U.S. Marine Corps posthumously appoints 10-year-old Lazar LaPenna co-chair of Toys for Tots

Left to right: USMC Sgt Richards; John Holzer, co-owner Martino Auto Concepts; USMC Major Chuck Kilbride (retired); Long Beach Police Commissioner Ron Walsh; USMC Sergeant Garcia; Joe LaPadula, co-owner Martino Auto Concepts and Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder.

USMC Toys for Tots presented a plaque honoring Lazar to display inside the Long Beach Recreation Center.

Pictured from left to right with donations from the USMC Toys for Tots Van are USMC Major Chuck Kilbride (ret); USMC Sergeant Garcia; Lazar LaPenna’s brothers, Blaze and Gerry, and their father Gregg LaPenna.

10-year-old’s legacy will live on through continued donations

COLD SPRING HARBOR, NY, USA, May 20, 2022 /EINPresswire.com/ — United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots announced that it has named Lazar LaPenna as this year’s Co-Chair, posthumously. The 10-year-old Long Island resident died a few weeks ago during a Little League baseball game, suffering from an epileptic seizure at first base. To honor his memory, every donation made this season to a hospital will be in LaPenna’s name.

An avid New York Mets fan, LaPenna, a fifth-grade student at Long Beach Public School, managed to do what he loved: play Little League. To keep his memory alive, the Marine Corps donated approximately 600 toys to the local nonprofit, the Long Beach Christmas Angel (“LBCA”), which is dedicated to improving the lives of families. Additionally, a ceremony was held on Thursday, May 19, in which the Marine Corps presented a plaque honoring Lazar to be displayed inside the Long Beach Recreation Center.

“With Lazar’s untimely passing, we wanted to be able to honor him in a way that was close to his heart,” said retired USMC Major Chuck Kilbride. “In appointing him co-chair of this year’s Toys for Tots campaign, we feel he is with us every step of the way, making sure all children have the vacation they deserve.”

Toys for Tots will also be donating Hess trucks to Lazar’s Little League team. Meanwhile, teams across the country stood together in solidarity with LaPenna’s family and friends by pressing three bats against their respective clubs’ entry. The gesture was first adopted by the Mets themselves just days after learning of LaPenna’s passing.

“Lazar and the entire LaPenna family have had such an impact on our local community. We are grateful to the LaPenna family for designating LBCA as the local charity to receive this generous donation on behalf of Lazar of Toys for Tots. We mourn with them during this incredibly difficult time and will honor Lazar by ensuring that this donation is widely distributed in Lazar’s hometown and shared with children in his school district,” said Johanna Sofield, Executive Director of The Long Beach. Christmas Angel. “He touched so many hearts, young and old, and will remain with us in spirit, long after his time on Earth,” she continued.

“We know Lazar is looking down smiling right now at the number of lives he is able to touch through this indescribable designation,” said Gregg LaPenna, Lazar’s father. “He loved toys and games and having this opportunity to be able to share them with less fortunate children would make him so proud,” he added.

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