Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - It's never too early to turn one's thoughts to the joys of the Christmas gift-giving season! Toys for Tots Vallarta is pleased to announce the 13th consecutive year of fund raising events to purchase toys for distribution to local needy kids on Three Kings Day, the traditional gift-giving day in Mexico.

We've averaged more than 8,000 toys per year over the past 12 years, and certainly hope to reach at least this level in 2012. Each toy we hand out equals another smile on the face of a kid who may otherwise receive nothing material during the Christmas season.

Educators tell us something as small as a visit by the Three Kings with the gift of a toy can create a sense of inclusion and hope with these kids, and perhaps inspire some of them to stay in school and build a better life just like the more privileged kids. So we're not only handing out toys, but perhaps giving the gifts of pride and hope as well.

We've scheduled two major fund raising events over the next month.

First up is a charity golf scramble on Saturday, December 8th. As in the past, the Golf Tournament will be held at the Vista Vallarta Golf Club, Weiskopf course, with a shotgun start at 11 am. Cost per person for the golf outing is $1400 pesos, or $110 USD.

The second event is our ever-popular Gala Dinner Dance that will be in the ballroom of the Marriott CasaMagna Resort and Spa on Sunday, November 9th, starting at 6:30 pm. The price per person for the dinner dance is $800 pesos, or $65 USD.

Tickets are available at the Marriott concierge desk, at the Vista Vallarta and Marina pro shops, or from Bill Clark in Olas Altas (322) 222-3616, Carol Smith in El Centro 044- 322-137- 4902, or from Fred Piontkowski in the Marina (322) 209-0064.

We hope everyone can find a way to participate in these heart warming and fun activities this Christmas season. Importantly, every peso raised will go to the purchase of toys at steep discounts from a distributor in Guadalajara. All other expenses are covered by a totally volunteer effort, plus generous donations from a large number of sponsors.

Sponsors include: Vista Vallarta Golf Club which opens its Weiskopf course to free play, the Marriott CasaMagna Resort which provides its facilities and gourmet dinner also without charge, the State of Jalisco and Cashola which provide cash grants, and many other local business establishments.

Finally, everyone is invited to participate in the actual distribution of toys when schools resume following the Christmas break. This year it will be a day after Three Kings Day, or Monday, January 7, 2013.

You will be linked up with one of our many routes that fan out across the Bahia to find the neediest kids possible in disadvantaged neighborhoods, mostly in Jardins de Ninos or Kindergartens. It's truly a memorable day, with the kids' smiles infectious to those lucky enough to be involved in the toy distribution.