Every year, WNDU teams up with the Marine Corps to give toys to thousands of kids around the area through the Toys for Tots program. And every year, Michiana steps up, even when times are tough.

This year was no exception. Volunteers collected toys at four locations – Benton Harbor, Warsaw, Elkhart, and South Bend - and the giving season was in full swing all around the area.

The totals are in, and we received 18,000 toys, for all four locations, and collected $6,000 dollars in donations. Michiana’s generosity will be making Christmas brighter for many area children this year.

"You're just like holding a toy that's going to go to a kid somewhere, where they're needy and they don't have that kind of stuff that we have,” said 6th grade volunteer Andrew Bryan. It's just, it's just a good feeling.”

"I would like to see every child with a toy for Christmas, and it's just a wonderful feeling you know, to help out in the community," said Bernice Mason, another volunteer.

An outpouring of gifts came in to our studios in South Bend, during our 16 Saturday Morning broadcast.

"It's breathtaking, all over,” said 1st Sgt. John Pettinato. “It's breathtaking, people are coming out. I bet everybody that's come and donated a toy, they probably really didn't have the money to donate that toy, but they got it to us.”

So many of us have holiday memories, and Harold Hall’s memories of the Great Depression compels him to donates woodwork at our Elkhart location every year.

"I still remember the days of the old depression, the Great Depression, and kids, most kids out there had little or nothing at all," said Harold.

But Saturday morning’s drive will help make sure there is a present under the tree for the children of this tough economy

"Give back, cause it's just a good thing to do, and you'll have a good feeling this Christmas," said Andrew.

If you missed Saturday morning’s drive, there’s still time to help out. There are collection boxes around the area through Christmas, and at our studios through this week.

For more information on the Toys for Tots program and drop-off locations, click here here .