The Great Venice Toy Drive, a project of the Venice Neighborhood Council, kicks off at the VNC Board Meeting next Tuesday, Nov 15.
Attendees are encouraged to bring unwrapped, non-violent toys to the VNC Board of Officers meeting, starting at 7 p.m. in the Westminster Elementary School Auditorium, 1010 Abbot Kinney Blvd. in Venice.
The giveaway will inaugurate what the VNC hopes will become an annual event in Venice.
VNC Board Member Mariana Aguilar, who heads the Toy Drive, said Venice has hasn’t had a toy giveaway that is open to the public for many years.
“We’re really looking forward to starting a new holiday tradition for our kids,” Aguilar said.
Santa will be on hand when the toys are distributed on Dec 10, during a fun-filled day for children at the Oakwood Recreation Center.
Toys can be dropped off any time through Dec. 8 at Abbot’s Habit, 1401 Abbot Kinney Blvd, and at Fabric Planet, 423 Lincoln Blvd.
Toys can also be dropped off on Friday mornings at the VNC Booth at the Venice Farmers’ Market, at the intersection of Venice and Venice Way, between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
The VNC’s recommendation regarding the construction of a 12 unit single-family Townhouse complex proposed for 522 Venice Blvd (at Venice and Mildred) will be decided at the Board Meeting.
The Venice Neighborhood Council’s Land Use and Planning Committee (LUPC) has recommended that the Board not approve the complex, citing concerns about density, compliance with an existing landscaping plan that would create a park at Venice Blvd and Ocean, and other questions about the project.
The VNC will also hear a motion requesting the City’s Bureau of Street Services to “repair, reconstruct and maintain the alleys” in Venice.
As part of this motion, the VNC commits “to work with the community to identify alleys in need of repair.”
Also scheduled for the meeting are motions that would allocate $3800 to three initiatives proposed by the VNC’s Public Safety Committee.
In Administrative matters, the VNC Board will hear from candidates nominated for Vice-President. A new Vice-President will be elected by the Board in December to fill the unexpired term of Carolyn Rios, who resigned at the Board’s last meeting.
Snacks and coffee will be provided at the meeting.
A detailed agenda will be posted on the internet at www.VeniceNC.org and at posting places in the community.
There is no charge for this event, which is open to the public.
