Santa Trades In His Sleigh For A Bus

Dec. 12, 2011
Annual Stuff-A-Bus event provides toys to children in need.

Santa Claus is coming to town in a bus and is looking to Orange County to help fill it with toys. The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is teaming up with ABC7, Honda Center and the Anaheim Ducks to support the Spark of Love toy drive by stuffing buses with toys.

The annual Stuff-A-Bus event will take place from 4:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 16 at Honda Center in Anaheim. The public is encouraged to bring new, unwrapped toys and sporting equipment to the parking lot at Honda Center, 2695 E. Katella Ave.

Toys collected will be distributed to children in the local community. Last year, two 60-foot, 22-ton OCTA articulated buses and three additional 40-foot buses were filled with approximately 13,000 toys.

"Bringing joy to our loved ones, our neighbors and those who are in need is a great way to start the holiday season," said OCTA Chair Patricia Bates, also the Fifth District Supervisor. "If you are able, donating even one toy can bring a smile to a child's face and brighten the season for a family in Orange County."

Garth Kemp of the ABC7 Morning News will be on-site to greet the public and broadcast live throughout the day.

For 20 years, ABC7 and firefighters from Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties have come together to support the Spark of Love toy drive for children in Southern California.