The 61-year-old Toys for Tots program is not just about giving stuffed animals to toddlers at Christmas.

The organization, which has operated in Utah for more than three of its six decades, also caters to needy families with children ages 12 to 16, too.

And that's where the Utah County program could use some help, said Sgt. Edward F. Hand, who coordinates the progam in Utah and Tooele counties.

He said the program gets lots of donations for kids between the ages of six and 12. But gifts are also needed for very young children as well as older teens.

"If people are looking specifically to donate, those are the age groups we need the most help in," Hand said.

The Utah County program is accepting applications from needy families through Dec. 4, but applications must be submitted through the county's United Way office, 801-356-6200.

The Toys for Tots program collects new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December and distributes them as Christmas gifts to needy children in communities across the country, according to the program's Web site.

First Sgt. Seth M. Cole, a Marine who coordinates the Toys for Tots program in the Salt Lake City area, suggested people planning to donate to Toys for Tots this year consider giving athletic equipment, skateboards, compact discs and compact disc players for older kids.

Last year, roughly 20,000 Utah kids received gifts through the Toys for Tots program, Cole said. He expected to distribute to that many children again this year, if not more.

Salvation Army Maj. Richard Green said applications for the program were up 30 percent this year compared with the same time last year.

It is best to drop off gifts at collection sites by Dec. 20 to make sure they can be picked up and distributed before Christmas, Cole said. Gifts left in collection boxes on Christmas Eve are too late.

Those late toys and other items are donated to the Marine Corps League or are inventoried and kept for next Christmas, he said.

jbergreen@sltrib.com