The Semper Fi Club is bringing its "Toys for Tots" raffle to an end today at noon in front of the Fidlee Fig restaurant, where the winner will receive a mountain bike.

The raffle began two weeks ago and the money collected will be used to purchase brand new toys for less fortunate Tucson children, said Max Green, president of Semper Fi and a material sciences and engineering senior.

"It's going very well," Green said last Friday. "We've at least reached the $1,000 mark."

Last year the club raised $1,500 and would like to collect over $2,500 this year, said Staff Sgt. Todd Gillingham.

On Friday afternoon, Gillingham said he is "certain" they will reach that amount today.

"I know my marines and I know they can sell 20 tickets," Gillingham said.

Green said the fund-raiser is important because a lot of children are reached who would not normally receive toys from their parents because of financial reasons.

"You're not getting a lot of hand-me-downs," Green said. "You're getting great new toys."

The fund-raiser is part of the United States Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program in Tucson.

Toys for Tots Coordinator Sgt. Robert Dockery, said that the corps was able to donate 25,000 toys last year. This year, they need to accumulate 25,750 toys for 79 local agencies.

New toys can be donated this weekend at the Festival of Lights at Reid Park Zoo, 1100 Randolph Way.