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MARQUETTE -- The Salvation Army does a lot of good for the community. 

This time of the year, they provide toys for needy families.  In Marquette, they couldn't do it without the Mining Journal.  The newspaper’s Cheer Club provides 95 percent of the toys given to families for Christmas.

But the Salvation Army says the demand this year has increased.

"There is a great need,” said Captain Donna Rose with the Salvation Army.  “We are seeing more people signing up, as we expected this year, for Christmas because of the economy."

That's where the Mining Journal comes in.  For the past three decades they've been collecting toys for needy kids in the Marquette area as a part of their Cheer Club.

"This year we got off to a slow start as a matter of fact,” said Mining Journal publisher Jim Reevs.  “We were real worried…I did a column, saying we really need your help and we did a couple of stories on it."

That appeal in their newspaper led to the single largest amount of toys donated in one day.  Tuesday, the Salvation Army collected all the toys.  They'll help 400 local families have a merrier Christmas this year.

“It's a dual benefit for us at the Mining Journal,” Reevs said.  “I mean we get a real warm, fuzzy (feeling) to know that kids get gifts at Christmas, that may not otherwise get them.  But for our employees, they also get the benefit of seeing the generosity and the giving spirit that the community has."

The Salvation Army Toy Shop will be open for preregistered families this Friday, Saturday and Monday.  But both the Mining Journal and the Salvation Army will accept toy donations until Christmas Eve.