Gift Wrapping to Benefit Make-A-Wish

* The San Buenaventura Women’s Club is sponsoring a gift wrap booth at The Esplanade mall off Esplanade Drive, Oxnard. Proceeds from gift wrapping services will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Tri-Counties, which grants wishes to children with life-threatening or terminal illnesses. Information: 485-1146.

Space for Sale on Cancer Awareness Quilt

* Simi Valley Hospital is selling 8-inch spaces on its Relay for Life Cancer Awareness Quilt to raise funds for the American Cancer Society. Participants are invited to pay tribute to loved ones who have survived or died of cancer. The completed quilt will be unveiled in February and remain on display at the hospital’s Aspen Outpatient Center. $5 per space. Deadline is Dec. 31. Information: 527-2462, Ext. 7309.

Gifts Sought for Children in Foster Homes

* The Independent Living Program, a group that helps children in foster and group homes develop independent living skills, is seeking donations of Christmas gifts for children in their care. Gifts will be presented at a Christmas dinner for children Thursday at the Whale’s Tail Restaurant. Information: 485-6114, Ext. 607.

Toy Drive Seeks Gifts for Children in Need

* The Ventura County Fire Department will sponsor its Spark of Love Toy Drive and holiday safety program from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at the Camarillo Town Center, Las Posas Road and Ventura Boulevard. The program will include emergency service exhibits, fire safety programs and blood pressure screenings. Donations of unwrapped toys and sporting equipment will be collected for distribution to children through the county’s Public Social Services Agency. Information: 389-9769.

Metrolink Train to Collect Toy Donations

* The Metrolink “Firefighters Spark of Love Holiday Toy Train Express” is scheduled to arrive at 9:10 tonight at the Oxnard train station, 201 E. 4th St. The public is invited to stop by and donate gifts to be collected by the Oxnard Fire Department and distributed to children in the area. Santa Claus and his helpers will arrive on the train. Free. Information: (800) 371-LINK.

Club Sponsors Annual Holiday Home Tour

* The Moorpark Woman’s Fortnightly Club will sponsor its annual Holiday Home Tour from 3 to 8 p.m. today. $10. Information: 529-5093 or 529-1598.

Donors Have Chance to Win Furby Doll

* Computer Idiot Training Centers of Ventura is offering an opportunity to win a Furby doll through Tuesday. For each $1 donation, participants will have a chance to win the doll. All proceeds will go to the Salvation Army. The computer center is at 2734 Johnson Drive. Information: 650-5981.

Blood Drive Scheduled in Simi Valley

* The Boys & Girls Club of Simi Valley will hold a United Blood Services blood drive from 1:30 to 6 p.m. Thursday at 2850 Lemon Drive. Information: 527-4437.

Bingo Fund-Raiser to Benefit Area Kids

* Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Ventura County will host a bingo fund-raiser from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday at 3503 Arundell Circle, Ventura. Proceeds from entry fees will go toward the organization, which matches children from single-parent families with adults in the community. There will be a $250 payout for most games throughout the day. Bingo will continue each Sunday. Information: 485-6114, Ext. 626.

Holiday Ball to Raise Funds for Charity

* The National Charity League of Ventura County will hold its annual Holiday Ball Fund-raiser from 5 to 10 p.m. Dec. 20 at the Embassy Suites Mandalay Beach Resort, 2101 Mandalay Beach Road, Oxnard. The evening will include dinner, a magic show, a live auction and dancing. Proceeds will go to the group’s various philanthropic projects, which include Project Understanding and the Gull Wings Children’s Museum. $40. Information: 987-1970.

Benefit Concert to Help Area Libraries

* Folk-acoustic musician Bill Hearne will present a benefit concert at 8 p.m. Jan. 16 at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. Proceeds will go toward the purchase of materials for the Newbury Park branch and Children’s Division of the Thousand Oaks Library. $20. Tickets: 499-2787 or 583-8700.

Participants Sought for Arts, Crafts Festival

* The Conejo Recreation and Park District is registering vendors for its 12th annual Spring Art and Craft Festival on March 13 and 14 at the Borchard Community Center in Newbury Park. The cost for vendor space is $75 for two days. Proceeds will support the community center’s programs. Information: 381-2791.

*

Community Chest, a weekly listing of charitable fund-raising events, is compiled by Leo Smith. Please address items, with a publishable telephone number to Community Chest, Los Angeles Times, 93 S. Chestnut St., Ventura 93001. Items can also be faxed to The Times at 653-7576 or 653-7548.