REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
AND RECORD OF ACTION
December 19, 2023
FROM
DAN MUNSEY, Fire Chief/Fire Warden, San Bernardino County Fire Protection District
SUBJECT
Title
Participation in the 2023 Spark of Love Toy Drive
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Acting as the governing body of the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District:
1. Find that the 2023 Spark of Love Toy Drive serves a San Bernardino County Fire Protection District purpose of community outreach and meets the social needs of the citizens of San Bernardino County Fire Protection District, as the Toy Drive receives funds, purchases, collects, and distributes new, unwrapped toys and sports equipment to non-profit organizations for distribution to underserved children and teens, as well as directly to underserved children and teens in San Bernardino County.
2. Authorize San Bernardino County Fire Protection District to participate in the 2023 Spark of Love Toy Drive by:
a. Providing space and staff time in support of the 2023 Spark of Love Toy Drive, including staff time for fundraising and purchasing new toys and sports equipment, as well as accepting toys and supplies from ABC7 and its sponsors.
b. Using any money donated to the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District for the 2023 Spark of Love Toy Drive to purchase new toys and sports equipment to be provided to non-profit organizations for distribution to underserved children and teens, as well as directly to underserved children and teens in San Bernardino County.
(Presenter: Dan Munsey, Fire Chief/Fire Warden, 387-5779)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies and Stakeholders.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of the recommended actions will not require the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). Minimal San Bernardino County Fire Protection District (SBCFPD) resources will be used in support of the 2023 Spark of Love Toy Drive and any costs will be funded within SBCFPD’s 2023-24 budget. In addition, the television station ABC7 and its sponsors will provide some toys and supplies, as well as media coverage of the regional 2023 Spark of Love Toy Drive.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
ABC7, Southern California Firefighters, and other sponsors are celebrating the 31st Anniversary of the Spark of Love Toy Drive. The Spark of Love Toy Drive collects new, unwrapped toys and sports equipment during the Holiday Season for underserved children and teens in Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. SBCFPD (including SBCFPD’s predecessor) has participated in the Spark of Love Toy Drive since 2005. Toys collected in the county may be distributed locally by SBCFPD to non-profit organizations for distribution to underserved children and teens, as well as directly to underserved children and teens in the county.
On October 3, 2023 (Item No. 57), the Board of Directors (Board) found that the 2023 Spark of Love Toy Drive serves a San Bernardino County Fire Protection District purpose, approved SBCFPD’s participation in the 2023 Spark of Love Toy Drive, approved the 2023 Spark of Love Toy Drive Participation Agreement template between SBCFPD and the non-profit organizations, and authorized the Fire Chief/Fire Warden or the Deputy Fire Chief to execute the 2023 Spark of Love Toy Drive Participation Agreement template with the non-profit organizations. The 2023 Spark of Love Toy Drive will last through December 24, 2023.
This item clarifies that the 2023 Spark of Love Toy Drive also involves the public generously donating funds to SBCFPD in support of the Toy Drive, which allows SBCFPD staff to then purchase new toys and sports equipment, as well as distribute them to non-profit organizations. As a result, the elements of the 2023 Spark of Love Toy Drive program in Recommendation No. 1 find that this Toy Drive serves the SBCFPD purpose of community outreach and meets the social needs of the citizens of SBCFPD. Recommendation No. 2 clarifies that SBCFPD may participate in the 2023 Spark of Love Toy Drive by providing space and staff time, including staff time for fundraising and purchasing new toys and sports equipment, as well as accepting toys and supplies from ABC7 and its sponsors; and using any money donated to SBCFPD for the 2023 Spark of Love Toy Drive to purchase new toys and sports equipment to be provided to non-profit organizations for distribution to underserved children and teens, as well as directly to underserved children and teens in the county.
County Standard Practice No. 06-02SP requires Board authorization of a fundraising program and to submit a fundraising program report at the request of the Board or County Administrative Office. While the Spark of Love Toy Drive is coordinated by a for-profit entity, ABC7, the toys collected or purchased by SBCFPD using funds donated to SBCFPD, will be distributed as indicated in Recommendation No. 2.b.
The 2023 Spark of Love Toy Drive Participation Agreement template between SBCFPD and the non-profit organizations that was approved by the Board on October 3, 2023, remains unchanged and will be in effect from the date the agreement is approved by both parties through January 14, 2024, to ensure all donated toys have been distributed. The agreement template includes standard indemnity and insurance provisions, as well as a release provision in favor of SBCFPD and the County. The agreement template also provides the Fire Chief/Fire Warden the right to terminate the individual agreements with or without cause with 10 days’ notice, as well as the authority to represent SBCFPD in all matters pertaining to the services to be rendered under the agreement.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Scott Runyan, Principal Assistant County Counsel, 387-5455) on November 21, 2023; Finance (Tom Forster, Administrative Analyst, 387-4635) on November 29, 2023; and County Finance and Administration (Valerie Clay, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on November 30, 2023.