Organizers for Toys for Tots in Picayune are getting a head start on fundraising efforts early this year with a garage sale on July 11.

The sale will begin at 8 a.m. at Picayune’s Intermodal Transportation Center parking lot, 200 Highway 11 South. Toys for Tots gives toys to children in the local community for Christmas to make sure that every child has a Christmas.

Most years, the organization begins fundraising in the fall, but fundraising has started early this year due to concerns that it may be harder for the nonprofit to raise the necessary level of funds due to an anticipated increased need for gifts, said Toys for Tots Coordinator Theresa Milar.

“We really fear that we’re going to have more kids because of the coronavirus, and we fear that there are so many businesses that are not going to reopen and that are struggling,” said Milar.

Much of the organization’s support comes from local businesses.

Last year, Toys for Tots made sure that 904 kids received Christmas gifts. In previous years the organization provided toys to 750 to 1,250 kids for Christmas, said Milar.

This will be the third annual garage sale to help the organization continue those efforts. Another garage sale may be held in October if enough donations are received. Along with tried and true fundraising methods, Toys for Tots organizers also began selling Rada knives. The nonprofit receives 40 percent of the profits from the knife sales.

Anyone who has questions about the fundraisers, would like to purchase knives or to donate directly to Picayune Toys for Tots can contact Milar at 601-798-7411, ext. 7.