PHOTOS: Annual Toys For Tots Show and Shine

The annual Toys for Tots Show and Shine event was bursting at the seams with people, cars and toys at Elks Lodge in Rio Rancho Dec. 3 much to the delight of Toys for Tots coordinator Paul Caputo.

“Twenty-one years ago, when we started really kicking off this program, we helped 35 families. Last year, we gave toys to about 42,000 kids,” Caputo said.

As a veteran himself, Caputo represents the U.S. Marine Corps with Toys for Tots. He helps deliver toys alongside his family to the kids of the metro area.

“Everything that’s collected in the metro area stays in the metro area. Just want you to know your efforts stay here and support people who need help. If you know people who need help, tell them to get a hold of me,” he added.

The toys collected during the year for Toys for Tots go out to six counties in New Mexico.

“We make sure that everyone who needs a toy gets a toy,” Caputo said.

While the event’s main focus was collecting toys for children in the metro area, a few other things entertained the masses.

With more than 95 vehicles parked around the lodge, a raffle and a wing-eating contest, people were more than interested. To top it off, flamenco dancers impressed the audience with their colorful dancing and smiles.

New Mexico Motor Events, owned by Michael Gonzales, and Outlaw Desert Racing, owned by Drew Garcia, were responsible for the numerous cars, trucks and bikes in attendance. From off road four-wheelers to a 1965 El Camino to a couple of Volkswagen buses, there was nearly every class of vehicle in the parking lot. As Coyote 102.5 blared for all to hear as people roamed the grounds to appreciate or inspect each chariot of speed and class.

“This is freaking awesome,” Gonzales mused.

He was particularly impressed with a old VW Bug that had been converted to electric by the owner. The owner bought a kit from California to do so.

Garcia was happy about the variety of vehicles there saying they differed in terrain and speed.

“It’s on like Donkey Kong,” he said.

The event ended with the raffle and wing-eating contest. Raffle winners took home merchandise from vendors, outdoor equipment, car cleaning equipment and more. One lucky winner took home half of the raffle money. The other half went to Toys for Tots.

Then, as wing sauce covered the contestants’ faces, the crowd cheered them on. In the end, Amos Baca took home the trophy for wing eating.

Baca and his family have their own charity work with Autism Awareness. He also races locally.

As a thanks to the lodge, the hosts presented a plaque to the volunteers working the bar and grill inside.