Venice Toy Drive Kicks Off

The Venice Neighborhood Council will start collecting new, unwrapped toys starting Monday at various location throughout Venice.

The toys will be distributed to local kids on Dec. 8 at the Oakwood Recreation Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at a children’s festival where kids up to 16-years-old accompained by a parent or guardian can receive presents on a first-come, first-serve basis. Santa Claus will be available for photos, offering one free photo per child for until 12 p.m. There will also be a moon bounce, arts, crafts and food at the festival. 

“Last year, the Great Venice Toy Drive ensured that over 250 Venice children had a toy for the holiday season,” said Mariana Aguilar, one of the toy drive’s team members, in a statement. “This year, with help from sponsors such as Ron’s Thursday Night Soccer Club, we hope to not only provide each child with a toy, but also an incredibly special day.”

Toys can be dropped off at various locations until Dec. 6: Abbot's Habit, 1401 Abbot Kinney Blvd., the VNC booth at the Venice Farmers’ Market (held Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the intersection of Venice Blvd. and Venice Way), and at the VNC’s Board meeting on Nov. 27, 2012 at 7 p.m. at Westminster Elementary School, located 1010 Abbot Kinney Blvd.

If you are interested in volunteering at the toy drive, please email VNC_ToyDrive@VeniceNC.org.