Nothing inspires the men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department more than encountering young people who demonstrate love for their community.

And this time of year, no group of young adults more clearly demonstrates that virtue than the students of John H. Francis Polytechnic High School in Sun Valley.

Despite the myriad demands of high school and their busy lives, the students, faculty and alumni of "Poly High" have come together for more than fifteen years to actively support the Spark of Love Toy Drive for Needy Children.

And let us assure you, the Poly Parrots do this in no small way!

This past week, a contingent of Poly High students made their way to the Mattel Toy Store in the City of Industry, where they proudly purchased $23,001.50 worth of holiday gifts. Not for themselves, but for those less fortunate.

Yes, we said twenty-three-thousand-dollars!

And this is no one-and-done deal...

In the past six years alone, the students of Polytechnic High have worked on campus and with business leaders in the community to raise more than $180,000.00 for Spark of Love. Year in and year out, these students remain the single largest private donor to the LAFD's Holiday Toy Program!

With a strong sense of commitment and productivity, Poly High students have crafted items for sale, held a pseudo "celebrity" auction, a talent show and even packed-the-house for a student vs. faculty basketball game, all to support Spark of Love.

With some adults perceiving a lack of character and initiative among young people, we're proud to say our friends at Polytechnic High School have proven them wrong.

We thank Mattel Toys for their support, and hope you'll join us in saluting the students, faculty and alumni of Poly Tech for their unselfish and longstanding commitment to the neediest among us.


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department