Pro Wrestlers To Appear At Wilmington Toys For Tots Event On Sunday

WILMINGTON, MA — On Sunday, a local real estate agency is hosting a Toys for Tots event with a bit of a twist — or, perhaps more accurately, a twist, a full nelson and a figure-four leg lock.

From 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., West Real Estate will welcome several professional wrestlers to its office, located at 386 Main St. in Wilmington. Headlining the group is former WWE, ECW and WCW legend Mr. Hughes, aka Curtis Hughes.

The wrestlers, who come from Canton-based Lucky Pro Wrestling (LPW), will sign autographs and pose for photos with the public. Admission is free and attendees are asked to bring an unwrapped toy for children ages toddler to 16.

In addition to Mr. Hughes, the wrestlers scheduled to attend are: LPW champion Darley Desamot, LPW women's champion Paris Van Dale, Sweatboy Chris James and LPW tag team champions The Social Influence, which features TKO Kocenko and Ken Powers.

"We just renovated our office, and we hope they don't destroy it," joked Frank West, who owns the agency with his wife Karen. The pair also serve as the Toys for Tots zone managers for Wilmington and Tewksbury.

West continued: "Many of the wrestlers are the champions of the federation and they'll all bring their championship belts. They'll interact with the kids and the public. They can be in wrestler mode, or not. They'll take photos and let the kids put on their belts. They'll bring 8 x 10s and kids can get autographs with all the guys and gals."

The event also will feature somebody dressed as the Grinch, and a few elves are expected to attend.

Additionally, a raffle will include prizes like a Bruins championship plaque, a Celtics plaque, tickets to an LPW event and other LPW-branded items.

According to Frank West, the agency began its annual Toys for Tots event 26 years ago, though the in-person event did not take place the last two years because of the pandemic.

Former Bruins Johnny Bucyk and Ken Hodge were among the first celebrities to attend the event and sign autographs. Over the years, there have been other former Bruins, wrestlers, including Killer Kowalski, and even Miss Massachusetts.

Mr. Hughes is considered the big name on this year's guest list.

"He doesn't live around here," Frank West told Patch. "He's somebody who is a name wrestler and people normally wouldn't be able to get his autograph or get a photo with him. So, it's kind of a rare chance to meet him."

Toys for Tots, which is run by the U.S. Marine Corps, is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. Since 1947, the program has distributed 627 million toys and supported 281 million children, according to the organization.