Don’t forget tots while shopping

While raiding the mall for deals this Black Friday take a moment to pick up one extra gift for a child in need. Don’t worry, it won’t cost much.

The well-known cardboard boxes collecting for the “Spark of Love” toy drive are out once again at fire stations in the Newport-Mesa area and a few more locales.

Bring in new, unwrapped toys or sports equipment to any of the drop-off zones and help a less-privileged child have a happy holiday.

Drop-off locations will start accepting donations today, and the fire departments want to remind people to donate early.

“The toys just don’t get to the people on time if you donate late,” said Jennifer Schulz, spokeswoman for the Newport Beach Fire Department. “We had 100,000 toys left over last year, which was great because we had all sorts of warehouse space to store them in; but this year we don’t have a warehouse to keep them in, so we really need those donations early.”

Last year the drive collected and distributed more than 300,000 toys to children in Orange County.

More than 600,000 toys were distributed throughout Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego and Ventura counties.

Most people usually hold off purchasing a gift for charity until after all their other holiday shopping is in the bag, authorities said.

Unfortunately, any donations that come in after Dec. 18 most likely won’t make it to families until next year, Schulz said.

Considering the lack of storage space this year, the departments may have a problem finding where to keep the toys safe and sanitary for the next 12 months.

Including both cities’ fire stations, donations will be accepted at CVS Drug Stores in the area and the Newport Beach Lifeguard Headquarters at the base of the Newport Pier.

For more information on the drop-off specifications and locations call: Brenda Emrick of the Costa Mesa Fire Department at (714) 327-7406, or Jennifer Schulz of the Newport Beach Fire Department at (949) 644-3110.

Monetary donations can also be made by contacting the “Orange County Toy Collaborative” St. Vincent de Paul at (714) 288-5600

KELLY STRODL may be reached at (714) 966-4623 or at [email protected].