help this year. Originally people who've donated in the past, and now they are asking for help. Obviously hard on everybody this year," said Cpl. James MacKenna of Toys for Tots.
The Marine Corps' Toys for Tots campaign is down substantially! At this time last year, the organization had already delivered 45,000 toys. This year, it’s a mere 12,000.
"I delivered the gifts to a family last year and it just tore me up broke my heart to see them, but they were so grateful that somebody did that for them," said Toys for Tots volunteer Jerry Corrento.
The stockings for kids program, a Philadelphia tradition sponsored by B101 radio station and NBC10 is also feeling the crunch says B101 Event Manager Tim Davis.
"Our big message right now is to donate a new unwrapped toy,” said Davis. “Knowing that you're not going to have a toy on Christmas morning, or seeing no Christmas tree, or nothing under the tree, that can be devastating."
The toys do not have to be expensive. Spending $10 to $15 can make a huge difference for a child this Christmas.
To find out more information about how to adjust your gratitude this holiday and donate toys to the two programs, use the links below: