‘Nationals vs Orioles 04’
courtesy of ‘maxedaperture’

The Washington Nationals are hosting their annual Christmas in July Toy Drive benefiting the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program all weekend.

Fans are encouraged to donate new, unwrapped toys for kids of all ages that will be collected and distributed to non-profit organizations and hospital pediatric wards throughout the D.C. Metropolitan Area. Last year, the Christmas in July Toy Drive brought in 23 bags of toys and more than $16,000 in cash donations. This year, the Nationals look to do that again and then some.

Toys will be accepted starting with Friday night’s series opener against the San Francisco Giants when the center field gates open at 4:30 p.m.

Fans can continue dropping off all toy donations through the end of the fourth inning on Saturday and Sunday as well. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday and 11:00 a.m. on Sunday.

Rachel Levitin

Rachel moved to DC in the fall of 2005 to study Journalism and Music at American University. When she’s not keeping up with the latest Major League Baseball news, she works on making music as an accomplished singer-songwriter and was even a featured performer/speaker at TEDxDupont Circle in 2012. Rachel has also contributed to The Washington Examiner and MASN Sports’ Nationals Buzz as a guest blogger. See why she loves DC. E-Mail: rachel@welovedc.com.