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Since 1947, the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves has been collecting and distributing toys to children who might otherwise go without gifts or receive very few gifts at Christmastime.

Until 1979, the Marines collected both new and used toys, but since 1980 have collected only new toys for children, and in 1991, the nonprofit Marine Toys for Tots Foundation was created to oversee the rapidly growing gift program.

Over the 62 years of the Toys for Tots Program, Marines have distributed more than 400 million toys to more than 188 million needy children, and area businesses and residents have been there to do their share.

Below is a list of the organizations that will serve as drop-off sites for this year's Toys for Tots program.

Attleboro Teixeira Financial Group - Located at 228 County St., for the fifth year, 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.

Foxboro

Massachusetts State Police Department - For the 25th year, the state police are partnering with the Marine Corps for the administration of this program in Massachusetts.

To support the effort with gifts, area residents can bring new, non-violent, unwrapped toys for boys and girls ranging in age from newborn to 18 to the Massachusetts State Police barracks in Wrentham or any other location in the state.

To support the effort with monetary donations, make out to "Toys for Tots" and mail to Massachusetts State Police, Toys for Tots Coordinator, 124 Acton Street, Maynard, MA 01754.

Last year, the Massachusetts State Police collected about 57,000 toys and raised more than $8,000, which were provided to area charities. Once again, difficult economic conditions leave many families in need of assistance this holiday season.

The Massachusetts State Police are grateful to the public and the media for their support of the "Toys for Tots" program over the last quarter-century, and offer thanks in advance for continued support this year.

For more information, contact State Police Office of Media Relations at 508-820-2623 days or 508-820-2121 nights and weekends.

Guardian Self Storage - The business also will serve as an official toy collection site in Foxboro for the Toys for Tots program, with drop-off sites at its facilities at 106 Washington St. (Route 1) in Foxboro and at 599 Washington St. in Franklin. Donations will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays through Dec. 15. For more information, call 508-543-8481.

Mansfield The Rotary Club of Mansfield - With the help of its major sponsor, Mansfield Jeep Chrysler of Mansfield, the Rotarians are conducting their 17th annual 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 56,800 toys since 1993. Last year alone, the Rotary Club collected more than 3,500 new toys, bicycles and scooters.

Toys can be dropped off at: At the drive's major sponsor Mansfield Jeep Chrysler, as well as Mansfield Municipal Airport, Mansfield Bank, North Easton Savings Bank, Mansfield Town Hall, Roche Brothers Supermarket, Mansfield Stop & Shop, Mansfield Post Office, The Old Country Store, Holiday Inn Mansfield, HarborOne Credit Union and the Mansfield Public Library.

All toys should be new, unwrapped and dropped off by Monday, Dec. 14. Large gifts can be dropped off directly to Mansfield Jeep Chrysler at 91 Chauncy St. Monetary donations 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 The Toys for Tots Hotline at 508-339-3400.

North Attleboro

Noble Hardware and Plumbing - Located at 605 East Washington St., the business will serve as a drop-off site for the Toys for Tots program this year, taking over for Osborne Nursery and Materials in Plainville, which served as a drop-off site for the last 12 years. Those wishing to drop off gifts for the program can do so from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays. For more information, including the deadline to drop off gifts, call 508-695-7888.

Plainville

Plainville Fire Department - The department will serve as a drop-off site for the Toys for Tots program for the first year. Those wishing to drop off toys can do so during 24 hours a day, seven days a week until Dec. 12. Toys collected after Dec. 12 will be stored away until next year's toy campaign. For more information, call 508-695-5252.

Wrentham

Absolute Health Chiropractic - For the eighth consecutive year, the business 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. Monday through Friday through Dec. 24. In the spirit of giving, Absolute Health Chiropractic encourages everyone to take advantage of this 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 Boulay can be reached by phone or fax at 508-222-0993 or by e-mail at janette.boulay@gmail.com.