A Green Tree warehouse was filled - floor to ceiling - with toys last week for children age 13 and younger.

There were trains, planes, cars and trucks. The latest in electronic games and gizmos sat side by side with classic board games such as Monopoly and Candyland. There were bats and balls and equipment for playing all kinds of sports, not to mention crayons, markers and other art supplies.

In all, about 44,000 toys were sorted and packaged by volunteers for the annual Treasures for Children program, a project of The Salvation Army Western Pennsylvania Division.

The Army marshalled more than 350 volunteers, including members of the U.S. Coast Guard, for 12-hour shifts Monday through Friday of last week to pack, sort and arrange toys for 18 Salvation Army centers and ultimately for 12,000 families throughout Allegheny County.

Unfortunately, 44,000 toys isn't enough this year.

"This is the first time we've run out of toys in the last 10 years," Maj. Lynette Reel said. She and her husband, Maj. Robert Reel, are divisional leaders of the Salvation Army operations in 28 Western Pennsylvania counties. "I was out at 6:45 a.m. buying more toys," she said Friday.

"Our sponsors were more generous than ever this year," said Maj. Sandy Jackson, coordinator of the toy drive. "But the need this year is greater than ever."

Not that any child will be overlooked.

Children ranging in age from infants to 13 years old usually receive at least three presents. As of Friday, some of them will get only two presents from the Salvation Army this year.

"We're a little short on toys, but we know God is going to come through," Maj. Jackson said.

Army employees like Leah Horcholic, of Scott, start organizing the Christmas toy collection in May.

In October, the Salvation Army starts collecting toys and games from more than 200 sponsors, ranging from employees of very large companies to families and individuals.

Employees of numerous companies contributed toys, and in some cases sent volunteers to help with the packaging and sorting. The Coast Guard sent officers and trucks to transport the toys to the Salvation Army neighborhood centers.

Marilyn DeHuff, of Bethel Park, smiled as she looked at lists and checked them twice to make sure that age-appropriate toys were sent to the correct centers. Tags on each bag of toys were marked "boy" or "girl" and listed an age and a code number to ensure delivery.

"This is my 15th year," said Ms. DeHuff, a member of the Army's Greater Pittsburgh Women's Auxiliary. "I come all five days. It's tiring but very rewarding to know that kids are getting such nice things. This year, we're very low on items for infants, and we haven't received as many donations for teenagers."

Male volunteers like Robert McCaskill, of Braddock, are especially welcome because of the heavy lifting required to load toys into delivery trucks.

"I volunteer with the Salvation Army because I know it's good for the kids. I was a kid one time," Mr. McCaskill said. "I'd like to come back and do more."

To donate toys or cash to buy presents, call Maj. Jackson, 412-596-5642.

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