For the second year in a row, SoCalGas employees from the Inland Empire helped brighten the holidays for local children with donations to the 29th annual Spark of Love Toy Drive. On December 3, SoCalGas joined sponsors and supporters who helped “Stuff the Bus” with new toys at Mathis Brothers in Ontario. 

The donated toys will be distributed to children in Southern California who may not otherwise receive one during this holiday season. At the event, SoCalGas Vice President of Communications, Local Government and Community Affairs, Andy Carrasco announced an additional $20,000 donation to the initiative, saying “We know it’s rough for a lot of folks, so we are doing our part,” adding “I am moved by the generosity of our employees who collected so many toys to make this holiday season brighter for so many local children.” 

SoCalGas employees began collecting toy donations at eight bases across the Inland Empire on November 1.

All toys are being sent to the Los Angeles City Fire Department, where they will be sanitized and later distributed in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange, Ventura, and Riverside counties. 

According to Public Affairs Manager Kristine Scott, “It was great to see so many employees from our South Inland base locations come together to donate toys and sporting goods for the Spark of Love ‘Stuff the Bus,’ event. They wanted to make sure lots of kids and teens have a happy holiday. I couldn’t be prouder of our SoCalGas family.” 

Victor Lopez with the Ontario Fire Department helped organize the event and said, “Thank you SoCalGas for coming out and donating once again this year, we appreciate what you do.” 

Donations are being accepted through December 24th. For more information, or to make a donation, visit https://abc7.com/sparkoflove