Washington Capitals Captain Alex Ovechkin, with the help of Capitals alumnus and Comcast SportsNet analyst Alan May, Elliot Segal from DC101’s Elliot in the Morning, the GEICO Gecko and three U.S. Marines, shopped at Toys “R” Us for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation on Friday, Dec. 2.
U.S. Marines Cpl Arnold, LCpl Forsythe and LCpl Brown are all hockey fans and were excited to be part of the event as well as meet Alex Ovechkin and Alan May.
Toys for Tots Shopping: Elliot Segal, Alex Ovechkin, Alan May with U.S. Marines - Shopping was successful (Photo by Cheryl Nichols)
The groups filled up many shopping carts with all types of toys, mostly for the 3-12 age range, spending $10,000 donated by Washington Capitals Charities.
Toys for Tots Shopping: LCpl Brown with lots of goodies for kids (Photo by Cheryl Nichols)
Toys for Tots Shopping: LCpl Forsythe and Ovechkin found the CSI section (Photo by Cheryl Nichols)
Toys for Tots Shopping: Cpl Arnold and Segal shopping for Matchbox cars (Photo by Cheryl Nichols)
“It’s about getting as many toys as we can turn over for Toys for Tots and load up as many kids for the holidays as possible,” started Elliot Segal. “The Marine Corps does a great job, they come out with us every year. The Caps do an awesome job of giving us about $10-15,000. We’re just running around the store, grabbing as many toys as possible and making a day of it.”
Toys for Tots Shopping: LCpl Forsythe and Alan May shopping for Barbie toys (Photo by Cheryl Nichols)
Toys for Tots Shopping: Ovechkin picked up some Redskins footballs (Photo by Cheryl Nichols)
Alex Ovechkin said that he loved to shop for toys. “It’s too bad when I was a little kid we don’t have this kind of stuff [Toys for Tots] in Moscow, in Russia. I think the kids will be happy to get the presents. I think what we get right now is pretty cool stuff. It’s going to be a good time for the kids.”
Toys for Tots Shopping: Marines as "Captain America" for John Carlson (Photo by Cheryl Nichols)
Toys for Tots Shopping: Ovechkin and Segal try out the razors (Photo by Cheryl Nichols)
No worries, Ovi didn’t really ride the Razor. He thought he might hurt himself and George [McPhee] wouldn’t be very happy. I’m glad Ovechkin thought that through.
Toys for Tots Shopping: Alan May does not like Penguins and knocked all of these onto the floor (Photo by Cheryl Nichols)
Alan May made it very clear that he does not like Penguins. Even though “Happy Feet” is a cute penguin, he is still a penguin. May dropped kicked a few little Happy Feet and then knocked all of the big ones off the shelves. It was fantastic.
Toys for Tots Shopping: Ovechkin found some cool dinosaur stuff (Photo by Cheryl Nichols)
Toys for Tots Shopping: Marines battle with light sabers (Photo by Cheryl Nichols)
Toys for Tots Shopping: Marine Alan May loaded cart with hockey toys (Photo by Cheryl Nichols)
“During the holiday season, there are children that never have a present under their tree so this is vitally important that the community get involved,” said Alan May. “I love the fact that the Capitals and Capitals Charities are involved in making sure that people go through the holidays and have something.”
Toys for Tots Shopping: Alan May handed Ovechkin a Justin Bieber T-shirt (Photo by Cheryl Nichols)
Toys for Tots Shopping: It doesn't appear that Ovechkin is a Justin Bieber fan (Photo by Cheryl Nichols)
Toys for Tots Shopping: Elliot in the Morning ready to start shopping (Photo by Cheryl Nichols)
Toys for Tots Shopping: LCpl Forsythe and Ovechkin (Photo by Cheryl Nichols)
Toys for Tots Shopping: Alan May found fun stuffed animals (Photo by Cheryl Nichols)
Toys for Tots Shopping: No Capitals, Nationals or Redskins! We spoke to the store manager about ordering some. (Photo by Cheryl Nichols)
Toys for Tots Shopping: GEICO Gecko (Photo by Cheryl Nichols)
Toys for Tots Shopping: Alan May picked this one in honor of Mike Green's Vespa as seen on 24/7 (Photo by Cheryl Nichols)
Toys for Tots Shopping: Ovechkin and Marine picking up some girly stuff (Photo by Cheryl Nichols)
Toys for Tots Shopping: Marines loading truck with toys (Photo by Cheryl Nichols)
Toys for Tots Shopping: Marines and JK Moving (Photo by Cheryl Nichols)
The shopping spree kicked off the Capitals’ Toy Drive presented by GEICO, which is taking place at the Dec. 9 game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Fans are encouraged to bring new, unwrapped toys to the F Street entrance of Verizon Center before the game. The first 2,000 fans to bring a toy or make a monetary donation will receive a free poster of Alex Ovechkin.
All of the toys bought during the shopping trip and collected at the Capitals’ Toy Drive on Dec. 9 will be distributed as holiday gifts to children in need in the Washington, D.C., area. JK Moving and Storage Inc. will provide a truck to transport the toys to the Toys for Tots warehouse.
This is the third-consecutive year that the Caps have shopped for toys for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation at Toys “R” Us. Last season Caps center Brooks Laich participated and the year before forward Mike Knuble shopped for the cause with his family.
Caps365 Video:
NBCWashington Video:
Pingback: CAPS: Toy Drive Dec. 9
Toys for Tots and the program that some bookstores have where you can buy a book for a child who may go without are also fantastic.