A team of nearly 3 dozen pitched in throughout the holidays to make sure toys and books reached more than 4,000 Maine children.

A surge in demand this year prompted an extra order of toys and added shifts for volunteers, but every family who asked for help has gotten it, thanks to nearly $200,000 in donations.

Matthew Barron and Robert Beith started what would become the Press Herald Toy Fund in the winter of 1949, when — as they are now — times were tough for many Mainers.

Her story epitomizes the quiet struggles many working families face when times are tough around the holidays.

The charity will ensure that the families’ struggles don’t mean their kids miss out on the simple joy of unwrapping gifts.

Help from longtime supporters is a big reason the charity has successfully delivered holiday cheer to children for more than 70 years.

Many Maine grandparents serving as caregivers are seeking help from the Toy Fund, which provides books and gifts for thousands of kids each year.

The charity has experienced a surge in demand this year as Mainers try to provide a joyful holiday for their kids while fighting a rising tide of crises, including waitlists for care and disruptions to crucial benefits.