With a Spark of Love delivery, spirits are lifted and smiles return to families displaced from their homes right before Christmas.

On December 21, 2018 the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a reported flooding at the intersection of 55th Street and San Pedro Street in South Los Angeles.  Firefighters arrived to find rising water from an apparent subterranean pipeline rupture, threatening several homes.  While the LAFD crews worked to safely escort all occupants out of the homes, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power got to work assessing and determining how to mitigate the water hazard.  Fortunately, no one was injured but approximately 40 residents, to include 20 children, had to evacuate their homes due to safety concerns.

Not content to let Christmas be stopped, the LAFD and DWP worked together to ensure "Santa" delivered.  With a room provided courtesy of Radisson Hotel, they set the stage for a big surprise.  Brand new toys lined the room as the children and their families entered.  Gasps, wide eyes, smiles and then laughter fill the space, chasing away (if only for an afternoon) the sadness of the past two days. 

This event was a team effort by LAFD Central Bureau, Battalion 13, LA DWP, Radisson Hotel and most importantly, LAFD Toy-Central for the Spark of Love program.  This type of event is possible only through the generosity of all those who donate to Spark of Love.  When you see the smiles of these children and imagine the joy they experienced, we hope you too will consider donating toys next year.  Spark of Love starts the day after Thanksgiving and new, unwrapped toys/sports equipment can be dropped of at any of the 16 LAFD Fire Stations. To find the station nearest you, click HERE.