By Mary O’KEEFE

It’s that time of year when people think about buying that perfect present. This year the average American consumer plans to spend, on average, $846 on gifts, according to a survey by Experian. This same survey found that millennials (those born in 1980/1981 to the 1990s) plan to spend $1,034 on gifts, Baby Boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) spend about $811 and Gen X-ers (born between 1965-1979) spend about $711.

But there is another side to the holidays that Crescenta Valley residents recognize through their generosity – those in need.

According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, in the U.S. 35% of the homeless population is made up of families. The U.S. Census states that 14.9% live at the poverty level in Los Angeles County. In LA County in the 2015-16 school year, there were 63,000 homeless students in public and charter schools.

For some these are just statistics, but for many Crescenta Valley residents these figures are more than numbers and they want to do what they can to help. Here are some opportunities:

CV Sheriff Station Toy and Food Drive:

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Dept./CV Station has been reaching out to the public to help families in need through its Annual Toy and Food Drive. LASD has partnered with Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation to host a holiday party on Saturday, Dec. 15. The CV Park community room will be turned into Santa’s workshop where children from families in need who have already registered with the CV Station can walk through and choose toys. There will also be groceries given to families. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on hand for kids to take photos.

Donation bins have been placed at local grocery stores, including Ralphs Market in La Crescenta, and toys can also be donated in the lobby of the CV Sheriff’s Station at 4554 Briggs Ave. through Friday. Toys are still needed. For more information, contact Dep. Alex Covian at (818) 248-3464.

Early Rodders Spark of Love Toy Drive

The Early Rodders car enthusiasts are continuing their collection of new unwrapped toys for their contribution to the local fire stations’ Spark of Love toy drive. This is their 11th year of collecting and delivering toys for Spark of Love. The Early Rodders have placed donation bins at local grocery stores like Albertsons in Tujunga. Toys can also be brought to the United Artists Theater at 1919 Verdugo Blvd. on Saturday morning between 7 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. This is where the Early Rodders meet every Saturday to display their classic cars.

Early Rodders are collecting toys through the morning of Dec. 22 when the toys will be placed into classic pickup trucks and hot rods driven to LA County Fire Station 82 in La Cañada where they will be donated to the Spark of Love.

For information on the Early Rodders Toy Drive, email dsityar13@yahoo.com. Toys can be donated in the donation bins, to the Early Rodders on Saturday, Dec. 15 and Saturday, Dec. 22, or at the Fire House youth center at 2563 Foothill Blvd. on Thursday mornings (Dec. 13 and Dec. 20) from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. or on Tuesday, Dec. 18 at 6 p.m. or at St. Luke’s of the Mountains, 2563 Foothill Blvd. on Sunday, Dec. 16 from 9:30 a.m.to 11 a.m.

Clark Magnet High School

The PTA Council food and toy drive is collecting new unwrapped toys and/or non-perishable food items (no glass, please). The PTA will be accepting donations through Friday, Dec. 14 at the main office at Clark Magnet High School, 4747 New York Ave.

CHiPs For Kids

CHiPs for Kids is a toy drive sponsored by the California Highway Patrol. CHP is looking for new unwrapped toys for all ages. The toys are donated to families in need in the area covered by the Altadena CHP office, which includes La Crescenta. The toys can be donated at the CHP station at 2130 N. Windsor Ave. in Altadena. Office hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The last date for donations is Dec. 20.

Prom Plus

Through January, Prom Plus is collecting new and gently used clothes and non-perishable food items and grocery store gift cards for the Bailey Center at the Tujunga United Methodist Church. Items can be dropped off at the Prom Plus meetings held the first and third Tuesdays at Crescenta Valley High School and the second and fourth Tuesdays at Rosemont Middle School or at the Fire House youth center, 2563 Foothill Blvd. on Tuesday evenings from 6 to 9 and Thursday mornings from 7 to 9.

The holiday season is a time for families, including the community family, to support one another. All the agencies listed above thank everyone for their donations.

  Mary Okeefe