PETOSKEY -- Thousands of people attend the annual Stafford's Downtown Petoskey Holiday Parade in Petoskey each year.  It's this large turnout that the downtown Petoskey director hopes will help out with the parade's charitable cause.

"Toys for Tots is the one we chose this year and this was a nice addition and they got a lot of toys!" says downtown Petoskey director, Becky Goodman.

Goodman says each year the parade includes a charitable event, but with a struggling economy, this year's event could be even more necessary.

"The need is always there but this might be a tougher year for some families," says Goodman.
  
Marines with a Toys for Tots float were not only part of the event, but were also collecting the donated toys from area families.

"Do you guys have a goal in mind of how much you wanted to collect?" asks 7&4 News.

"As much as we could!" says Goodman.
  
Besides toy collections going on, for some children the parade is a great way to start off the holiday season.

"It was a lot of fun...everybody threw out a bunch of candy!" says parade attendee Katherine Furtaw.

"What did you like the best?" asks 7&4 News.

"The candy!" says parade attendee Kiley Graham.
  
Goodman says it's families and children like this who not only attend the holiday parade, but help to make the Toys for Tots drive a success.

"It's all about toys for Christmas time and you don't want to think about any child going without a toy at Christmas," says Goodman.

The 7&4 News Toys for Tots trolley will start making its rounds this Monday in Mancelona.