Toys for tots combines with sweet display

The Island Hotel, 690 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, will kick off its annual U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots campaign Wednesday.

A confectionary display featuring a 6-foot candy holiday greeting card, Santa and reindeer will be on display in the hotel lobby through Dec. 31.

Pastry chef Michael Owens used more than 400 pounds of white and dark chocolate, 40 pounds of jelly beans and 200 pounds of icing to create the “edible” sculptures.

Visitors are asked to bring new, unwrapped toys valued at $10 or more to donate, or to purchase personalized chocolate display stamps. Donations will be accepted through Dec. 13.

— Sue Thoensen