The Santa Monica Fire Department and the Santa Monica Red Cross have joined together to bring some holiday cheer to local low income children and their families.
The occasion is the annual “Spark of Love” toy drive. Unwrapped toys, books and gifts can be dropped off at any of a number of “Spark of Love” collection sites no later than Saturday, Dec. 23. Volunteers will then distribute donations to local families and social service organizations in time for the holiday.
Sites where gifts, toys or donations can be dropped off include the Santa Monica Red Cross, 1450 11th Street; SMFD Station #1, 1444 7th St.; SMFD Station #2, 222 Holister Ave.; SMFD Station #3, 1302 19th St. and SMFD Station #5, 2450 Ashland Ave.
Gifts and toys can also be dropped off at the Santa Monica City Hall 1685 Main St. and at the Public Safety Building, 333 Olympic Dr. (behind City Hall).
Spark of Love collection points include local hotels. The Fairmont-Miramar, 101 Wilshire Blvd.; Shangri-La Hotel, 1301 Ocean Ave.; Loews Santa Monica Beach at 1700 Ocean Ave.; The Carmel, 201 Broadway; Hotel Oceana, 849 Ocean Ave.; Shutters on the Beach, 1 Pico Boulevard; The Georgian Hotel, 1415 Ocean Ave. and Doubletree Guest Suites, 1707 4th St. will all have drop-off toy drive containers.
Spark of Love donation containers can also be found in Albertson’s at 2627 Lincoln Blvd. and 3105 Wilshire Blvd. and at both Santa Monica CVS Drug stores, 2505 Santa Monica Blvd. and 1411 Lincoln. Toys. Toys and gifts can also be dropped off at US Bank at 23rd Street and Santa Monica Boulevard. For Information on volunteering, donating or collection sites throughout Santa Monica, call Jerry Washington at the American Red Cross of Santa Monica at (310) 394- 3773, extension 112. The “Spark of Love” Toy Drive is sponsored by KABC (7), Southern California Firefighters, CVS Drug Stores and other supporters.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 16, 2006. Read the original PDF.