PITTSFIELD, Mass. - This holiday season marks the 75th year for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots program.

Over eight years coordinating the Berkshire County program, Chris Keegan has become a bit of a toy expert.

What You Need To Know

  • Toys for Tots began in 1947 and is run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve

  • Chris Keegan is the Toys for Tots coordinator for Berkshire County

  • The toys for Berkshire County are sorted in a warehouse at the House of Correction where Keegan works

  • The program is helping nearly 100 families and about 15 organizations this year. Keegan said they're still looking for more toys for 11 to 14 year olds

Keegan said he’s noticed more of a need from his community this year, as a lot of the items people buy are more expensive.

“Yes, definitely a need. I think the price of toys has driven up that need," Keegan said. "On average, we get toys to about 2,800 kids to 3,000 kids here in Berkshire County.

“You are handed a mission, and the mission here is to honor every request. That’s the way I look at it and I’m sure that Marines across the country who are involved both active and inactive, part of the marine corps league detachments which are all over the country, I think they just use that mindset of this is the job to do, let’s get focused on it and let’s get it done by any means possible.”

All month long, Keegan said the warehouse is busy with volunteers who help gather, sort and distribute the toys. Through the years they’ve developed what he calls a “method to the madness” to ensure every request from the organizations and individual families they serve is met.

“We try to keep it in alphabetical order," Keegan said. "Looks like a mess, looks a lot messier than my grandson’s room if that’s possible. They’ll come up, they’ll show an ID and then we’ll give them the toys.”

Families who are grateful for toys, coupled with all the help he gets is the formula for a mission accomplished in the eyes of this Marine.

“We go right up to Christmas Eve," Keegan said. "I mean like I said, we had families in here last year looking for last minute toys. So, it’s a gratifying position, a lot of work, but I cannot thank the people who help me behind the scenes and of course the people who live and work in this county who donate their time, their money or obviously a toy to make this all happen.”