COEUR d'ALENE - Mike Milligan has seen how the United States Marine Corps' Toys for Tots program makes a difference in people's lives each holiday season.

Like Santa, Milligan and other Toys for Tots volunteers seldom see the tykes who receive the gifts they distribute.

"Parents come in and walk out with tears in their eyes," said Milligan, in his eighth year as coordinator of the Kootenai County drive. "We know it puts a lot of smiles on kids' faces, but also on parents' faces on Christmas morning."

Last year, the local Toys for Tots drive gave out toys to 2,128 children.

The Kootenai County campaign has been sponsored each year since 1997 by the Marine Corps League's Pappy Boyington Detachment.

The national Toys for Tots program came together in 1947, when the wife of a Marine major in the Los Angeles area handed her husband a Raggedy Ann-style doll she had made, and asked him to deliver it to an organization that would give it to a child in need.

The major couldn't find an agency to take it.

"Being a good Marine Corps wife, she said, 'Why don't you start one?'" Milligan said.

The major, and other Marines, delivered 5,000 toys to needy children that Christmas.

That was 64 years ago. Since then, the Marine Corps Reserve estimates more than 400 million toys have been delivered to nearly 200 million kids nationwide through the program.

Milligan said here in Kootenai County they anticipate an increase in applications this year, because they have heard from Idaho Health and Welfare that the agency's caseload has increased by at least 10 percent.

Toys for Tots assists low-income families in Kootenai County who are receiving public assistance or whose income is 150 percent of the federal poverty level or less.

For a family of four, the 2011 federal poverty guideline is $22,350.

Toy collection boxes are already out in 150 locations throughout the county. The program accepts new and unwrapped toys for children through age 12.

Milligan said they always need gifts appropriate for children between 10- and- 12-years-old, and under 3.

"It's tough to keep the toys coming in for those age groups," Milligan said.

For those who need to request toys, the agency will be accepting applications beginning Dec. 3 through Dec. 19. at the Village at Riverstone, 2919 N. Main St.

The storefront center will be open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. All applications must be made in person.

All applicants must provide proof of Kootenai County residency and documentation proving custody of each child on application.

Applicants receiving public assistance must verify they are participating in any of the following programs: Medicaid, WIC, TAFI, active status Quest Card (food stamps), Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income, Military Active Duty.

"And if they don't have that info, they can go to the Health and Welfare office at 1120 Ironwood Drive (Coeur d'Alene) and ask for the appropriate document," Milligan said.

Low-income families not receiving public assistance must provide proof of income eligibility by bringing two pay stubs along with proof of residency and custody.

Information on the Kootenai County Toys for Tots campaign is available online, www.toysfortots.org

Cash donations are accepted on the website and can be made directly to the local campaign.