It is a daunting task to distribute hundreds of thousands of toys to children, but Capt. Eric Young and his Marines said they are up to the mission.

They always are.

And that is good news to thousands of underprivileged children, primarily in Allegheny County, who will receive toys thanks to those who donate to Post-Gazette's Goodfellows Toy Fund.

Young is commanding officer of Company B, a military police unit stationed at the U.S. Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Readiness Center in North Versailles. Part of the unit's mission is the annual Marine Corps Toys for Tots campaign, an undertaking so vast it requires military-style logistical planning and precision.

Although this is Young's first campaign here with Toys for Tots and the Goodfellows, he is assisted by 1st Sgt. Martin Hughes of Penn Hills, a four-year veteran of the program, and other members of the company.

The Goodfellows program is funded by donations from Post-Gazette readers. The need has never been greater because of economic problems in the Pittsburgh area, including the aftermath of widespread flooding in September.

Hughes uses donations to buy age-specific toys for thousands of children, newborns up to 12-year-olds. And you thought your Christmas shopping list was big? He gets a big bang for each buck, thanks to savvy shopping skills and the generosity of department and discount stores and a New England distributor that supplies toys at deep discounts to charitable organizations.

Young, Hughes and their team of can-do MPs are firm believers in an adage often seen posted on military bulletin boards: Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance.

Yes sir and yes ma'am, they already have started sending toys to groups that will distribute them to needy children.

"We've already emptied this place out three times, and we're getting ready to do it again," said a smiling Staff Sgt. Michael Palarino of Peters, as he looked out on several thousand square feet of space in the old Eastland Mall, lined with precision rows of chest-high cardboard boxes filled with toys.

By mid-November, the Marines had filled 50 orders for local organizations, he said. The smallest order served 25 children; the largest order was for almost 1,000 youngsters. The organizations pick them up at the old mall in North Versailles.

The holding area for the toys is a large room with high yellow walls, humming fluorescent lights and a floor that has seen a lot of duty.

Working in the room may qualify as cold-weather training for the Marines because the warehouse isn't heated. But Young, Hughes, Palarino and Lance Cpls. Daniel Rider of State College, Adam Samide of Latrobe and Bryce Meiners of New Brighton weren't complaining. The space is free, and portable heaters help out when it's really cold.

The toy program is a team effort in many ways.

With the exception of $5,000 used to buy warm winter clothing for needy children this year, every dollar Post-Gazette readers donate to the Goodfellows Toy Fund goes to buy toys. The state Department of Welfare helps "to best determine" many of the children who will receive them. The Marine Corps sees that all the toys get out to all the children.

In addition to distributing toys to organizations, Company B will hold open houses to provide toys to needy individuals and families from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow and Saturday, and again on Dec. 10 and 11 and 17 and 18 at Eastland Mall in North Versailles. Signs will be posted.

"If past years are any indication, they'll be lined up before we open the door," Hughes said. "We get about 1,000 people each day. You wouldn't think that many people would need help, but they do. When you see the kids and their parents with smiles on their faces, it brings tears to your eyes.

"And we couldn't do it without the Goodfellows Toy Fund. We couldn't do a third of what we do without the help from Goodfellows. It's a wonderful partnership."

Contributions from generous Post-Gazette readers will help ensure that every boy and girl receives a toy this holiday season.

Every donation, large and small, is acknowledged in the newspaper. Donations are tax-deductible.

You can donate using the coupon on this page, or make a donation online by visiting www.post-gazette.com/pgcharities.