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Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour in Santa Clarita and Skateland in Northridge are asking for toy donations for the children of families who lost homes in the recent firestorms that plagued local area residents.

“With Christmas coming so soon, I can’t imagine how so many people can focus on coming up with money for toys when they are having to try to replace the necessities,” said Courtney Bourdas-Henn, one of Farrell’s partners. “I knew we had to do something to help so I contacted Steve Earley, Skateland’s general manager to help out as a Valley drop off location. We are hoping people will begin dropping off new or gently used toys starting this week so we can get them out to the families,” Courtney added.

Beginning Monday, November 17, Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour, located at the Mountasia Fun Center, 21516 Golden Triangle Road, Santa Clarita, and Skateland, 18140 Parthenia Street, Northridge will begin collecting toy donations. Organizers hope that many other local businesses will join in throughout Southern California to collect toys for fire victims’ children who lost their homes and now have to face the upcoming holidays. Most who lost homes lost all of their personal belongings as well.

In October, 2007 one of Mountasia’s employees lost her home in the fires that burned many homes in the Santa Clarita area. Mountasia and Skateland held a fundraisers to help the family.

According to Steve Earley, like many others, he also saw the tel evision coverage of the fires and said one of the television shots showed smoldering toys in front of one of the mobile homes that were a complete loss. He, like Bourdas-Henn wondered how these families were going to be able to cope with the upcoming holidays after losing everything.

Toys can be dropped off at either location during regular business hours for the next two weeks. Toys can be new or like new and should not be wrapped. Both Farrell’s and Skateland will be giving a special gift to those who drop off toys valued at $10.00 or more.