For more than 60 years, the Marine Corps Reserve has conducted a nationwide Toys for Tots program through which millions of toys are delivered to millions of children in need, and this year is no exception.

The primary goal of the program is "to deliver, through a shiny new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to needy youngsters that will motivate them to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders," according to the Marines.

In support of that effort and tradition, several organizations within The Sun Chronicle readership area will be doing their part to help the Marines reach their goal, according to information received by the newspaper:

ATTLEBOROFor the third year, Teixeira Financial Group, at 228 County St., will serve as a drop-off site for the Toys for Tots program. Donations can be made from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Special drop-off times also can be arranged by calling 508-431-1099.

MANSFIELDThe Rotary Club of Mansfield, for the 16th year, with the help of its major sponsor, Stop & Shop of Mansfield, is conducting its Toys for Tots Drive to collect and deliver toys to disadvantaged area children. More than 70 local businesses and groups participate in the drive by hosting colorfully decorated boxes that are used as receptacles for collecting donated toys. Through the efforts of these businesses and groups, the Rotary Club has collected more than 53,500 toys since 1993.

Last year alone, the Rotary Club collected more than 3,500 new toys, bicycles and scooters. To support the drive, people are asked to drop off new and unwrapped toys at one of the many collection sites, some of which are Mansfield Jeep Chrysler, Mansfield Municipal Airport, Mansfield Bank, Mansfield Town Hall, North Easton Savings Bank, Roche Brothers Supermarket, Mansfield Stop & Shop, Mansfield Post Office, The Old Country Store, Holiday Inn Mansfield, the Mansfield Public Library and Nations Heritage Federal Credit Union.

The deadline to drop off toys is Dec. 11, and on Friday, Dec. 12, teams of Mansfield Rotarians will collect and sort the boxes of toys. Half of the toys collected are picked up by the local Marines, and the other half will be delivered to Mansfield's West Side Benevolent Circle and Norton Fire Department gift drives for distribution to local families and their children.

Monetary donations also are accepted and can be mailed to the Rotary Club of Mansfield at P.O. Box 251, Mansfield, MA 02048. Make checks payable to the Rotary Club of Mansfield and specify Toys for Tots Campaign. For more information, call 508-339-3400.

King Aviation - On Sunday, Dec. 7 at Mansfield Municipal Airport, King Aviation will hold its first annual Fly-in from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to collect donations for Toys for Tots. Donors will be given a 10-cent fuel discount, 20 percent off an Intro-flight and light refreshments. For those not able to attend Sunday's event, King Aviation will be collecting toys until Thursday, Dec, 11. For more information, call 508-339-3624.

PLAINVILLE

Osborne Nursery & Materials, Route 1 in Plainville, for the 12th year, will serve as an authorized drop-off site for the Toys for Tots program. In continuing this holiday tradition, owner Eric Osborne invites area residents to help bring a smile to a child's face by donating a new, unwrapped toy to the Toys for Tots drive by Dec. 14.

In addition to its on site drop-off bin and several out-of-area drop-off bins, Osborne Nursery has organized collection sites at the following local locations:

Foxboro - Guardian Self-Storage and ReMax Real Estate Center.

Mansfield - Kirley Masonry. North Attleboro - Dr. Nicole LaRue Chiropractor, North Attleboro Elks, North Attleboro and Attleboro Falls post offices, Nobel Hardware, Free Press, Rockland Federal Credit Union, Early Learning Center, G.I. Joe's, Darins & Toes, Benny's and ReMax Real Estate Center.

Plainville - Dale Medical, Hunter Properties, Plainville Library, Plainville Town Hall, Sovereign Bank, Hill Crest Academy, Plainville Methodist Church, Plainville Post Office, Foxboro Federal Savings, Stop & Shop, and Plainville Chamber of Commerce.

Wrentham - Wrentham Congregational Church, Brenda Roberts.

Other local businesses interested in having a drop-off box at their location can call Osborne Nursery at 508-695-8272.

WRENTHAM

Absolute Health Chiropractic, for the seventh consecutive year, will serve as an official drop-off site for Toys for Tots. Unwrapped holiday gifts can be dropped off at 46 South St. office from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays through Dec. 24. In the spirit of giving, Absolute Health Chiropractic encourages everyone to take advantage of the opportunity to help the children of the community enjoy the holiday season.

"Experience the true joy of the holiday season by bringing a smile to the face of a child," said Dr. Chris McKenna of Absolute Health Chiropractic. "Our goal this year is to gather over 850 toys."

For more information, call 508-384-0944.

Janette Sears can be reached by phone or fax at 508-222-0993 or by e-mail at janette.boulay@gmail.com.