The Collection partners with local fire departments for Spark of Love Toy Drive
The Californer/10100295

OXNARD, Calif. - Californer -- This year marks the 28^th Annual Spark of Love Toy Drive, and The Collection at RiverPark is partnering with the fire departments of Ventura County and ABC7 to help safely collect toys and distribute them to children in need.

Each year, Spark of Love brightens the holiday season for local families by providing presents for children who might otherwise have nothing to unwrap. Last year, over 60,000 toys were donated to Ventura County's Spark of Love Toy Drive, supporting more than 6,000 local children and over 30 nonprofits. This year, due to the pandemic, donations are needed more than ever.

This is The Collection's second year partnering with local fire departments for Spark of Love. To help the toy drive continue safely during the pandemic, The Collection will be hosting drive-thru toy drop-offs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 4, 11, 18 and 25. Those who would like to donate a new, unwrapped toy should drive up to the designated drop-off location, located in The Collection's parking lot along U.S. Highway 101.

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The Collection will also be providing a space for Toy Central, where the donated toys will be sanitized and stored until they are distributed to local nonprofits. Donations of new, unwrapped toys will also be accepted at Toy Central, located at 600 Collection Blvd.

Several of the businesses at The Collection will also be collecting toys for Spark of Love, making it easy and convenient for visitors to donate as they shop. In addition, donations can be dropped off at The Collection's Guest Services lobby, located at 2751 Park View Court.

"Every holiday season, the toys collected through Spark of Love bring so much joy to local families, and this year the need is greater than ever," said The Collection's Marketing Manager, Jill Almonia. "We are honored to be able to partner with this wonderful cause to make a difference for children in our community."

To learn more about the Spark of Love Toy Drive, visit https://vcfd.org/spark-of-love-toy-drive. For more information about The Collection, go to http://www.thecollectionrp.com.