More than 3,000 underprivileged children – nearly double the number originally anticipated – will wake up Christmas Day to plenty of holiday gifts, thanks to Suffolk Toys for Tots.

&uot;It’s wonderful,&uot; said Bill Ashley, retiring chairman of the program. &uot;We have plenty of toys to give away.&uot;

The program, sponsored by the South Hampton Roads Association of Financial Advisors, initially was expected to serve about 1,600 children this year, Ashley said.

The generosity of dozens of individuals, organizations and businesses to the Suffolk Cheer Fund, the Suffolk’s News-Herald’s annual holiday fundraising campaign, are vital to Toys for Tots, he said.

Thus far, contributions to the Cheer Fund – all of which are earmarked for Toys for Tots – total $16,097.50, said Frank Rawls, chairman of the fund drive.

&uot;We appreciate the generosity of people in the Suffolk community,&uot; said Andy Prutsok, publisher of the News-Herald. &uot;None of this could be done without you.

&uot;Every contribution – whether it’s a few pennies a child finds under the sofa or a check from the city’s largest company – is equally meaningful in our quest to ensure that every child in Suffolk has a memorable holiday. That is something no child should ever be denied.&uot;

allison.williams@suffolknewsherald.com