‘Trees’ Sponsor Gifts for Children in Need

County representatives have joined volunteers from various churches and organizations to sponsor a gift and fund-raising drive to benefit children in foster care and those who are victims of abuse and neglect.

Residents shopping at major malls in Ventura, Oxnard and Thousand Oaks can give cash or donate an unwrapped gift after selecting an ornament from a “Giving Tree” placed at each location, sponsors said.

The ornaments are paper gingerbread figurines, each containing the name of a boy or girl between infancy and age 12. Volunteers are manning booths at each tree to answer questions and accept donations.

The program runs through Dec. 22.

“It’s wonderful that many religions, races and organizations are involved in this program. This past week, the Conejo Valley Hanukkah Festival had everyone donate a toy to the Giving Tree as an entrance requirement,” said volunteer Anne Burke.

DeAnn Wall, program coordinator at The Oaks mall in Thousand Oaks, said county firefighters have participated the last two years by collecting toys.

Many families have gotten involved as a means of teaching their children the importance of community service.

Booth volunteers are affiliated with many churches and organizations, including the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Lutheran and Baptist churches, the Westlake Women’s Club and Camarillo Newcomers.

The program is sponsored by the Ventura County Children and Family Services office and the Children’s Services Auxiliary.

For more information, call Karen Parle at (818) 706-3063.