Company Commander Capt. Louis Herrera and Sgt. 1st Class Andrea Valdez, the unit readiness NCO, handed the money to Sgt. Willie Duran during a brief ceremony at the Rio Rancho Readiness Center. Duran is a Marine Corps reservist assigned to Company D, 4th Reconnaissance Battalion, in Albuquerque. The 3631st Soldiers raised the money for the unit’s annual Christmas party. When company leaders polled the troops to learn what kind of party they wished to have, the consensus was to donate the money to Toys for Tots instead. “I was floored that they were so selfless to do this, especially during the holiday season, and I’m not floored very often,” Herrera said. “It says a lot to do something for somebody who needs it.” Accepting the donation, Duran said, “It won’t go to waste. Anything helps. Everything goes a long way to help.” Valdez replied, “Our troops were happy to help out.” Toys will be distributed to approximately 5,000 registered children between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Dec. 13 and 14 at the corner of Central Avenue and Tramway Boulevard. Duran added that volunteers will be welcome for the distribution, particularly New Mexico National Guard Soldiers and Airmen in uniform. Last year, Albuquerque Toys for Tots distributed 25,480 toys, supporting 5,091 children in the metropolitan area. Duran stressed that the program would not be possible without help from the staff and volunteers of One Albuquerque who worked tirelessly to register children. “I don’t know how we would do this without them,” Duran said. Toys for Tots supports underprivileged children between the ages of six months and 10 years. When Valdez asked Duran if there was a need for specific toys, he replied that toys for older children are often in short supply. Nationally, Toys for Tots began in 1947. The program has since distributed 566 million toys, supporting 258 million children. For more information on Albuquerque Toys for Tots, please visit the website below. https://albuquerque-nm.toysfortots.org/…/lco-…/default.aspx… Please visit https://www.cabq.gov/one-albuquerque to learn more about One Albuquerque.
