Members of the Early Rodders get ready to head to Los Angeles County Fire Dept. Station 82 to deliver the toys and clothing for the station’s Spark of Love drive.
By Mary O’KEEFE
For the 11th year, the Early Rodders gathered toys and delivered them, in their very classic way, to Los Angeles County Fire Dept. Station 82 for the fire department’s Spark of Love toy drive.
The Spark of Love toy drive is a campaign that in 2017 celebrated 25 years of giving. The campaign is held by firefighters throughout Southern California.
The Early Rodders was established in 2001 as a group in which car enthusiasts can gather and exchange “gear head” information. There are over 100 members who bring their classic cars to events like the Crescenta Valley Hometown Country Fair, Montrose Movie Night and the July Montrose Annual Car Show.
Early Rodders gathered toys from members, families and friends. Member Victor Lucchesi’s daughter-in-law Maria is a kindergarten teacher in Pasadena. As in years past, her kindergarten class donated several toys.
Early Rodders offer many thanks to the kindergarteners and their teacher.
Dwight Sityar, Early Rodders’ spokesman, had planned the Dec. 23 delivery of the toys to Station 82.
“This year we requested an escort from the fire department,” Sityar said.
Sityar said he contacted Jean Maluccio of the CV Chamber of Commerce for help. He was surprised when not one but five vehicles showed up to escort, including fire engines and paramedic vehicles.
Sityar said the Early Rodders were overwhelmed.
“There was silence [from the drivers] as they drove from the United Artists Theater [in La Cañada] to Station 82,” he said.
As they traveled down the street, people clapped and one yelled, “Santa Claus is coming to town,” Sityar said.
This year, there was an increase in the number of items donated, so the Early Rodders were able to fill six 55-gallon boxes and two hot rod pick-up trucks with goods. Not only did the Early Rodders collect toys but also clothing, including lots of socks, T-shirts and incidentals for teenagers.
“The response was fantastic,” Sityar said.
The items donated will be dispersed to underserved children and teens in the Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange, Ventura and Riverside counties.
The Early Rodders meet every Saturday morning at 7 a.m. at the parking lot of the UA Theaters in La Cañada.
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