In December, FilmL.A. joined with several local film production companies and entertainment vendors to take part in a second annual “Angel Tree” holiday toy and basic needs drive. The drive, which was organized by Location Manager Jennifer Dunne of the Warner Bros. Television drama “Stalker,” brought together a dozen industry partners to aid Para Los Niños, a not-for-profit organization based in Downtown Los Angeles.
Para Los Niños (“For the Children”) has worked for more than thirty years to create academic success and social well-being for children. They offer high-quality education integrated with family support, mental health services and community engagement opportunities to thousands of children living in at-risk-neighborhoods in L.A. County. Approximately 7,500 children and families served by their programs annually.
Para Los Niños provided participating organizations with a list of requested toys and supplies, which at FilmL.A., staff members translated onto paper ornaments naming specific gifts the children hoped to receive. The ornaments were used to decorate an “Angel Tree” from which staffers could select items to purchase and donate. In addition to specific gift items, many basic needs items such as toothbrushes, hair-brushes, combs, hair ties, diapers, baby wipes, formula, baby food and baby clothes were requested and delivered.
Donations from FilmL.A. were picked up on December 12th for delivery to the organization. In addition to “Stalker” and FilmL.A., other organizations that took up collections included: the production team from “Scandal,” ABC Legal, Bear Creek Studio Rentals, Bluemoon Studio Services, Ferguson’s Location Library, Location Managers Guild of America (LMGA), Mapthisout.com, Reel Security Corp., Reel Waste & Recycling and The Board Patrol.
“It is extremely important that the film business recognizes the City where we live and work and all of its residents,” Dunne observed of the outpouring of assistance. “It brings me great joy to see the amazing participation our industry is willing to give back throughout the holiday season!”
Those who wish to learn more about Para Los Niños can do so on the organization’s website: http://paralosninos.org/