Toy drive to honor Pollin on Tuesday

A public memorial and toy drive will be held Tuesday at Verizon Center in honor of the man who built it: Abe Pollin, the sports team owner and philanthropist who brought basketball and hockey franchises to the Washington area.

Pollin, 85, died last month.

The son of a Russian metal worker, he came to America more than 75 years ago speaking no English and is remembered as the Washington Wizards and Capitals owner who transformed downtown by building MCI Center, now Verizon Center.

Tuesday's 7 p.m. ceremony will feature speakers including D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, NBA Hall of Famers Wes Unseld and Earl Monroe, and several members of the D.C. City Council.

A toy drive will be held throughout the day, and organizers ask donors to bring unwrapped, new toys to the arena's F Street entrance between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.