CLEARWATER, Fla. — A Bay area non-profit needs help this holiday season.

  • Operation Toy Solider: Donating gifts to military families
  • Non-profit trying to collect more than 3,000 toys, gifts
  • Non-profit in need of help from community

Operation Toy Soldier is trying to collect more than 3,000 toys and gifts to give to families of veterans and active duty service members. After serving and sacrificing, Sgt. Curtis Speller is continuing his mission to show support.

"It's the hardest time being over there during Christmas or any holiday, because we spend the most time with our families then," Speller said.

Speller spent several years in the Army and is now in the Reserves. He’s also part of Operation Toy Soldier. 

"You can imagine Christmas for a child that has been missing a parent for six months to a year. Some of these deployments are easily a year," said Veterans Funeral Care Director and program founder Jim Rudolph.

Members say emotional and financial burdens weigh heavy on many military families this time of year. Operation Toy Soldier aims to bring smiles to the faces of those who already give so much.

"Service members...no one does it for the money. They're not in it for the cash, they're there because they want to help out and with that being said we should help them out as much as we can," Speller said.

Operation Toy Soldier is still collecting toys and donations. There are collection sites at different locations across the Bay area.