WARREN — Allen Ryan, director of corporate affairs for Covelli Enterprises, called the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots campaign the company’s favorite charitable cause.

“The money is used to actually give kids who would not otherwise get presents to have a Christmas,” Ryan said. “What’s worse than if a kid cannot have the ability to enjoy Christmas because he has no gifts under the tree?”

On Friday, Covelli Enterprises presented a check for $15,000 to Sgt. Alexis Ayala Valentin and Cpl. Hayli McKenzie with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, which distributes presents nationwide to children through its Toys for Tots campaign.

This is the 40th year Covelli Enterprises has supported Toys for Tots, and it has donated more than $650,000 to the cause in that time. The check presentation took place at Panera Bread on Elm Road, one of more than 300 Panera franchises Covelli Enterprises owns in eight states in addition to O’Charley’s, Dairy Queen and Oath Pizza franchises.

Valentin said support for this year’s Toys for Tots drive is up, but so is demand, and support from donors like Covelli Enterprises make it possible to meet this demand.

While the Marines have picked up donated toys from its dropoff sites, they still are accepting donations at the warehouse at Austintown Plaza on Mahoning Avenue. The greatest need is gifts for those ages 2 and younger and those ages 10 and older.

“When a lot of people think about the Marine Corps, of course it’s headstrong, Jarhead, Full Metal Jacket. This brings out the sensitive or softer, warm side,” McKenzie said, and it lets the public know that they can count on the Marines, “Not only when they’re in trouble, but also when they need something like this.”