A down economy the past couple years has driven the number of those who need help up and the generosity of the Enumclaw community has responded.

Last year, the Enumclaw Police Department and Citizens Auxiliary’s Cops 4 Kids toy drive reached more than 450 families in the area.

This year, organizers are hoping an early start will help them again collect the hundreds of unwrapped toys and gifts necessary to meet the needs of the community’s youth by the holidays.

Drop boxes will start appearing in local businesses Friday. Those looking to donate specific items can stop at the Enumclaw police station and pick a card off the giving tree. Gifts, or cash donations to purchase items, can be delivered to the Enumclaw Police Station for now. Drop boxes are likely to be set up around town as the holiday season draws closer. Items should be unwrapped.

The group will collect items through Dec. 17.

Cops 4 Kids collects gifts for children ages infant to 17 and distributes them throughout the city. Shoppers or gift givers should note the auxiliary often has a particularly hard time meeting the needs for teenage boys and girls, especially those 11 to 17 years old.

All donations stay in town.

For information, contact Marilyn Hash at 360-825-4146.