Campaign Assists About 25,000 Children, 6,200 Families
MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 14, 2022
Spark of Love Toy Drive Sets Record Thanks to Generous Community
Campaign Assists About 25,000 Children, 6,200 Families
CAMARILLO, Calif. – Generous community members, businesses and organizations provided toys and gift cards to a record 25,000 children in Ventura County through the 2021 Spark of Love toy drive by the fire departments of Ventura County and ABC7.
Spark of Love organizers worked with 75 nonprofit organizations to distribute about 140,000 toys and gift cards to children who otherwise might have gone without a gift during the holidays.
Food Share, the county’s local food bank, joined the campaign in 2021 and provided boxes of food to more than 6,200 of the families served through the drive.
The Fire Departments of Ventura County partner directly with local agencies and organizations to ensure the most vulnerable children and their caregivers experience a moment of joy during the holidays. Working directly with the County of Ventura’s Human Services Agency ensured that thousands of youth served by various programs, including Homes with Heart VC, a program of Ventura County Child & Family Services were able to receive help.
“It is inspiring and heartwarming to see the outpouring of support from our local fire people, businesses and community members.” said Jaci Johnson, Program Coordinator at the County of Ventura’s Human Services Agency. “We are so thankful that our youth and families in need had the benefit of receiving these generous donations.”