Ventura, CA. – The Ventura City Fire Department is proud to join fire departments of Ventura County, ABC7, and Toys for Tots for the 28th Annual Spark of Love Toy Drive to Ventura County.
Now through December 24, 2020, Ventura community members can bring new, unwrapped toys, books, sports equipment, or gift cards to participating drop-off locations to be donated to local children and teens. Donations can also be dropped off at Ventura City Fire Headquarters, located at 1425 Dowell Drive. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, donations will not be accepted at any of the city’s six fire stations.
“The holiday season is a time of giving, and in Ventura, a city full of compassion, generosity, and empathy, our true goal is not to collect the most toys, but to spread the most joy among children in Ventura County,” said Ventura Fire Chief David Endaya. “The need for holiday cheer is greater than ever and Spark of Love is only possible due to the on-going generosity of thousands of people in our community.”
As a continuing sponsor, The Collection of Riverpark has generously donated a storefront for toy collection and distribution. Members of the community are invited to any one of the contactless donation drive through events every Wednesday in November from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. in the parking lot off the 101 freeway at The Collection of Riverpark. Ventura City firefighters will be at the event collecting donations on Wednesday, November 11, 2020 and Wednesday, November 25, 2020.
How you can help:
- Donate a Toy: Visit vcfd.org/sparkoflovedropoff to find a donation location. Visit the drive through donation collection events at The Collection of Riverpark any Wednesday in November.
- Donate Online: The public can donate via credit card to the Ventura County Professional Firefighters Association Charity Fund. Click the ‘Donate Now’ button. All proceeds will go to buying toys or sports equipment for the children and are tax deductible. TIN # 47-2253294
- Take the Family to Dinner: The Fire Departments of Ventura County have partnered with for a fundraiser supporting Spark of Love. Peirano’s Market & Delicatessen is hosting a spaghetti dinner fundraiser on Sunday, November 22, from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Ten percent all dinner sales will benefit the Spark of Love holiday toy drive. Reservations are encouraged and can be made by calling 805-628-9028, or by emailing [email protected].
- Local Business Support: Local businesses can request a Spark of Love collection box for their storefront or holiday event. To host a drive or request a collection box, contact Crystal Stratton with the Ventura County Fire Department at [email protected].
Together, we can keep the Spark of Love alive for children in Ventura County this holiday season. To learn more about Spark of Love, visit www.vcfd.org/sparkoflove/
BACKGROUND
Starting in 2016, the Southern California Spark of Love toy drive partnered with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program. This nationwide program has been collecting and distributing toys since 1947. For nearly three decades, Spark of Love has successfully collected more than ten million toys for underserved children and teens in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange, Ventura and Riverside counties. Toys collected in the respective counties are distributed locally.
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Thanks for publicizing this and thanks to the firefighters for making it happen, again.