Alamogordo Christmas Miracle Returns for Fifth Year, Calls for Gifts for Babies and Teens

ALAMOGORDO — The Alamogordo Christmas Miracle is back for its fifth year, and organizer Daniel Acuña has a simple request for holiday shoppers: don't forget the babies and the teenagers.

Speaking with Anthony Lucero on KALH Radio, Acuña said the annual toy drive and community giveaway will take place Saturday, Dec. 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Desert Suds Car Wash, which has partnered with the group to host the event.

"Last year we had 400 families come out," Acuña said, "and we helped out a bunch of kids."

Gifts for every age, newborn to 17

The drive collects toys for children from birth through age 17. Acuña said donations tend to cluster around kids roughly 6 to 11, leaving the youngest and oldest children short.

For teenagers, he suggested electronics, sports gear such as footballs, basketballs and soccer balls, personal-care items like deodorant and body wash, and cosmetics, compact mirrors and nail kits.

Where to drop off toys

Collection boxes are set up around town, including two at the Ford dealership, Albertsons, the Classic Desert Aire Hotel, Drinkwell on New York Avenue, Rope Insurance, the Border Patrol, White Sands Dental, George Gandhi, and Jr's Auto Service. New boxes are expected this week at Desert Paws, Betty Dare RE/MAX and Southwest Sound Healing.

Cash donations are also welcome for those unsure what to buy. Gonzalez Lawn, one of the event's platinum sponsors, recently gave $500 toward toys.

No registration required

Families do not need to sign up in advance, but children must be present to receive a gift. Along with the toy giveaway, the day will feature a live DJ, a car show by Immaculate Car Club, food trucks, vendors, and raffles. Acuña also credited the Saturday market vendors who regularly support the event and will be on hand with crafts for last-minute shoppers.

How to help

To donate, volunteer or get more information, contact Acuña through the Alamogordo Christmas Miracle Facebook page, his personal Facebook page (Daniel Acuña), or by phone at 505-410-1375. He stressed that the area code is 505, not 575.

"If you know any kids that need presents this year, send them our way," Acuña said, "and we'll get them something good."

Watch the full interview on Krazy KALH Radio: https://youtu.be/yknacjPDvBw

More News from Alamogordo

• Commentary: Otero County's lawmakers, their ethics votes, and the guardrails New Mexico still needs. Otero County's legislators voted no on lobbyist transparency and pay without guardrails. Now they face calls for term limits, meal caps and per diem limits next session.
• Lawmakers' paycheck arrives without ethics rules; think tank maps the missing guardrails Alamogordo Town News endorses proposal from
  Think Tank but believes there should be more…