PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. — Local 10's Big Bus Toy Express is back for the fourth consecutive year.
The bus is making its way across South Florida Friday, collecting new, unwrapped toys for the Toys for Tots program.
This year, Local 10 News hopes to make the holiday season bigger and brighter for children in need.
U.S. Marines are also always proud to serve, and when it comes to the holidays, they go the extra mile to make sure no child goes without a gift.
"Every toy, any toy is very helpful. It's very appreciated," U.S. Marine Sgt. Renzo Ordinola said.
For more than a century, the Marine Corps Reserve's Toys for Tots program has been in active duty.
South Florida is one of its largest chapters, helping roughly 140 local nonprofits distribute some 50,000 toys.
Christine Cave picked up toys this week on behalf of her church.
"We are blessed to be able to come every year to get toys for our kids in our area," she said.
Local 10's Kristi Krueger and Todd Tongen are joining forces with the Marines Friday to help children in need.
"We are super thankful for the Big Bus because it's a huge push for us," Ordinola said. "I believe last year it was 30 percent of all the toys we collected in those three months -- October through December."
Last year, Local 10 viewers donated 15,000 new toys -- enough to fill our double-decker bus and a 27-foot truck.
But donations this year are coming in slow, especially for toddlers and teens.
"Right now, we actually need for 0 to 5, for boys and girls," Ordinola said.
With the public's help, we can pick up the pace and make this holiday season a very merry one for all boys and girls.
The following locations are part of our Big Bus Toy Express schedule. Make a note of the times and come out to make a difference.
Miami-Dade County
6-7 a.m. TOYS 'R' US - KENDALL STORE #8715 8789 SW 117TH AVENUE MIAMI, FL 33183 305-273-9311
7:30-8:30 a.m. WALGREENS - DORAL STORE #3211 9675 NW 41ST STREET DORAL, FL 33178 305-406-3760
9-10 a.m. ADRIENNE ARSHT CENTER 1300 BISCAYNE BLVD. MIAMI, FL 33132 786-468-2000
10:30-11:30 a.m. WALGREENS – AVENTURA STORE#4955 18665 BISCAYNE BLVD. AVENTURA, FL 33180 305-466-2844
Broward County
Noon-1 p.m. WALGREENS – PEMBROKE PINES STORE #4324 15911 PINES BOULEVARD PEMBROKE PINES, FL 33027 954-450-8896
1:30-2:30 p.m. WALGREENS – DAVIE STORE #4003 3015 SOUTH UNIVERSITY DRIVE DAVIE, FL 33328 954-475-9222
3-4 p.m. TOYS R US - PLANTATION STORE #8706 8101 WEST BROWARD BLVD. PLANTATION, FL 33324 954-474-1404
4:30-5:30 p.m. IKEA –SUNRISE 151 NW 136 AVENUE SUNRISE, FL 33325 954-838-9282, EXT.1336
6-7 p.m. TOYS R US - CORAL SPRINGS STORE #6755 6001 WEST SAMPLE ROAD CORAL SPRINGS, FL 33067 954-341-2583
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