'Spark of Love' Delivery Brings Out Crowds

Children ran down the streets as they heard and saw fire engines racing to their homes today in Long Beach, as videotaped by LBReport.com.

People sang "Jingle Bells," as police officers and firefighters unloaded myriad toys and gifts for children all over the city, putting smiles on some world weary faces for the seventh year in a row.

The "Spark of Love" toy drive each year is held to collect hundreds and hundreds of toys and gifts for children who may not otherwise see much of anything under the tree, if they have one.

Toys have been collected throughout the month by businesses and agencies and taken to fire stations around the city for delivery, according to fire information officer Steve Yamamoto.

"Each year we provide toys for about 400 families and over 20 different community groups," Yamamoto said.

According to Yamamoto, teachers in the Long Beach Unified School District identify families with need and communicate that to the fire department.

"Firefighters also see hardships in the areas they serve and can recommend families," he said.

On delivery day, firefighters run their lights and sirens to deliver the gifts to the families.

Today there were fire engines, trucks and pickup trucks full of gifts, with Santa sitting in a sleigh atop one of the engines, according to video taken by LBReport.com

"We go out and spread a little holiday cheer," Long Beach fire Asst. Chief Mike DuRee told LBReport.com as packages were being loaded at El Dorado Park's storage yard.

"Our kids all come out," DuRee said, adding that the gift givers travel all over the city because there are people in all areas who could use a little help.

The whole shebang takes about seven hours, he said.

Long Beach fire Capt. Rich Brandt had a wide smile on his face for LBReport's video cameraman.

"It’s going to have a positive impact on many many families," Brandt said.