aidan and jacob don't quite grasp the danger. but colin, the big brother, trying to fill in for mom, understands too well. >> colin, it is like you're about to cry. >> why are you crying? you miss your mom? >> i never saw him do this before. >> reporter: since heather left, colin marks the days on his calendar. he can't tell you when she's coming home. >> i just keep track of how long she's gone. >> reporter: it is a fear, a worry chris can't make disappear. but events like the toy giveaway can help. >> it gives them that distraction, that enjoyment of just getting something for no other reason than they're just a kid. >> reporter: under the tents, it looks like christmas, all donated by the toy industry and distributed by the boys and girls clubs of america. >> what better way to relieve some of this stress than with a toy? >> reporter: they sent toys to 24 bases last year, and this year they hope to bring toys to 31, and so far, they have never run out of toys. aidan chose a fishing rod. jacob, an action toy. and colin, table s