Optimists need donations

The glass appears to be half empty in regard to the Agoura Hills Optimist Club's latest charity drive.

As part of their "You Can Make a Difference" campaign, Optimist members have been asking residents to donate new toothbrushes and toothpaste to children who are entering foster care.

Collected toiletries will be passed on to the MyStuff Bags Foundation to help give abused, neglected and abandoned children a reason to smile.

Since 1999, MyStuff Bags has donated duffel bags filled with comfort items and toiletries to more than 285,000 children across America.

Unlike the "Santa Comes to Agoura and Beyond" event, the Optimist Club has not had much success with its most recent campaign.

The charity drive, which lasts until June 15, has only received 300 donations, falling far short of the club's goal of 2,000.

"We can't do this alone. We need people to get involved," said George Annino, president

of the Agoura Hills Optimist Club. "This is a project that the Optimists are really behind."

MyStuff Bags give children being placed in foster care a comfort bag. The bags contain gifts such as crayons, stuffed animals, journals, a blanket made by local children and a toiletry bag packed with lip balm, shampoo, soap, combs, toothbrush and toothpaste.

All items are new, and no toy guns or other such items are included.

"The best deal for people interested in helping out is to go to a 99 cents store where they can purchase toothbrush and toothpaste together for a cheap price," said Kameron Johnson, secretary/ treasurer for the Agoura Hills Optimist Club.

The Optimist Club is also accepting monetary donations, 100 percent of which will go to buy new toothbrushes and toothpaste.

Those interested in donating new toothbrushes and toothpaste can bring the items to five drop-off locations, including the Village Center, First Federal

Bank and Postal Annex in Agoura Hills. Oak Park residents can bring donations to Bean Scene.

"Our biggest concern is helping the kids," Annino said. "Our golden rule is when we do something for someone else, we do it solely from the kindness of our heart."

To find out more about the "You Can Make a Difference" campaign, call Annino at (818) 991-1732.