Toys, Gifts Sought for Needy Children

A Ventura County woman is seeking donations of toys and other gifts for distribution to abused and neglected children for Christmas.

Lynda Miller of Lake Sherwood has been working with local businesses and nonprofit agencies for 15 years to collect and distribute Christmas presents. As many as 100 foster and adoptive children, ages 3 to 18, are targeted throughout the county to receive food, gifts, toys and gift certificates. She also collects food and gifts for about 10 families in the Big Brother/Big Sister program.

The children give Miller wish lists, which include items such as scooters, Nintendo games, skateboards, sports equipment, luggage, clothes and makeup.

Once the gifts are collected, Miller hosts a party at Chuck E. Cheese’s in Ventura, where Santa hands out the gifts.

Miller works with Interface Children and Family Services, Prototypes Women’s Center and Kids and Families Together to identify recipients. She places bins to collect donated gifts at local businesses, including California Oaks State Bank and Cisco’s Restaurants.

For more information, call Miller at 373-6643 or e-mail her at gisherwood@earthlink.net