Need ideas to help the less fortunate during the holidays?
This is the season of giving, so I thought I’d mention just a couple of ways you can make the holidays happier for those in need.
The Fountain Valley Fire Department is once again participating in the annual Spark of Love Toy Drive through Dec. 24.
Donations of new, unwrapped toys and sports equipment are sought for the toy drive. Collection boxes are set up at the two Fountain Valley fire stations, City Hall, the Recreation Center and the Center at Founders Village.
In case you don’t know where these locations are, here are the addresses:
Fire Station 1: 17737 Bushard St.
Fire Station 2: 16767 Newhope St.
City Hall: 10200 Slater Ave.
Recreation Center: 16400 Brookhurst St.
Founders Village: 17967 Bushard St
All toys collected by the Fire Department will be distributed to needy children in Orange County.
The “Spark of Love” Toy Drive is sponsored by ABC7 television and fire departments in Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
For more information, call the Fire Department at 714-593-4430.
Also, Fountain Valley-based Bartwood Construction Inc. is holding a children’s book drive this holiday season.
You can drop off a new children’s book at Bartwood, 10840 Talbert Ave., up until Dec. 21. A donation box is in Bartwood’s front office.
Books will be delivered to Pathways, a Christian-based non-profit, which provides assistance to local homeless shelters.
And if you have books to donate but can’t get to Bartwood, call Amy Wonacott at 949 235-2302 or email her at Amy@bartwood.com to make arrangements to have someone pick up your donations.
Also, Vince Tucker, manager of the Fountain Valley Allen Tire, is collecting toys for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots. Allen Tire is at 10960 Talbert Ave.
The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November, and December each year, and distribute them as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community.
More information: Give Vince a call at 714 594-3723.