Preparing for Toys for Tots Marathon weekend

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- For the past fewer weeks, Mercedes Jones has been helping wrong this warehouse 5 days a week.

"There is simply a batch of committee games. Just a batch of worldly for them to bash connected break, sports sets.," Jones said.

This is her 9th twelvemonth volunteering with Toys for Tots.

It's been a labour of emotion since she was hooked during her precise archetypal giveaway.

" The kids are like, 'Are we getting toys? Is this truly free?' and the parents saying 'yeah, let's get successful line.' It goes from there. They are truthful happy, the parents and kids," Jones said.

By her side, her girl and champion friend.

All of them enjoying vacation euphony portion sorting done thousands of donated toys, knowing they'll each extremity up successful the hands of excited section children precise soon.

"It's our community, truthful it feels other special," Jones said.

RELATED: How your tin enactment this year's Toys for Tots Marathon Weekend

For 12 years, Jessica Montano has coordinated the Fresno and Madera Toys for Tots Chapter.

A challenging but rewarding responsibility. She says this year, the request is adjacent greater.

"Our request has gone from 50,000 to 60,000 kids for this area, truthful that is simply a large jump," Montano said.

Toys for Tots serves children ages 0 to 12.

Montano says it's the smiles, choky hugs, and tears of joyousness connected the faces of families who don't person the means during trying times that marque each the effort worthy it.

"To cognize that a kid, they recognize that idiosyncratic is reasoning of them, idiosyncratic is moving for them truthful that they tin person thing that is theirs during Christmas Time is worthy each the different stuff," Montano said.

Montano says they ever announcement much children ages 8 to 12 and asks the assemblage to donate with that property radical successful mind, if possible.

Another situation this twelvemonth was getting their boxes successful connected clip and printed truthful you mightiness spot them look a small different, but they inactive clasp the aforesaid meaning.

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