KRQE viewers stepped up to help make Christmas a little brighter for needy families this year by supporting the Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots program.

On Thursday viewers gave more than $8,500 during a 3 1/2-hour phone bank.

The Marines expect to help about 10,000 children this Christmas but still need donations of cash and new, unwrapped toys.

The final push will be a drop-off event Monday from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the American Home Furnishings parking lot on the northwest corner of Carlisle and Menaul boulevards in northeast Albuquerque.

KRQE is a sponsor of the program.