Beaufort County’s Toys for Tots program made a big difference this year in the lives of area children who are underprivileged. It wouldn’t have happened if not for the outflowing of support from community residents and organizations.

In Beaufort County, 750 children needed toys for Christmas, with another 250 children throughout Washington, Tyrrell and Hyde counties also in need. Through tremendous support, 1,000 children in the region awoke on Christmas Day to presents under the tree.

Ninety boxes of toys, with approximately 30 toys in each box, were collected, according to program administrators.

However, county coordinator for the program, Rich Morin, said there is always room for improvement. First, Morin thinks there are more children who could be eligible for the program, if only families would come forward and apply. Also, Morin hopes to name a retired, active or reservist Marine to serve as the spokesperson for the local initiative.

The program was successful this year, and that was mainly due to the amount of support given from community organizations such as the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, which was instrumental in collecting and unloading toys. Another organization, Washington (noon) Rotary, provided the boxes to collect the toys. The Beaufort/Hyde Partnership for Children was vital in carrying out the application and vetting process for families that applied. Staff and congregational members of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church served by sorting and storing collected toys.

Many other organizations and residents did their part by hosting toy drives, collecting toys, buying toys and donating toys. This year, donations were at an all-time high, well exceeding the needs of the county’s underprivileged children.

What the program and, ultimately, the community did to make this possible was responsible for putting smiles on these children’s faces. It made many a child’s Christmas.