CORONA DEL MAR TODAY

Fire Department Collecting Toys for “Spark of Love” Drive

The Newport Beach Fire Department is now accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys or sports equipment as part of the annual Spark of Love toy drive. The drive will run through Dec. 24.

Anyone with an item to contribute can bring them to a local fire station or lifeguard headquarters. Last year, more than 300,000 toys were distributed to Orange County children. The campaign, which began in 1993, includes four other counties; last year about 600,000 toys were collected. In Orange County, Spark of Love combines with Toys for Tots in collecting and distributing items.

Harbor View Elementary School first-graders are planning a field trip later this month to the Corona del Mar station to contribute items that they collect, many paid for by children doing chores to make money.