Fire Department and Red Cross Join for "Spark of Love" Toy Drive

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 familles.

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, December 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 Street;
• SMFD Station #2, 222 Holister Avenue;
• SMFD Station #3, 1302 19th Street and
• SMFD Station #5, 2450 Ashland Avenue.

Gifts and toys can also be dropped off at the Santa Monica City Hall 1685 Main Street and at the Public Safety Building, 333 Olympic Drive (behind City Hall).

Spark of Love collection points include local hotels, which will all have drop-off toy drive containers.

• The Fairmont-Miramar, 101 Wilshire Boulevard;
• Shangri-La Hotel, 1301 Ocean Avenue;
• 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 Street

Spark of Love donation containers can also be found in Albertson's at 2627 Lincoln Boulevard and 3105 Wilshire Boulevard and at both Santa Monica CVS Drug stores, 2505 Santa Monica Boulevard 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, please 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.

The American Red Cross of Santa Monica is a publicly supported, 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that provides health and safety education, youth services, CPR and first aid training, disaster awareness and disaster relief efforts.

For additional information or to inquire about programs or assistance, call 310-394-3773 or go online at www.redcrossofsantamonica.org.