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