Toy for Tots drive dedicated to little leaguer who died during game

Joining the rest of Long Beach, the U.S. Marine Corps vowed never to forget 10-year-old Lazar LaPenna.

The Marines Toys for Tots charity dedicated this year’s toy drive Thursday to Lazar, the Long Beach little leaguer who collapsed and died from an epileptic seizure on the Point Lookout field during a game last month.

Lazar’s name and No. 9 — the number he chose for his baseball jersey — are emblazoned across shop windows throughout the city, and purple ribbons and flags in his honor surround the Long Beach Recreation Center and line Park Avenue and Lido Boulevard down to the field where he played in Point Lookout.

Lazar’s father, Gregg LaPenna, said the community support has kept the family held together through the grief. When asked how much baseball meant to his son, he broke down sobbing.

“I’m unbelievably overwhelmed by the love and support. I don’t think I would be able to stand up here without it,” LaPenna said, outside the recreation center where he accepted a truck full of toys donated in his son’s memory.

“Every day is a living nightmare and this love and support gets us through,” LaPenna said.

The family, including Lazar’s mother and two brothers, Gerry and Blaze, held hands tightly wearing Long Beach baseball hats.

The Toys for Tots foundation named Lazar co-chairman for this year’s  drive which aims to collect and distribute 750,000 toys to children on Long Island. He was also named an honorary Marine.

“The only thing in the Marine Corps we believe we’re obligated to do in life is to remember. And we’re going to remember this little boy Lazar and everywhere we go we’re going to donate in his name,” Marine veteran Maj. Chuck Kilbride said. “We’re going to honor this little boy because of his love of life, zest of playing ball and love of family.”

The family asked  Toys for Tots to give 600 toys in Lazar’s name to the Long Beach Christmas Angels, which will distribute toys including classic Nintendo systems, trucks and Lego sets through the school district, day care centers and churches to Long Beach children.

Toys for Tots also donated  toy trucks and planes to Lazar’s Little League team and his brothers' teams. His brothers were also given Star Wars Legos and trucks Thursday.

Long Beach City Councilwoman Tina Posterli said the city stands with the family as she proclaimed “No. 9 forever.”

“One thing about Long Beach, we do come together as a community and we will always honor and support this family and the memory of Lazar,” Posterli said.

At the Point Lookout field, tributes to Lazar hang on the fence including painted clam shells: one painted like a baseball and the another painted purple and reading “Lazar #9.” His teammates and friends have also hung baseball caps and jerseys on the dugout fence with about a dozen baseballs resting on top.

A permanent plaque will be hung in the Long Beach Recreation Center naming Lazar as the “Mets biggest fan” and as co-chairman of the Toys for Tots drive.

“Recognized for his team spirit for Long Beach/Lido Beach Little League, passion for baseball and love of his family and friends,” the plaque reads. “Rest peacefully in paradise slugger. One last hit! #BatsOutForLazar.”

By John Asbury

john.asbury@newsday.comJohnAsbury

John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.