Another sign that the holiday season is upon us.....The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots drive is underway again.

Jessica Forres reports…

TOYS2-FORRESmp3'>LISTEN TO THE STORY THAT AIRED ON WAMU 88.5 FM

Lance Corporal Mindy Sanford and three other Marines are collecting toys at a mall in Bethesda, Maryland...

WE STAND HERE AND MAKE OUR PRESENCE KNOWN. WE DON'T TRY TO MAKE SOMEONE DROP A TOY OFF. WE ALSO COLLECT FIVE DOLLAR DONATIONS WHICH A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DONATING THAN DROPPING OFF A TOY.

She says the toys will be distributed to local needy children to brighten their holidays. Donna Sudano of Rockville is donating a teddy bear....

I WANT TO HELP OUT CHILDREN THAT MAYBE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING FOR CHRISTMAS. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE SOMETHING TO OPEN UP.

Local Marines say they've collected almost 100,000 toys.....so far.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

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The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Holiday Drive is underway and as Jessica Forres reports...past and present members of the Corps are doing their part to make the holidays bright for thousands of children...

TOYS1-FORRESmp3'>LISTEN TO THE STORY THAT AIRED ON WAMU 88.5 FM

Four uniformed Marines stand at the entrance of the Build-a Bear Workshop inside the Westfield Mall in Bethesda, Maryland.Lance Corporal Mindy Sanford points to a cardboard box filled with stuffed animals and other toys that people have dropped off throughout the day...

THESE ARE BUILD-A BEAR BEARS ACTUALLY AND A LOT OF PEOPLE COME IN AND DROP OFF THEIR BUILD-BEAR THEY DON"T HAVE TO BUT THEY DO IT. THEY ARE UNWRAPPED NEW TOYS. THESE TOYS RIGHT HERE GO TO THE CHILDREN IN NEED FOR CHRISTMAS.

Donna Sudano is building a bear to donate to Toys For Tots....

THEY HAVE YOU STEP ON A PEDAL WHILE THEY GET THE STUFFING GOING AND THEY PUT A LITTLE HEART IN THERE AND YOU MAKE A WISH AND THEN YOU JUST COME BACK OVER HERE TO THE DRESSING STATION

She says the effort and the cost are worth it..

I WOULD RATHER GIVE UP SOMETHING SO THAT A CHILD COULD HAVE SOMETHING TO OPEN UP CHRISTMAS DAY.

Lance Corporal Sanford agrees...

WHEN THEY RECEIVE A TOY THEY ACTUALLY JUMP UP AND DOWN AND THEN THEY GO PLAY WITH THEIR FRIENDS… IT'S REALLY, REALLY AWESOME.

So far, she says local Marines have collected 97-thousand toys.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News