Carey Dill, local coordinator for Toys for Tots, received 60 phone calls Monday from families in need, foreshadowing another high demand year.

“We had 1,700 kids last year,” Dill said. “I’m afraid to even guess what we’ll have this year. You don’t know until it’s over.”

Dill, a volunteer for the Marine Corps Reserve charity, took over the top job in 2008 from John and Lou Olsen after working as their assistant. He called last year a learning experience and said he continues to learn this year.

“Every year is different and every year is a challenge,” Dill said.

As Christmas draws near, the organization needs to get the word to parents who need assistance to call 257-1077 as soon as possible — but no later than Dec. 17.

Volunteers need time to assess gift needs and then gather the final toy donations from collection boxes or buy more from cash donations.

The application process is simple.

According to Dill, applicants provide their names and the children’s names, gender and ages over the telephone. People may not put in requests on behalf of a needy family.

“They have to have custody of the children,” he said.

During the 63-year history of Toys for Tots, the charity has operated on the honor system, trusting that people picking up toys can’t afford to provide a Christmas for their children. Dill said that approach has worked for years.

Volunteers find that most people calling aren’t working or working for too little money to provide any extras at Christmas. Dill said he and others talking to parents try to screen them during their conversations, but no one is turned away.

Many parents receiving help are young, not many years past the cutoff age of 15 for children receiving gifts from Toys for Tots. 

“A lot of them are single parents,” Dill said. “Ninety percent of them are honest and need the help.”

During the telephone call, volunteers fill out a card with the family information that they use to put together boxes of toys at their space at the Gateway West Community Center. Dill said they separate the toys by ages on tables to make the process efficient.

The types of toys provided vary each year since people bring in toys and volunteers buy gifts in local stores with donated cash.

“It’s whatever comes across — whatever gets donated,” Dill said. “Basketballs, soccer balls, wooden toys — it’s never the same.”

Toys for Tots accepts donations of unwrapped toys as well as cash. Collection sites are located throughout the valley at businesses such as grocery stores and banks. A complete list is available by visiting toysfortots.org and following instructions to Montana and the Flathead Valley Web site.

According to Dill, the charity always needs donations of cash and toys. People may donate money easily online or write a check to Marine Toys for Tots Foundation and mail it to the same name at 18251 Quantico Gateway Drive, Triangle, VA 22172.

“We’re the only charity that gets 100 percent of the money back,” he said.

Cash sent to the foundation is deposited into an account for the Flathead Valley. Dill has a debit card to access the money on shopping trips to fill in gift gaps for boys or girls or age groups not covered by donated toys.

Dill said the final pickup from more than 30 toy collection boxes across the valley takes place on Dec. 17 and 18. Half the parents pick up their box of toys on Dec. 19 and the other half on the 20th.

“We like to give them out a few days before Christmas so they have time to wrap them,” he said.

Dill, a Vietnam-era Marine, said the Reserve has had a Toys for Tots operation in the Flathead Valley for more than 20 years. He continues to find the work rewarding, thinking about the youngsters waking up to toys on Christmas morning.

He has the additional satisfaction of seeing the joy of parents as they pick up the boxes.

“Most of them are thrilled to death,” Dill said.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.