NATCHEZ — Toys for Tots has had a presence in Natchez and Adams County for the past three or four years.

The organization has helped an estimated 650 children ages 2 to 16 each year at Christmas by collecting toys for them at Christmas.

Toys for Tots was originated by the U.S. Marine Corps, and the Natchez Adams County division works under the umbrella of the national organization, said volunteer Loraine Griffin.

“All the toys we collect in this area are distributed in this area,” Griffin said.

Toys for Tots collection boxes have been stationed at area merchants for several weeks and residents have generously filled the boxes with toys, Griffin said.

“We have an applications process we go through earlier in the year,” Griffin said of the sign up process for children in need of presents for Christmas. “We are now preparing to bag the toys, and we basically have our (toy) count. If we have enough toys left over we will distribute those to others.”

Valerie Quinn, Natchez Adams County Toys for Tots coordinator, said Toys for Tots takes donations year around and always has a need for monetary donations.

Donations can be made to the Natchez Adams County Toys for Tots online at natchez-ms.toysfortots.org.

Checks can be made out to Toys for Tots Natchez and mailed to 18251 Quantico Gateway Drive, Triangle VA 22172.

For more information, call 601-807-0188 or 601-807-3290.

“We thank the community and all the businesses for their great support, because without them we could not do this,” Quinn said.