Toys for Tots opened their doors today for registration and after seeing a large turnout last year, they’re expecting even more this year.
Thursday, Oct.8, 2012 was the first day people could register their children for Toys for Tots. Parents made sure they got in line early.
“It’s been busy, people been lined up 2 hours before we even opened,” says Sergeant Matt Dorsey, coordinator for Toys for Tots in the Quad Cities.
It wasn’t surprising to him considering last year they had 4,000 families and 9,000 children registered last year.
Volunteer Gerri Murdock says she has already gotten a lot of calls, " I've received more calls this year than before about 'this is my first time, I don't have a job, I don’t know what to do.’"
Toys for Tots received a lot of donations last year and is hoping more come pouring in this year.
"We want to make sure they’re new toys, unwrapped, try to stay away from stuffed animals, military themed type toys,” says Dorsey.
Tammy Smith signed her kids up on Thursday. She says her kids look forward to Christmas, “They like being able to open presents and just their expressions on their face make it worthwhile."
Families like Tammy’s say they don’t know what they would do without Toys for Tots.
"My child probably wouldn't get a Christmas this year,” says Smith.
Dorsey is hoping the community will step in and help again
"Quad cities has been great every year, I’m sure we're going to be successful again this year."
Toys for Tots is open every Thursday, Friday and Saturday for parents to register their kids. They have until December eighth to register them. They’re excepting donations until December 10th.