The annual Toys for Tots Hawaii campaign officially kicked off today with the third "Bikes for Tykes" effort in Downtown Honolulu.

More than 100 Huffy bikes were assembled on the sixth-floor conference room at the First Hawaiian Bank building for donation to the Toys for Tots effort.

The bikes were put together by 65 employee and family members of BAE Systems, a defense contractor.

Marines from the Kaneohe Marine Reserve unit and active duty Marines from Camp Smith assisted and supplied the muscle power to transport the finished product to a Honolulu warehouse to be delivered later to the Salvation Army, which distributes the toys for the Marines. Toys for Tots has been operated by the Marines since 1947.

The Marines also helped uncrate and assemble the two-wheelers, which came in all colors and sizes and ranged from one- to 10-speed.

"The BAE employees donate the money to purchase the bikes," said Chuck Little, a Marine Forces Pacific spokesman. "And because they buy them unassembled, they can get them at a better price. Then they come in with their families on their own time on a Saturday to assemble these bicycles, with an assist from the Marines."

The BAE employees bought the more than $10,000 worth of bikes. This year the company achieved their goal of reaching 100 bicycles. Last year BAE employees donated around 75 bicycles.

The Salvation Army will give the bikes to selected disadvantaged children for the holidays.