Orange County Register

The Orange Fire Department is participating in the Spark of Love Toy Drive through the year, said Ed Engler, deputy fire marshal.

Spark of Love is a holiday toy drive that distributes donated gifts to needy children throughout the community. Gifts are needed, especially in this economy.

“Gift-giving was strong last year in spite of the economy. There are probably more needy people than in years past to give the gifts to,” Engler said.

Anyone can drop off a new, unwrapped gift at any fire station in the county. Dropping off gifts past Christmas is OK, as they will be used for distribution later.

ABC-TV is a main partner along with CVS Pharmacy stores. Volunteers from the Orange Park Acres Trailblazers help along with grade-school and junior-high children from the Orange Park Acres community, Engler said.

“We came up with the idea of getting the kids involved – they’re learning about how to help other people who are less fortunate,” he said.

Every five to seven days, volunteers fill a large Ford van to deliver gifts to the distribution center in an old warehouse on the former El Toro Marine station, Engler said.

The 4-foot-by-4 boxes at each station can be filled in a matter of days.

“As we get closer to Christmas, the boxes overflow every day, sometimes several times a day,” he said.

Engler has worked with another program the Fire Department has, which takes Santa to the hospital.

“It’s extremely heartwarming,” he said. “You come away from that with a completely different outlook on things. You go home and hug you kids and just feel really grateful for everything you have.”

– Kristen Salazar and Rachelle Yeung

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