‘Tis The Season of Giving!

Once again, the local Toy Drives for children are underway.  Today we spotlight the Spark of Love annual Toy Drive because of its historically far-reaching success combined with convenience for those wishing to donate.  While these toy drives are so important every year, it’s hard to imagine they are not even more critical this year.  Last year Ventura County’s Spark of Love drive successfully supported more than 6000 children and over 30 non-profits.  This year the Ventura County Fire Department reports firefighters are already busy sorting toys for more than 9,000 children requesting this year. 

But while the pandemic has changed the way the toys are both collected and distributed, the beat goes on.  Following CDC guidelines toys are held in quarantine for four days, then sanitized before being sorted by age of the children to receive them.  Non-profits will then step in, also following CDC guidelines, to hand them out. 

The firefighters report that they will be collecting until December 24 but are asking us to please consider donating sooner than later.  This will provide them with the opportunity to appropriately quarantine and best ensure the safety of the families in need. 

While local fire stations are not accepting toys on site this year, other partnering locations are. 

Here is a link to all Ventura County Drop Off Locations.  

There are also opportunities to donate at drive-thru events:

• December 5^th, 8 am-Noon– Conejo Valley– Conejo Valley Cars & Coffee Toy Drive donation event
• December 5^th, 2 pm-5 pm– Simi Valley-Simi Valley Station 41 drive-thru contactless toy drop off event
• December 6^th, 2 pm-5 pm Camarillo–Camarillo Station 50 drive-thru contactless toy drop off event
• December 12^th, 9 am-11 am– Ventura–Ventura Chamber of Commerce drive-thru toy drop off event
• December 12^th, 10 am-5 pm– Oxnard-‘Fill the Boat’ with toys and food at Fisherman’s Wharf in Oxnard
• December 7^th-20^th–Ventura County Fairgrounds-Drop off a toy while visiting Holidays In Your Car during the holiday light show located at the Ventura County fairgrounds

But if you would like to make it super easy to make a donation you can also do it all online.

It is our hope that all 9000 of these children can have experience others, not in need will enjoy!

For all the support – Ventura County Firefighters say thank you!  With all of our help, we can keep the Spark of Love alive for children in Ventura County.