The Marine Aviation Training Support Squadron kicked off its Toys for Tots campaign Thursday.

Toys for Tots has expanded its service area for distribution of new toys to include nine east Mississippi counties and two in west Alabama.

The goal has been raised to 20,000 toys to cover those additional people and the need expected due to the tough economy.

Toy donation boxes for new, unwrapped toys will be set up in Meridian at Geoffrey, both Wal-Mart locations, Sam's Club, Meridian Yamaha, The Radio People Station, the Marine Corps Recruiting Station, and H&R Block locations. Boxes are also at Wal-Mart in Newton.

U.S. Marines will be present at Meridian Wal-Mart locations, Geoffrey, and Sam's Club Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. until Dec. 13, to assist those who wish to donate.