Santa’s Helpers

Agencies and businesses across Orange County are collecting toys and food to distribute to needy children this holiday season. Here are some of the projects:

COUNTYWIDE

* Seventy law firms are accepting contributions for the Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots charity. Gifts may be dropped off at participating offices. Information: Orange County Bar Assn., (714) 440-6700, or Legal Network Staffing Services, (714) 752-8800.

* Mimi’s Cafes are collecting toys to benefit Children’s Hospital of Orange County. Unwrapped gifts worth $5 or more may be dropped off in the lobby of any of Mimi’s 10 Orange County restaurants. Deadline: Dec. 23. Information: (714) 730-9057.

* Knott’s Berry Farm is offering free weekday admission to anyone who brings a new toy worth at least $10 to the Buena Park amusement park. Gifts will go to needy and hospitalized children in Orange and Los Angeles counties. The California Highway Patrol is co-sponsoring the program through its CHiP’s for Kids program. The Knott’s offer is good through Dec. 24, Mondays through Fridays, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. People who want to participate but do not wish to go to Knott’s may drop off unwrapped toys at CHP offices in Orange County. Information: (714) 892-4426.

* Firefighters across Orange County are collecting toys through Dec. 23 for the “Spark of Love” campaign for needy children. Contributors may drop off new unwrapped toys and sports equipment at fire stations or Sav-On stores. Information: (714) 254-4022.

ANAHEIM, BREA

* Campus clubs at Esperanza High School are collecting toys for the Brea Police Department’s Operation Santa Claus program. Participants may drop off unwrapped gifts at the school, 1830 N. Kellogg Drive, Anaheim, or the Brea Police Department’s Records Division, 1 Civic Center Circle, Brea. Deadline: Dec. 18. Information: (714) 779-1083.

* Anaheim’s fire and police departments on Sunday will hold their 11th annual “Caroling for Cans” holiday drive. Personnel in decorated fire engines and police cars will

canvass neighborhoods to pick up canned goods for the needy. Canned items and new toys may also be dropped off at any Anaheim fire station; the Anaheim Police Department, 425 S. Harbor Blvd.; and the Salvation Army, 201 E. Cypress St. or 1515 W. North St.

Foods in pop-top-style cans, one-dish

meals such as canned chicken or tuna,

baby food, baby formula and canned milk are preferred, organizers said. Information: (714) 254-1918.

COSTA MESA

* Orange Coast College is collecting gifts for needy and abused youngsters through its Angel Tree Project. The program, in its 12th year, distributes gifts through the Orange County Social Services Agency. Unwrapped gifts for children of all ages, from infants to teens, may be dropped off at the Associated Students College Life Office from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays. The campus is at 2701 Fairview Road. Deadline: Dec. 13. Information: (714) 432-5507.

IRVINE

* Irvine Valley College’s Honor Society is sponsoring a holiday toy drive for AIDS victims at Children’s Hospital of Orange County. New, unwrapped gifts may be dropped off during the society’s next meeting at 4 p.m. Dec. 13 in the college’s Computer Science and Technologies building, Room B-304, 5550 Irvine Center Drive. Cash donations to buy toys also will be accepted. Toys are needed for children ages 19 months to 17 years. Information: (714) 451-5660.

LAGUNA NIGUEL

* Toys for Olive Crest Homes and Services for Abused Children will be collected from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Mangia Bene Restaurant. New, unwrapped gifts may be donated for foster children of all ages, from infants to 18-year-olds. The restaurant is at 27281 S. La Paz Road. Information: (714) 492-9640.

Source: Individual programs