Coordinating Council Starts Christmas Drive

The Buena Park Coordinating Council will be expanding its hours and is seeking cooked hams and gifts for families this year.

Barrels for toy donations are being set up at police and fire stations as one of the city’s biggest charities gets its Christmas drive underway.

Adell Colombini, director of the group, said gifts are needed for all ages: “Let’s put it this way: I’m 80 years old and I still like getting Christmas presents. I don’t have anything for the teenagers and it’s a shame.”

Colombini is used to assembling food baskets. During the rest of the year, she helps coordinate donations from the city’s civic groups and residents to make sure the hundreds of families living in poverty have something to eat.

Residents who want to help should drop off a new, unwrapped present for a child of any age. After Dec. 1, the Coordinating Council will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at its office at 6871 Beach Blvd.

Information: (714) 521-3771.