DAPHNE, Ala. — The United States Sports Academy’s Toys for Tots collection has become a Baldwin County staple during the holiday season.

For 16 years, residents have dropped off gifts for underprivileged Mobile and Baldwin County children, and this year is no different. Bicycles, basketballs, soccer balls, toy cars, Barbie dolls, board games and teddy bears are showcased under the academy’s Christmas tree in the front lobby.

This year there were less donated toys brought to the academy than in years past, the school’s communications coordinator Leigha Bolton said, mentioning that she didn’t really have an explanation for the drop in donations beyond the struggling economy.

“So far, what we’ve collected is not what we hoped to collect,” Bolton said. “We think the economy has a lot to do with it … People can’t afford to give as much, but there are families who need more (than in years past).”

Bolton said on Dec. 9 a group of Spanish Fort Elementary School students will travel to the academy and bring toys for the collection, which should help spike donations.

The Daphne-based academy has teamed with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Foundation for 16 years now. The Marine Corps started the Toys for Tots campaign in Los Angeles in 1947.

“In years past, we’ve collected the most toys in the southeast region (of the U.S.),” Bolton said. “That’s because we get great support from our community.”

Bolton also claimed that all toys raised through the academy would benefit children from Mobile and Baldwin County, which helps make an impact on a local level.

Since the inception of Toys for Tots, more than 400 million toys have been distributed to more than 188 million needy children.

The academy will accept donations from local residents until Dec. 10 each Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. All toys donated after Dec. 10 will go to the Salvation Army.

For more information, call 251-626-3303 or visit www.ussa.edu.