Christmas drives are underway to try to ensure that children in struggling families receive gifts.

Among the biggest are the ones coordinated by the Richmond branch of the Salvation Army and the U.S. Marines’ RVA Toys for Tots, which serve thousands of families in the Richmond area.

The Salvation Army, which reports providing 65,000 or more gifts to children, will distribute to pre-registered families between Wednesday, Dec. 14, and Friday, Dec. 16.

The Toys for Tots campaign, which reported distributing 58,115 gifts in 2021 including 24,015 children in the Richmond area, has partnered with 39 faith and non-profit groups to handle the distribution to those who seek support. The list of organizations accepting applications can be found at Richmond-Va.toysfortots.org.

Other groups also are undertaking smaller gift-giveaways.

Here is a sampling by dates of distribution, sponsor and location:

Saturday, Dec. 10 – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Northside Outreach Center Christmas Store, 3080 Meadowbridge Road. Sale of gifts are at 80 percent discount from retail.

Saturday, Dec. 10 – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Lucian Hunter Foundation of Hope 8th Annual Christmas Toy Giveaway Luncheon, Eastern Henrico Recreation Center, 1440 N. Laburnum Ave. Some 500 to 1,000 gifts are to be distributed without charge along with hot meals for pre-registered families, according to founder Pam Hazelwood.

Saturday, Dec. 17 – 9 a.m. to noon, Dreamers Academy Foundation, New Life Deliverance Church, 900 Decatur St. At least 1,000 gifts will be distributed, according foundation founder Lamar Johnson.

Saturday, Dec.17 –Noon to 3p.m., Adult Alternative Program, North Avenue Public Library, 2901 North Ave. Some 300 or more gifts to be distributed at no charge, according to AAP founder Kenneth Williams.

Sunday, Dec. 18 – 10 a.m. to noon, Dreamers Academy Foundation 3rd Annual Holiday Toy Drive and Giveaway, New Life Deliverance Church, 500 Decatur St. More than 600 gifts will be distributed at no charge, according to foundation founder and president Lamar Jackson.

Sunday, Dec. 18 – 4 to 6 p.m., A Better Day Than Yesterday Initiative Program’s Christmas Toy Giveaway, Reconciliation Church, 630 E. 16th St. Serving children of prison inmates. About 200 or more gifts expected to be distributed without charge, according to founder LeTeisha Gordon.

Wednesday, Dec. 21 – Noon to 2 p.m., Atlantic Outreach Group launches first day of 5th Annual Holiday Helping Hands gift distribution without charge, Ho Ho Restaurant, 10 E. Laburnum Ave.

Thursday, Dec. 22 – Noon to 2 p.m., Atlantic Outreach Group operates second day of distribution of gifts for children, Community Supermarket, 1915 Mechanicsville Turnpike. About 1,200 gifts expected to be distributed without charge over the two days, according to founder Shelia Jones.

Sunday, Dec. 25 – 10 a.m. to noon, Northside Coalition for Children Holiday Mingle, Whitcomb Court Community Center, 2301 Carmine St. Some 600 gifts or more will be distributed without charge along with holiday meals for families, according to founder Dr. Shonda Harris-Muhammed.

In addition, RVA Kids is teaming with From Prison to Promise to buy and distribute gifts to children of families of inmates.

Radio One also hosted its toy drive, with distribution being made to children in 345 families.