Annual Spark of Love Toy Drive to Support Families in Need

(VENTURA, CA) – Nov. 20, 2020 – The fire departments of Ventura County are partnering with Homes with Heart VC and showing support in a big way this holiday season with their annual Spark of Love Toy Drive. Last year, Ventura County’s Spark of Love toy drive supported more than 6,000 children and over 30 non-profits. This year, there is a much greater need, with requests to serve over 9,000 local children and youth.

“This is my favorite time of the year and the best part of my job,” said Crystal Stratton, Community Relations Program Administrator at the Ventura County Fire Department. “Together we can keep the spark of love alive for children in Ventura County this season.”

With so many families celebrating the holidays a bit differently this year, Homes with Heart VC is encouraging the community to help make the holidays extra special for children and youth in care by donating new unwrapped toys or sporting equipment at a drop off location near you. The Spark of Love Toy Drive runs through December 24th with a number of events including a contactless drive thru at the holiday light show at the Ventura County fairgrounds.

“We are so excited to partner with our local fire department for such an incredible event to help brighten the holidays for our families in need,” said Jaci Johnson, Program Coordinator III in Recruitment at County of Ventura, Human Services Agency. “Our children and youth in care need community support now more than ever, and we’re thrilled to be a part of this experience with them.”

For more information about Spark of Love and to find out where you can drop off your toy donations, visit vcfd.org/sparkoflove.

About Homes with Heart VC

Recognized as a best practice leader statewide in the family recruitment and support component of child welfare, Ventura County Children and Family Services’ Homes with Heart VC, previously known as Foster VC Kids, was developed to increase the amount of loving resource families who are ready to take in children in need in Ventura County.

This initiative provides resource families with ongoing support services, trauma-informed training, and mentorship to enhance the safety, permanency and well-being of Ventura County’s youth and families.

Learn how Ventura County Children and Family Services’ Homes with Heart VC is making a difference throughout Ventura County, www.homeswithheartvc.org.

About Spark of Love

Starting in 2016, the Southern California Spark of Love toy drive partnered with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program. This nationwide program has been collecting and distributing toys since 1947.

For nearly three decades, Spark of Love has successfully collected more than ten million toys for underserved children and teens in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange, Ventura and Riverside counties. Toys collected in the respective counties are distributed locally.