Parks and Recreation Department and community sports donate to Toys For Tots

Nov. 27—Action figures, dolls, board games, bikes and many other toys were neatly arranged at Los Altos Softball Field Complex on Monday morning, waiting to be handed off to members of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, who were collecting them for Toys For Tots.

Over the course of November, the city of Albuquerque's Parks and Recreation Department held three Toys for Tots benefit sports tournaments that encouraged participants to donate toys in lieu of paying an entry fee. The tournaments featured softball, pickleball and tennis.

"At the Parks and Recreation Department, we are committed to using our programs to benefit families across our city," department Director Dave Simon said Monday. "This is a way that we can give back to our community through the sports and activities Albuquerque residents love."

The Parks and Recreation Department partnered with World Sports League Softball, the ABQ Pickleball Club and several local tennis players for the three tournaments in early November.

In total, the Parks and Recreation Department was able to collect 520 toys, 13 bikes and $2,500 for Toys For Tots, which Simon estimates will help more than 600 families.

Last year, Toys For Tots in Albuquerque distributed more than 12,000 toys to 7,114 children. This year, Simon said 1,800 families have already registered to receive a toy from Toys For Tots and registration is still ongoing.

Toys For Tots and the city of Albuquerque are hosting in-person registration events from 3-6 p.m. Nov. 29 at Los Padillas Community Center, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Alamosa Community Center and from 1-4 p.m. Dec. 5 at the John Marshall Health and Social Services Center.

Online registration is available at albuquerque-nm.toysfortots.org. Registration closes at midnight Dec. 10. Toy distribution events are set to take place Dec. 15th and 16th. The time and location of these distribution events will be disclosed to registered families prior to the 15th and 16th.

U.S Marine Gunnery Sgt. Christopher Warner, who said this was the first year he's been involved with collecting toys for Toys For Tots, called the effort important for ensuring every child gets to experience the joy of receiving a present.

"The fact that we're able to help out is great, especially during the holiday season," Warner said.