Spring marks the kickoff of the annual NuVision Federal CreditUnion Spring Toy Drive to benefit Children's Hospitals of OrangeCounty and Los Angeles.

This year the $1.3 billion credit union based in HuntingtonBeach, Calif. has also partnered with Chick-fil-A restaurants inCosta Mesa and Santa Ana to serve as addtional collectionsites.

As an added incentive, Chick-fil-A has agreed to provide freechicken sandwiches to anyone stopping by its restaurants to donatea new toy.

NuVision Federal Credit Union will be collecting new, unwrappedtoys donated by its employees, members and the general publicthrough the end of May.

“Toy donations from the community are needed year-round, notjust during the holidays,” said L.J. Tarman, vice president ofmarketing/public relations. “NuVision is proud to once againsupport the Children's Hospitals of Orange County and Los Angelesas they help make hospital stays a little less stressful for thechildren in their care.”

Children's Hospitals of Orange County and Los Angeles offergroup activities in their numerous playrooms as well as bedsideactivities for pediatric patients. They also help patients andtheir families celebrate special occasions such as holidays andbirthdays in the hospital.

According to Tarman, while the generous toy donations receivedfrom the community are needed for children of all ages, there is aspecific need for toys geared toward children under the age of fiveand teens.

“We would also like to thank Chick-fil-A restaurants for joiningforces with us this year to make our annual Spring Toy Drive forpediatric patients in Southern California the best ever,” hesaid.