Outpourings of toys and funds from county residents have always supported the Marine Toys for Tots Program. This year, in addition to the generous donations, Gunnery Sgt. Chad Krumpe is asking for volunteers.

“The situation is that 80% of our regular volunteers are over the age of 60,” said Krumpe, a reservist with the Bantam Marine Corps League Detachment 743 and the program’s coordinator.

The program is underway and benefits children from Butler and Clarion counties. The deadline for recipients to register is Monday. Those interested can visit butler-pa.toysfortots.org.

The website is also a place to become a campaign sponsor, find a toy drop site or donate online. The boxes to collect the toys were distributed in early November.

Donations of toys will be collected from businesses Dec. 7.

Volunteers will be needed to help collect the toys, sort them by age group at the program warehouse at the Clearview Mall and assist families when they come receive the gifts Dec. 9 to 13. People can also register to volunteer at butler-pa.toysfortots.org.

The program was started in 1947 and, according to the website, has distributed 584 million toys to 265 million children.