Just over a week from Friday, Riverside Fire Department crews will be rolling out collection boxes at all firehouses throughout the city, asking residents for toys to make Christmas a little brighter for thousands of underprivileged children.
The city is joining in the region-wide “Spark of Love Toy Drive,” now in its 30th year, and collections will start on Nov. 14.
“The campaign collects any new, unwrapped toys, sports equipment, blankets and gift cards for underserved children and teens in Riverside, Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Orange counties,” according to a fire department statement. “Over the past two-and-a half decades, the Spark of Love Toy Drive has successfully collected more than 9 million toys.”
The donation drive will run until Dec. 16, and all gifts collected in Riverside will go to youngsters who reside in the city, officials said.
The following stations will have collection boxes available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily:
— Station No. 1, 3401 University Ave.;
— Station No. 2, 9450 Andrew St.;
— Station No. 3, 6395 Riverside Drive;
— Station No. 4, 3510 Cranford Ave.;
— Station No. 5, 5883 Arlington Ave.;
— Station No. 6, 1077 Orange St.;
— Station No. 7, 10191 Cypress Ave.;
— Station No. 8, 11076 Hole Ave.;
— Station No. 9, 6674 Alessandro Blvd.;
— Station No. 10, 2590 Jefferson St.;
— Station No. 11, 19595 Orange Terrace Parkway;
— Station No. 12, 10692 Indiana Ave.;
— Station No. 13, 6490 Sycamore Canyon Blvd.; and
— Station No. 14, 725 Central Ave.
If any stations are temporarily closed because crews are responding to emergencies, donors can leave gifts at the city’s primary collection point in the Cesar Chavez Community Center, 2060 University Ave.