The Toys for Tots program carried out its major distribution day Friday at the Santa Maria Veterans Memorial Hall, providing thousands of gifts to families and nonprofit organizations serving children across the Santa Maria area.

Area coordinator Dan Cadena said 1,100 families were registered through the program, with 2,800 children receiving toys. Thanks to strong community donations, more than 3,500 toys were distributed, allowing many children to receive extra gifts this holiday season, he said.

In addition to family pickups, several nonprofits and partner agencies collected toys Friday on behalf of the children they serve. The groups work directly with Toys for Tots and distribute the gifts to families who were approved and registered through the program.

Toy sorting and registratio

See Full Page