Thousands of local kids whose families count on Hopelink for a special toy during the holiday season may not have a gift to open this year without a little extra help from their neighbors.

Last year, nearly 7,000 children received a new toy from one of Hopelink’s five Holiday Gift Rooms. Demand is high again this year, but shelves are nearly bare at some centers.

Donations can be dropped off at any Hopelink Center through Friday, Dec. 14. Centers in Redmond, Bellevue, Kirkland and Sno-Valley also are open limited hours on Saturday, Dec. 15 to accept donations.

Hopelink’s Kirkland/Northshore Center is located at 11011 120th N.E. and can be reached at 425-889-7880.

Toys and gifts are needed for all ages – as well as warm clothes, sweatshirts and sports clothing.

Hopelink President and CEO Marilyn Mason-Plunkett said the Holiday Gift Rooms provide a few brief moments when kids are able to just be kids.

“Oftentimes, the gift a child receives through one of our gift rooms is the only new toy they will be given all year,” she said.

“All of our Hopelink families are working hard every single day toward self-sufficiency, but many of them cannot afford to buy even the smallest toy or gift for their children. Our gift rooms provide a way for them to create their own special moments of joy for the children in their lives.”

Hopelink, the largest social services agency serving east and north King County, stocks the rooms with donations from local toy drives, corporate-sponsored giving trees, and individual contributions. The gift rooms are in their 18th year.

For center locations and hours, visit: tinyurl.com/d39bqeh or call Hopelink at 425-869-6000.

A list of toy and gift suggestions is available here: www.hope-link.org/Hopelink_Gift_Guidelines_2012.pdf

Photo: As of last Friday, only a handful of toys had been donated to Hopelink’s Shoreline Center.