Drop off unwrapped gifts for children’s toy drive

Newport-Mesa firefighters are again participating in the “Spark of Love” toy drive, a collective effort to give toys to needy children.

From now until Dec. 24, fire stations in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa will serve as drop-off points for anyone wishing to donate toys for needy children. Toys can also be donated at CVS drugstores.

Toys should be new and unwrapped. Sports equipment is also welcome.

The Spark of Love toy drive is the only toy drive started and conducted by firefighters and has been running strong since 1993, officials said. Last year alone, more than 300,000 toys were handed out to children in Orange County.

More than 600,000 toys were collected last year from Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties.

For more information, call Brenda Emrick of the Costa Mesa Fire Department at (714) 327-7406 or Jennifer Schulz of the Newport Beach Fire Department at (949) 644-3110.

— Joseph Serna