BIDDEFORD — It’s that time of year, when stores are filled with people looking for the perfect gifts for friends and loved ones. For many, it’s a joyous time of year, but it’s not as much fun for those who can’t afford to give, especially to their children.

The Marine Toys for Tots program fills in for parents or guardians who can’t afford to purchase presents for their children, but to make it possible for Toys for Tots to fulfill its mission, community assistance is essential.

There are two Toys for Tots programs in York County: The Northern York County Tots for Tots Campaign, based in Saco, and another serving southern York County, based in Springvale.

Leo Menard, coordinator for the northern York County Toys for Tots program, which is run by the Saco Bay Rotary Club, and Carol Lombard, who is in charge of the southern part of the county, both say they are behind in cash donations this year and are in need.

Although there are plenty of donated toys for children aged 3 to 10, said Menard, there is always difficulty getting enough donations for the very young and older children.

“It’s not like we we’re not going to have Christmas, but we can’t tell those under 3 and over 10 that we have nothing for them,” he said.

Lombard agreed. “My worry isn’t that we aren’t going to have enough toys. My worry is we won’t be able to fill in the gaps.”

She said she especially has a need for bicycles for children of all age groups.

Financial donations are needed to buy presents for those age groups where few donations come in, and to purchase stocking stuffers and other items.

In addition, said Menard, the organization likes to have money left over after Christmas to buy items during the post-holiday sales for next year, where they get more bang for their buck, and to have a little extra in the bank to start buying again next fall.

But with donations at an all-time low, he said he’s not even sure there will be enough to fill the need this year.

For instance, said Menard, normally the organization raises about $20,000 each year, which is sufficient for its needs. This year, the organization has yet to raise $5,000 ”“ although Menard said he’s hopeful a fundraiser at Union House Pub and Pizza in Biddeford that took place Sunday would net more money.

For the southern part of the county, Lombard said that organization, which normally raises $5,000, only has about $650 in the bank. She said there are a couple of fundraisers in the works, but even if they’re both successful she only expects to reach half     her goal.

Neither organization has enough to assist the approximately 2,400 children served each year between the two programs.

That number could be even higher this year, said Menard. The Good Shepherd Parish, serving Biddeford, Saco, Old Orchard Beach and Lyman, will not be providing toys this year and has asked Toys for Tots to provide that service for them.

Menard said he’s not sure why donations are down, whether it’s the economy or the fact that several of the fundraisers that were planned this year didn’t take place for various reasons.

In addition, he said, “I think people just don’t know there’s a need.”

By putting the word out, Menard said, he hopes people will come forward with donations.

He noted that about six weeks before Thanksgiving, when people found out there was a need for turkey dinners for those who couldn’t afford them, volunteers came together and raised enough to provide turkey dinners with all the fixings for nearly 2,000 households.

Both Menard and Lombard say they hope the community will come together again and donate funds to ensure that every child in York County has a very merry Christmas.

For more information, to make a donation or to get an application to request toys through the Toys for Tots program in northern York County, visit the website saco-me.toysfortots.org; in southern York County, visit the website springvale-me.toysfortots.org.

There are no income requirements to be served by Toys for Tots. Applications must be received by Dec. 8.

Donation checks can be mailed to: Saco Toys for Tots, P.O. Box 235, Saco, ME 04072, or Springvale Toys for Tots, P.O. Box 91, Springvale, ME 04083.

There are boxes where toy donations can be made at stores, banks and other businesses throughout the county.

A Toys for Tots bean supper fundraiser, hosted by the Knights of Columbus is planned for Dec. 8, 4:30-6:30 p.m., at Most Holy Trinity Church, 271 Main St. in Saco.

— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.