Many of the letters to the charity this season are coming from Maine parents struggling to keep up with basic needs like rent and food, despite having steady incomes — limiting their ability to afford presents for their children.

Some parents shared stories of dangerous and difficult journeys to the U.S. that have left them without the means to buy presents for the children.

Each of the thousands of Maine children served by the Toy Fund will get a new book plus several toys as part of their holiday celebrations this year.

Many parents writing into the charity describe feelings of guilt and shame over asking for help to make their children smile.

The Press Herald Toy Fund received applications for nearly 5,000 children this year. Parents began to pick up gifts this week.

Letters to the charity describe Maine kids facing cancer, major surgeries and long trips for care. The Toy Fund aims to lighten the load for those children and their families.

The Toy Fund will ensure Maine children facing difficult circumstances are able to find some much-needed happiness at the holidays.

The Toy Fund has already received about 1,000 more applications for help with holiday gifts than it did last year, Operations Manager Jeff Ham said.