‘Tis the season for giving, and opportunities for generosity toward others abound - from food banks to GivingTuesday, in small and big ways.

In this climate, Toys For Tots collection boxes have cropped up throughout the Lehigh Valley, from shops to libraries.

At Whitehall Township Public Library, the program is in full swing.

“I’ve been here for 23 years, and they’ve always brought a collection box,” said Lorraine Santaliz, youth services librarian. “Last year, we needed a second one.”

According to Santaliz, many library patrons are seniors who like the idea of buying a gift for a child.

“It touches the heart of whoever comes to the library, and they want to participate,” Santaliz said, adding as long as it’s not an electronic toy.”

This is the first year Parkland Community Library is participating in the program.

When Maryellen Kanarr transferred from Emmaus Public Library, she brought the idea of becoming a collection site for Toys For Tots.

“We did it for years at Emmaus library, and so I thought we’d try it here,” Kanarr said. “So I went to their website and applied to be a drop-off center, and they very kindly gave us the boxes. This is a very giving community, and it’s great to help people who might be having hard times. These toys go to children who might not otherwise get gifts.”

The program has a long history. In 1947, a Marine Reservist’s wife crafted a homemade doll to give to a needy child at Christmas. Diane Hendricks asked her husband, Bill, to find an organization that would see to the task, but when he could not find one, there was only one thing left to do - start just such a group himself.

From those humble beginnings, Toys For Tots was born.

Since then, Marine Corps Reserve units nationwide have sponsored Toys For Tots campaigns, gathering new and unwrapped toys in large collection boxes scattered throughout communities nationwide. Collection boxes have been in place since just before Thanksgiving. The program runs through Dec. 16.