Countywide : Legal Profession Will Help Drive for Toys

The Orange County Bar Assn. and the Legal Network Inc. have joined forces to collect new toys for disadvantaged Orange County children during the holiday season.

The organizations will be placing boxes at interested law firms to get the county’s 9,000 attorneys and thousands of other legal workers involved in the annual U.S. Marines Toys for Tots drive.

“This really is a chance for attorneys to open their hearts and their pockets,” said Daniel Wampole, general manager of the Legal Network, an employment agency for the legal community. “Nothing gives you more joy than putting a smile on a child’s face.”

The Bar Assn. is participating in the campaign for the second year; the Legal Network has joined the effort for five years. Last year, their combined efforts collected 1,000 toys. The Marines’ overall countywide total was 80,000 toys.

This year, with a concerned eye toward the poor economy, the county’s recent fires and the rising number of homeless families, the group hopes to double last year’s collections.

“More than ever, there are children right here in Orange County who need help, and a lift that a Christmas gift can give,” Wampole said.

Collection boxes will be dropped off at participating legal businesses Nov. 29 through Dec. 1, and will be picked up the week before Christmas. For information, call the Legal Network at (714) 752-8800.