By Mary O’KEEFE

Tomorrow, Friday, Dec. 11 a toy and food drive will be held by Crescenta Valley Instrumental Music and Prom Plus Club, along with the Fire House youth center. Toys collected will benefit the Glendale Police Dept. and Glendale Police Officers Association and the food will benefit the Bailey Center in Tujunga.

Each year, the GPD and GPOA “adopt” families in need. Teachers and staff of Glendale Unified School District, as well as GPD officers and other law enforcement personnel, provide names of recipients. The families are first given Christmas trees then gifts to help make the holidays happier for all.

Since the pandemic began, the Bailey Center has seen the need for donations increase three-fold. It serves local families as well as anyone who comes for support.

Anyone who would like to donate can do so on Friday, Dec. 11 by bringing a new, unwrapped gift and/or non-perishable food item to St. Luke’s of the Mountains Episcopal Church/Fire House youth center at 2563 Foothill Blvd. in La Crescenta. The donations will be collected at the parking lot off Cross Street just east of Rosemont Avenue.

Drop off times are from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information email mary@cvweekly.com.