"We have more families requesting toys this year; these are families that used to be donating to us, so all around it's hurting," Cpl. Mackenna said.
Last year, more than 160,000 toys went out to 74,000 children.
The Marines say this year too often they're finding their collection barrels empty.
One bright spot can be found at Lance's Diner on Rt. 611, where toy donations are less than expected, but are consistently coming in.
"If everybody just reaches just a little deeper and not smoke a pack of cigarettes for a day, not hang out for one weekend and gives 5 or 10 dollars, or just one toy, it would help a lot," Haskell Carter, a Vietnam Vet volunteer, said.
It's the time of year to give.
If you'd like to make a toy or monetary donation click here: http://www.tftwillowgrove.org/
Volunteers will be distributing what they collect until December 23.
