State Sen. Benjamin Downing overflowed two boxes of donations last year.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It's on.

 

State Sen. Benjamin Downing and Mayor Daniel Bianchi are in a battle over toys.

 

The stakes: bragging rights. The bet: who can collect the most Toys for Tots. 

 

Both offices announced they are reigniting the friendly competition. Downing will collecting donations at his Pittsfield office at 7 North St., Suite 307, while Bianchi will be collecting toys at his City Hall office.

 

Downing will collect unwrapped toys through Dec. 15. On Dec. 11, the senator will be hosting his annual Toys for Tots open house.

 

The open house from 3 until 6 p.m. is a push for the toy drive.

 

The office will be opened with refreshments and Downing will be announcing the winner of his first annual greeting card design contest.

 

The toys will be collected by Marines from Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee and be distributed to needy children in Western Massachusetts.

 

"I am proud to partner with the U.S. Marines in this great cause again this year," Downing said.

 

"I hope that families and children across Western Mass will have a happy, merry and bright Christmas morning thanks to the generosity of others and the donations we can help collect."

 

Ann Dobrowski and Becky Manship showing off the toys that have given Bianchi's office a jumpstart on the competition.

Bianchi's office is collecting toys through Dec. 17 that will be donated to city children. An ornament will be placed on the Christmas tree in City Hall for each gift donated.

 

The two are fairly evenly matched. Downing represents 52 towns in the western part of the state, covering significant more geography and population. However, Bianchi has a lot more staff he can ask to donate.

 

On Tuesday, Bianchi's office claimed a lead with five gifts. Last year, Bianchi's office got off to an early start as well with the donation of a bicycle.

 

The Toys for Tots program is an official activity of the Marine Corps Reserve.

 

Created by a reservist in 1947 to collect toys for needy children, the program has since distributed more than 469 million toys to some 216 million children.

 

Some ideas for donations include: Craft kits, sports equipment (basketball, baseball gloves, bats, tennis rackets, tennis balls, etc.) puzzles, bikes, stuffed toys, dolls, Legos, toddler friendly toys, skateboards, bouncy balls, books for all ages, art supplies, toy trucks