Valleywide : Collection of Toys for Needy Continue

With Christmas less than two weeks away, the effort to bring toys to needy San Fernando Valley children is intensifying.

On Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Buck McKeon (R-Santa Clarita) teamed with the Loaves and Fishes charity to sponsor a toy drive in Van Nuys. Loaves and Fishes, which has given food and clothing to more than 10,000 homeless and low-income families since 1988, reported that about 200 toys were contributed.

A Christmas toy event 12 months in the making is planned for today in Van Nuys. Warren Burnette and Roger West, who manage a Van Nuys apartment building, are hosting the last of their nine toy drives of 1996.

In July, the pair held a “Christmas in July” party to benefit the Los Angeles Fire Department’s annual toy drive. In all, 1,354 toys were donated that day, and Burnette and West say they have collected more than 2,500 toys over the year.

They plan to present fire officials with the toys at today’s event at the apartment building, 15353 Weddington St. In return for donations of new, unwrapped toys, guests will be treated to food and live music.

In West Hills on Sunday, members of the Los Angeles Galaxy soccer team and the Laser Tag Dream Team will attend a Toys for Tots laser tag event from noon to 6 p.m. at Q-Zar’s Fallbrook Mall location, 6633 Fallbrook Ave. Anyone bringing in a new, unwrapped toy worth $5 or more will be able to play against the team of laser tag experts.

In conjunction with the event, Hale Middle School in Woodland Hills is holding a contest to see which homeroom can collect the most toys. The winning room will earn a laser tag pizza party hosted by Q-Zar.