Firefighters, schools join Spark of Love

Angelique Flores

FOUNTAIN VALLEY -- The Fire Department has launched its seventh annual

Spark of Love holiday toy drive.

Fire stations throughout Southern California have set up boxes to collect

toys as part of the statewide program. This week, the Fountain Valley

Fire Department rounded up about 500 toys. Last year’s drive brought in

108,000 play things.

“This year, I hope to surpass that,” said Kathy Williams, a spokeswoman

for the Fountain Valley Fire Department.

And the department just might do that. The drop boxes already are

overflowing, creating somewhat of an obstacle for firefighters walking

around at the station.

“It’s a good problem to have,” said department spokesman Joe Cucinotti.

“It shows how people are really generous.”

Spark of Love was kicked off earlier in the month with a countywide

caravan of honking fire trucks.

“Christmas is really hard on people who don’t have much money,” Cucinotti

said.

The toys will be donated to needy children all over the state, including

those who are victims of fires. Some of the toy donations from residents

make their way back into a needy part of the community. And for more than

eight years, Fountain Valley firefighters have used their antique fire

truck to deliver the goods to the local children themselves.

To aid the firefighters in their toy collection, Tamura Elementary School

and Carden School have set up their own drop-off boxes. Tamura has been

participating the program for three years.

On Friday, firefighters will pick up what they’ve collected, arriving in

one of their bright red fire trucks.

“We want our children to be aware of the less-fortunate,” said Kathy

Selleh, Tamura’s principal.

Throughout the school year, Tamura tries to make students aware of those

less-fortunate through classroom service projects. The Spark of Love toy

drive is just another way the school is able to reach out others in need.

“Anything we can do to teach children to give gifts to others and show

compassion,” Selleh said.

Unwrapped new toys can be dropped off at fire stations and participating

Sav-On Drugs and Subway eateries until Wednesday. Toys accepted after

this date will be used for next year.