FPU Athletics is teaming up with the Toys for Tots Foundation­­­­­ to collect and distribute toys as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community.

Fans will have the opportunity to gain free admission for bringing in one new toy for collection on the afternoon of Saturday, December 8 as the Sunbird basketball teams will be taking on  Dixie State in a PacWest matchup. The women's game is scheduled for 2:30 pm followed by the men, who take on the defending conference champion Red Storm at 4:30 pm.

Please join FPU in serving the community by bringing a donation of one or more toys for the less fortunate. Toys have a suggested value of $10 or more, unopened and age appropriate. Two U.S. Marines will be in attendance to collect the toys at the door.

Regular admission for those without a toy will be $6 for adults, $3 for youth, students and seniors. Children under six are free. Fans of all ages are welcome to join in the event-filled night, with Santa Claus being present for pictures from 4-5:30 p.m. throughout the game.

Those who are not able to attend the game can still donate toys to the local community by visiting www.toysfortots.org/donate/Default.aspx or locating a donation center near you.

Toys for Tots was founded in 1947 by Colonel William L. Hendricks and a group of Marine Reservists in Los Angeles, collecting and distributing 5,000 toys to children.

Since the beginning of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Tots for Tots program began, Marines have distributed more than 452 million toys to the less fortunate and provided a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens.

For more information about the event, please contact the FPU Department of Athletics at 559-453-2009.