The past week brought another surge of applications for help at the Press Herald Toy Fund.

And organizers scrambling to serve all those Maine children in need are making their own appeal for help from donors on this Giving Tuesday.

“We’re closing in on a total of 4,800 kids on applications,” Toy Fund Operations Manager Jeff Ham reported over the weekend.

That’s about 1,000 more children than the Toy Fund served last year, when volunteers also had to scramble to keep up with an increase in demand from the previous year. And it’s double the number of applications received just three years ago.

As a result, Ham placed an emergency order for a second shipment of additional gifts to make sure no children are left out this holiday.

“Our application numbers are up across the board, at all age levels,” Ham said Monday. “When I placed a second order for toys, our vendor told me that holiday charities around the country are experiencing the same surge in demand.

“It shows that more people are struggling this year. When people have trouble affording food, they surely cannot afford gifts for their kids.”

Toy Fund organizers know there are needs for all kinds of community support right now — a fact that makes them nervous about covering the costs this year but also especially grateful for the support of readers who donate to bring joy to children in need. 

“The Toy Fund strives to serve all families that apply for assistance,” said Karen Beaudoin, president of the volunteer board of directors. “This year, we’ll need even more help from our generous donors and partners to make sure all children on our list have toys and books for the holidays.”

Since 1949, the Toy Fund has relied on donations from readers to purchase toys and books for children who otherwise would not have gifts to unwrap during the holidays. 

The Portland Press Herald and Lewiston Sun Journal publish lists of the donations along with stories about the holiday gift drive from Thanksgiving through the month of December.

Readers who donate online before midnight on Giving Tuesday will be entered to win four tickets to the Portland Symphony Orchestra’s Magic of Christmas and help keep the holiday magic alive for thousands of deserving children.

HOW TO HELP:

To make a donation online, go to pressherald.com/toy-fund.

Checks made out to the Portland Press Herald Toy Fund may be mailed to 295 Gannett Drive, South Portland ME 04106.

Names of donors are published in the Press Herald and Lewiston Sun Journal unless a donor wishes to remain anonymous.

TODAY’S DONATIONS:

• $105.52: Happy Holiday to all. — Karen and Margo
• $368.54: Gretchen and Ray Stanton
• $526.35: Sean Mahony & Marc Paradis
• $52.92: Greg and Debbie Tait
• $26.62: Merry Christmas Grammy — Anonymous
• $105.52: Anonymous
• $158.13: Thank you for making children smile on Christmas — Anonymous
• $200: Anonymous
• $21.36: Anonymous
• $210.73: Anonymous
• $105.52: In memory of Ronald and Geraldine Leeman from their family. Debbie — Deborah Leeman
• $52.92: In memory of Ken Cleaves and Lane Fraser, both of whom loved Christmas. — Ethel Carmolli
• $52.92: Anonymous
• $263.34: Anonymous
• $210.73: Thanks for sharing your beautiful coastline — Susan Lybeck
• $52.92: Anonymous
• $105.52: Anonymous
• $31.88: Anonymous
• $100: In memory of Anna Pelosi and Austin McIntyre — Anonymous
• $105.52: In memory of Slim & Shorty — Anonymous
• $105.52: May this gift make Yule a happy season for someone. Awen and Hwyl — Anonymous
• $105.52: Happpy Christmas to all the children — Anonymous
• $315.94: In memory of my Dad, George Mannette — Alice Chapin
• $52.92: Anita Haskell
• $105.52: Mary Lou and Bob Bagley
• $52.92: In memory of Nana — Melissa Taylor
• $52.92: Iris Silverstein
• $52.92: In memory of my beloved “Mumzie” T. Dick & Cheryl — Richard Talbot
• $105.52: Bayley J
• $100: In memory of Granna Hilly and Woodie — Anonymous
• $150: Keep up the good work — Pauline A & Carroll I Goodwin III
• $500: Michael & Harper Hall — Constance M Cardamone
• $100: Bruce F & Lorraine R Hirdler
• $100: Dedicated to Jeanne Mayberry a true Christmas Angel — Glen E Mayberry
• $200: Thanks to all the wonderful elves, Merry Christmas — Dianne T & Gregg S Goodrich
• $ 50: James Michael & Maureen Connor
• $79.22: Wayne Gaynor
• $421.15: This donation is given in memory of my parents, Rae and Joe Gardner — Anonymous
• $526.35: My family supports your cause and I am grateful that I am able to donate. Thank you for all you do for our Maine children. With love — Phyllis Banister
• $126.56: #12 of the 12 C’s — Anonymous
• $52.92: Jo Radner
• $210.73: Ruth & Hank Foundation — Anonymous
• $26.62: Amanda Scarpone
• $105.52: Anonymous
• $100: Anonymous
• $105.52: Happy holidays to all in memory of Donna Molinari — Anonymous
• $105.52: Lucretia Smith
• $26.62: In memory of George, Binky Free, Buddy. Mom & Dad — Jeffrey Marks
• $263.34: Anonymous
• $31.88: Happy Christmas — Anonymous
• $126.56: Love and miss you, Mom and Dad. #5 of the 12 C’s — Anne Blake

Year to date total: $16,467.07.