College Team Seeks Toy Drive Donations

The Ventura College men’s basketball team, coming off back-to-back state community college championships, knows the spirit of winning.

This holiday season, the Pirates are in the spirit of giving.

The team will sponsor a toy drive at its home game Saturday against Imperial College.

Spectators 12 years and older can receive free admission to the 7:30 p.m. game if they bring an unwrapped child’s toy valued at $5 or more. (Regular admission is $5 for adults and free for children under age 12.)

“It gives our players a sense of understanding about giving back to the community,” said Virgil Watson, now in his second year as the team’s head coach.

Because this is the first year the team has held a holiday toy drive, Watson said he would be content if at least 200 toys are donated by the anticipated crowd of 1,500 people.

“Anything we get is a plus--it’s better than nothing,” he said.

The toys will be collected by the team’s Booster Club and donated to a local children’s aid organization to be announced at the game.

The Pirates (8-3) also hosted the team’s first canned food drive Nov. 9 during an intrasquad game. More than 400 pounds of food was donated by the 800 fans in attendance, Watson said.

Saturday’s game will be at the school’s gymnasium at the corner of Central Campus Way and Pirate Way.

For more information, call 654-6390.