By Cory Russell Coordinator, Santa Monica Red Cross chapter
Dear Santa Monicans, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your generosity during the 15th Annual Spark of Love Toy Drive. In cooperation with the Santa Monica and Los Angeles fire departments and ABC/7 News, this year’s campaign was able to run smoothly and provided underprivileged families with a happy holiday experience when times are not so easy.
This year saw some very trying economic times for all of us. Nevertheless, we collected over 3,000 donated toys from the wonderful people that live and work here. With our own needs just below 1,000 toys (where we had families pick them up during the holiday season), we stocked up the upcoming year’s emergency toy supply we keep on hand for children affected by disasters, such as house and apartment fires.
We still donated nearly all of the remaining 2000 toys to other communities where their needy children received toys, sporting goods, games and gifts for the holidays.
Once again, thank you all for your generosity and compassion this holiday season. Not only were we able to provide smiles to many children here in Santa Monica and a huge relief to many needy families, but you also affected the hearts of children around the entire county of Los Angeles. Our heartfelt thanks from all of us at the Santa Monica Red Cross for your support of the Spark of Love Toy Drives and for making the 2007, campaign such a success.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 16, 2008. Read the original PDF.