Diamond Children’s Medical Center unveiled its brand new Play Zone Tuesday morning. It’s a 7,200-square-foot area for hospitalized children to engage in therapeutic play.

Press-Telegram and Grunion Gazette readers, with the help of some philanthropic community elves, donated 3,233 sports balls for Boys & Girls kids, breaking last year’s record of 2,800 balls.

Big 5 will once again provide 25% off any regularly priced sports ball folks buy to donate to the Play Ball campaign. Phil Trani’s Restaurant, 3490 Long Beach Blvd., noon-11 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

The Let’s Play Ball campaign exceeded its goal of collecting 2,500 balls each for the Boys & Girls Clubs of both Long Beach and the LA Harbor.