Scene from a previous toy drive. Courtesy photo
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
EXIT Realty Advantage NM, 1615 Central Ave., is again hosting its toy drive to ensure that everyone has a happy holiday season.
Owner/Qualifying Broker at EXIT Realty Advantage NM Lance Eaton encourages the community to take part in the drive.
“The toy drive has literally helped thousands of kids in Northern New Mexico have a Christmas over the last 10 years,” he said. “The organizations that we support have really come to rely on this toy drive as the cornerstone of their efforts to help families have something to give their children. Because their resources as organizations are often limited, toys for Christmas can’t be a priority in terms of use of funds. That’s where we come in.”
“One of the reasons that this toy drive in particular was started was because many of these kids get nothing new throughout the year; everything is a hand me down or an afterthought,” Eaton added. “We wanted to provide kids with something new, something chosen for them. Every kid deserves to be reminded that they are special. You and I may take for granted having a toy under the tree. The families do not.”
To spread awareness of the toy drive, EXIT Realty Advantage NM is hosting Chamber After Hours 4:30-6:30 p.m. Dec. 9. Participants are encouraged to bring either a financial donation or a toy for the drive. Additionally, EXIT Realty is hosting an Ugly Sweater Party 7-10 p.m. Dec. 10 at Bathtub Row Brewing. Katy P and the Business will provide live music. Again, participants should bring either a toy for the drive or a $10 donation.
This is the second year that EXIT Realty Advantage NM has hosted the toy drive. Last year, more than $40,000 in toys and donations were raised for 13 organizations in Northern New Mexico.
This year, the organizations EXIT Realty Advantage NM is supporting include:
- Casa Familia
- Children Youth & Families Department
- Jemez Pueblo
- Las Cumbres
- PMS Family Health
- Portfolio Resident Services
- Santo Domingo Social Services
- Santa Fe Indigenous Center
- St. Elizabeth Homeless Teen Center
- Villa Therese Clinic
If interested in participating in the drive, visit www.exittoydrive.com. Financial donations can be made on the website or access the custom-built Amazon Wish List from the site.
People also can donate in-person by going to:
- EXIT Realty Advantage NM: 1615 Central Ave.
- Meow Wolf: 1352 Rufina, Santa Fe
- Los Alamos Fire Dept: Stations 3, 4, and 6 (look for the banners!)
- Santa Fe Fire Fighter Museum (Station 3A, 1751 Cerrillos) M-F 8 a – 5
- The Cricket Window
- Zia Credit Union
- Opulent: DeVargas Mall, Santa Fe
Call EXIT Realty Advantage NM at 505.500.8222 to learn about more ways to partner with it for fundraising, marketing and toy distributions.