Around 1955, LBFD firefighter Murray Cohn, started collecting toys for needy kids in the area surrounding his assigned fire station. This labor of love and generosity took root and grew to other surrounding stations, thus helping the cause and providing for even more kids. Upon Cohn’s retirement, Captain Jim Salisbury took over. Then Captain Bob Caldon took on the duty of “Head Elf” for over 20 years. In 1992, a cooperative decision was made to develop a southern California regional toy drive. Known as the “Spark of Love,” local area fire departments have teamed with ABC Channel 7 for financial backing, supplies, and media coverage.
Now over 60 years later, the LBFD continues to carry on traditions from long ago, and helps hundreds of needy families each year. Through the combined generosity of Long Beach businesses and residents, each year the LBFD “Spark of Love” Toy Drive provides gifts to kids throughout our community who would have otherwise gone without. Spark of Love works in conjunction with several other charitable organizations, both giving and receiving toys and donations. Each year we are able to provide for about 400 families and over 20 different youth based community groups, thus building goodwill within our community, and providing kids with positive role models.
Teachers in the LBUSD identify special need families throughout the year. Firefighters also see hardships in the areas they serve and can recommend families. Toys are collected throughout the month at various city events, parties, from local businesses, and residents who drop the toys off at our fire stations. The program runs as a result of numerous volunteer hours put forth by our LBFD firefighters and members of the community. Delivery are made to families and community organizations throughout the month of December, culminating in our CODE 3 Delivery Day where we make rounds all through the city with Santa in his fire engine sleigh.