Alexa’s Charity Toy Drive and Car Show returns for its third year
SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) -- Alexa’s Annual Charity Toy Drive and Car Show will be held on December 1 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex.
Back for its third year and put on by Alexa Children’s Foundation with Bugs Not Dead Car Club, the event promotes community giving and entertainment.
“Alexa’s Annual Charity Toy Drive and Car Show is our way of making sure that no kid ever goes without getting a gift for Christmas or their birthday because Alexa never got to experience that,” said Alexis Miranda, co-operator of the car club and founder of Alexa's Toy Drive.
Miranda started Alexa’s Toy Drive in honor of his little sister, who died when she was one day old in 2010.
People wanting to participate are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to gift at the event in honor of Alexa's memory. The toys will then be donated to Natividad's pediatric patients.
In 2023, the organization reported collecting 500 toys for Natividad.
The drive will also host a car show, in which they encourage car, truck and bike collectors and hobbyists to register. Set-up is between 9 and 10:30 a.m. and there is a registration fee of $25.
In addition to the drive and car show, there will be live performances by Blanc Bandera and Barbra Ann Wagner. Jump houses, face painting, food vendors, raffles and a special visit from Santa are also scheduled.
“We truly appreciate everyone who contributes to bringing so much joy to our youngest patients,” said Natividad CEO Dr. Chad Harris. “This local event is special, and we are honored to be selected as a partner for this annual tradition.”
Donors looking for gift ideas, Natividad's Pediatric Supervisor Suzy Jarschke, RN, suggests:
- Clothes (newborn to school age)
- Big kid shoes (school age)
- Socks
- Underwear (toddler to school age)
- Coloring books
- Construction paper
- Crayons
- Markers
- Stuffed animals
- Books in Spanish
- Big toys for the playroom
- iPads
- Gift cards
- Blankets
- Kid toothbrushes and toothpaste
- Pinwheels
- Rattles
- Teethers
- Toys for 12mo-3yo
- Dolls
- Toy cars (Hot Wheels)
