This year’s annual Examiner and Dowling Christmas toy appeal has begun.

Donations of new, unwrapped toys for any age are now being accepted at the Raymond Terrace Examiner office and the Raymond Terrace and Medowie Dowling Real Estate offices.

Dowling Real Estate principal Craig Higgins said last year's appeal was a big success, and hoped for a repeat.

“It gets better every year,” he said. “Last year was probably the biggest. We say that every year, but it really does just get bigger.

“We’re hoping people get in and do the same thing this year.

“We know there are a lot of people doing it tough at the moment, but this is about the local community helping each other.

“There would be nothing worse than a kid waking up Christmas Day and there’s nothing there.”

The Examiner has partnered with Dowling Real Estate for the past 23 years to run the toy appeal.

All toys and donations presented to the Examiner and Dowling offices will go to the Salvation Army to be distributed among struggling Port families for Christmas.

About 100 families in Port Stephens seek assistance from the Salvation Army at Christmas each year.

Examiner Editor Anna Wolf said the appeal was an ideal way to give back to a community that has always looked after its own.

“I grew up in Raymond Terrace and I’ve seen first hand how the Port community has always been one that helps its own out in times of need,” she said.

“Making a donation, no matter how big or small, will go such a long way to making this Christmas special for someone who really needs it.”

Donations can be made to the Examiner and Dowling offices between 9am and 5pm on weekdays until Tuesday, December 19.