With the holiday season rapidly approaching, Col. Bill Hitchens, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety, said is will again be collecting toys for the Toys for Tots program.

Hitchens said Georgia State Troopers, officers with the Department’s Motor Carrier Compliance Division and Capitol Police officers are teaming with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve for the 2010 Toys for Tots program.

Collection boxes are being placed at the 48 Georgia State Patrol posts across the state. The toys donated should be new and unwrapped and may be dropped off at the GSP posts between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays.

The GSP post that serves Decatur, Miller, Seminole and Early counties is located at 229 S. 4th St. in Colquitt, Ga. Fourth Street is located off Main Street\Georgia Highway 91 in the eastern part of Colquitt.

Col. Hitchens said the annual collection drive provides toys to needy children and the Georgia Department of Public Safety is on board to help the local communities.

“Many of our department members have served in the Marine Corps, including myself, the deputy commissioner, and the commanding officer of the Georgia State Patrol Division, and we know firsthand the impact Toys for Tots has on helping others,” he said. “This is about neighbors helping neighbors.”