More than 900 toys confiscated at the Port of Sweetgrass this summer for trademark violations will make their way to the local chapter of Toys for Tots this holiday season -- and then on to Helena's needy children.

The annual toy drive, organized by the Marine Corps Reserve, kicked off Wednesday behind a polished downtown window, marking the unofficial countdown to Christmas.

If all goes well, the toy collection -- bolstered by the confiscated toys -- will grow between now and late December.

Volunteers will distribute the toys the week before Christmas.

"These are strictly meant for the children," said Jim Heffernan, one of the program's local organizers. "That's what this program is all about."

Wednesday's ceremony was highlighted by the unveiling of a new Toys for Tots campaign poster rendered by Helena artist Bob Morgan.

Morgan and Heffernan unveiled the dark blue, newly painted piece, which depicts a young girl waking up on Christmas morning, only to find that her dog had taken to the presents.

"That little girl came in and the dog had already opened up all the presents," Morgan laughed, studying his painting. "I had a Chesapeake Bay retriever once that opened a lot of presents."

The new piece isn't Morgan's first foray into the popular toy drive. One of his earlier paintings was selected to represent the 2005 national Toys for Tots campaign, appearing on 6 million brochures and flyers across the country and beyond.

That painting, like his newest piece, which is up for national consideration this year, harkens back to an old-fashioned Christmas, when rocking horses and lightless trees were en vogue.

But toys have changed with the times. A Lite Brite, a Lil' Mover's Racetrack, and a Magic Bottle Baby represent the foundation's early efforts this season.

Other toys included a Knock-It-Down Blocktown, a "Hi-Reserz" sport utility truck, and a Cabbage Patch Kid.

Jill Foster, a 4-H teen leader, has volunteered for the program for 10 years -- a notable run considering that she's only 17 years old.

Foster helped create this year's display in the downtown window, in the US Bank building on Last Chance Gulch.

"It's the parents who come in and choose," said Foster, wearing her 4-H badge. "You can tell when it means a lot. They have tears in their eyes. It's for the kids, and every kid deserves a Christmas."

Nearly 50 drop-off boxes are located across the city this year, making giving easy. The toys, Foster said, will be coded and separated into appropriate age groups.

The program traces its roots back to 1947, when Maj. Bill Hendricks, aided by his Marine Corps Reserve unit, collected and distributed 5,000 toys to needy children.

The program was so successful that the U.S. Marine Corps adopted it the following year before expanding it nationwide. More than 12 million toys are handed out each year across the county.

In Helena alone, roughly 4,700 children benefited from the program last year. The program is driven by community generosity.

This year has come with a twist. The toy drive will enjoy the support of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which confiscated 3,000 toys at the Port of Sweetgrass.

While most contraband is burned, the shipment of illegal toys was set aside for distribution to Montana children.

"Hopefully, we can add to that," Heffernan said. "I'll let you know in December how it goes."

Reporter Martin Kidston: 447-4086 or mkidston@helenair.com