Beanies' big day

--Jenna Bordelon

MAGNOLIA PARK -- Bags and boxes of Beanie Babies were taken to their

new homes Monday by firefighters working to give local kids a special

Christmas. Kathy Schamber, the owner of All Balloony at 1016 Hollywood

Way, gave stuffed plush and costumed pets from Ty Products to Kelly

Chulick from the Burbank Fire Department. All those brand-new bunnies,

dragons, bugs and bears will go to the "Spark of Love" toy drive for

distribution around the city. Schamber said she got the idea to donate

the toys after seeing her husband in and out of the hospital during the

last year. She said his getting better made her appreciate all the good

things they have. More than 250 Beanies and Attic Treasure animals were

donated. To donate a new, unwrapped toy to the drive, drop one or two off

at any fire station from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Dec. 24.