Behind the Badge
Nearly 30 empty buses pulled into the Honda Center parking well before sunrise Friday, Dec. 16.
Those same buses drove off Friday night packed with brand-new toys; All will end up in the hands of needy children by Christmas.
The 24th annual Spark of Love Toy Drive once again was a success.
Sponsored by the Orange County Transportation Authority, ABC7, Honda Center and Anaheim Fire & Rescue, along with fire agencies from throughout the county, the massive “Stuff-A-Bus” event was the culmination of a toy collection drive that began after Thanksgiving.
Firefighter/Paramedic Mike Patterson of Anaheim Fire & Rescue joins other firefighters as they unload boxes of toys during the Spark of Love Toy Drive at the Honda Center.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
“It’s been a great partnership,” said Anaheim Fire & Rescue Chief Randy Bruegman. “We start working the logistics of this about six months out, as far as how we are going to set it up. ABC 7 is excellent to work with and it’s just such a great cause.”
Collection bins were in place at fire stations countywide along with a variety of other locations.
Fire engines early Friday delivered the toys from stations to the Honda Center, where they then were loaded into OCTA buses by volunteers, many of whom were firefighters, cadets and explorers from Anaheim Fire & Rescue.
The buses hauled the merchandise, which included board games, dolls, stuffed animals, bicycles, Razors and sporting goods, to a central warehouse, where they will be organized and distributed by the Orange County Toy Collaborative to various OC nonprofits.
Some of the toys collected for the Spark of Love Toy Drive.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
“It’s really a tremendous effort every year, and it’s a great cause,” said OCTA spokesman Joel Zlotnik. “We love doing it. It’s great at the end of the night knowing how many people are going to have a better Christmas because of this.”
Alysha Del Valle and Bri Winkler of ABC7 broadcasted live throughout the day, greeting the public and urging those watching on TV to come out.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department, the U.S. Marines and spirit squads from Cal State Fullerton, UC Irvine and Long Beach State had a major presence as well.
In addition to donations from public and private agencies, the general public also turned out by the hundreds to drop off toys.
Fire chiefs including (from left) Jack Thomas, Orange, Tom Schultz, Garden Grove, Randy Bruegman, Anaheim, and Tony Coppolino, Fountain Valley, talk to ABC7 traffic reporter Alysha Del Valle on live television during the Spark of Love Toy Drive.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Many youngsters showed up with a single toy, which could be enough to put a smile on a child’s face on Christmas.
Rasha Hammoud of Anaheim and her 9-year old daughter, Dahlia, have been volunteering at the event for the past three years, helping any way they can.
“I do it to share my love with others,” Hammoud said. “It’s about the joy and love. If we don’t do this, who will do it for them? I wish everybody a merry Christmas.”
Several Santa Clauses were on hand, but none making a bigger impact than the Santa who rolled in on an orange Harley, festooned in garland and Christmas lights.
Another group walked over from nearby Rancho Del Rio at the Anaheim Equestrian Center, with three horses clip-clopping alongside.
“It brings out a lot of different elements of the community,” Bruegman said. “It’s really kind of a celebration all day of the culture that makes up Southern California. It’s all about helping people that are in need.”
Firefighters line up to fill OCTA buses with toys for the Spark of Love Toy Drive at the Honda Center.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Anaheim Fire & Rescue Chief Randy Bruegman talks to Santa at the Spark of Love Toy Drive.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Cheer team members from Cal State Fullerton, left, and Long Beach State gather for the Spark of Love Toy Drive at the Honda Center.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Firefighters line up to fill OCTA buses with toys for the Spark of Love Toy Drive at the Honda Center.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Anaheim Fire & Rescue Cadet Isaiah Turner, center, helps other firefighters move boxes of toys.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Fire trucks and engines from Anaheim, Garden Grove, Orange City, Huntington Beach and Orange County line up in front of toys collected for the Spark of Love Toy Drive at the Honda Center.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
