Youth volunteers from the American Red Cross of Santa Monica will be collecting toys and gifts again this year for needy children and teens as part of the annual “Spark of Love Toy Drive.” Red Cross youth will then help distribute them to needy children in Santa Monica and nearby communities.
The American Red Cross of Santa Monica, KABC Channel 7 and local Firefighters will collect toys through Friday, December 19. As in previous years, new unwrapped toys or sports equipment can be dropped off at the Santa Monica Red Cross, any Santa Monica Fire Department station, CVS Pharmacy, and Albertson’s markets.
With the support of “Spark of Love Toy Drive” sponsors and a generous public, countless numbers of deserving children in Santa Monica and elsewhere will enjoy a new toy this holiday season. Everyone’s contribution is needed to brighten up a child’s holiday. Especially needed are toys, games, books, school supplies, and items appropriate for teens, ages of 14 –18.
Santa Monica area families in need can also sign up for the “Spark of Love Toy Drive” to receive toys for their children. Stop by the chapter during weekday business hours to sign up which includes providing the number of children in the family and their ages.
With the help of its partners, the “Spark of Love Toy Drive” collected over 600,000 toys in the five-county area last year. The goal is to double that number this year – the fifteenth consecutive year for the drive.
Unwrapped toys can be dropped off at: The Santa Monica Red Cross chapter at 1450 11th Street (at Broadway) in Santa Monica.
Santa Monica Fire station 121 at 1444 7th Street, Station 122 at 222 Hollister Avenue near 2nd Street.
Station 123 at 1302 19th Street at Arizona Avenue.
Station 125 at 2450 Ashland Avenue (south of Ocean Park Boulevard).
Toys may also be left in the special “Spark of Love” bins at local CVS Pharmacies and Albertson’s markets.
