It really is Santa in there.

The toy drive will culminate in a holiday festival at Oakwood Recreation Center on December 7 from 10 am through 2 pm.

At the festival, children up to sixteen years of age present with a parent or guardian will be able to select a toy. (First come, first served.) Santa will be available for photos and kids are invited to engage in arts and crafts, play on a moon bounce and in the snow and take home books donated by the Venice Abbot Kinney Branch Library. Food will also be provided.

My big sister knows everything.

This is the third year that the VNC has sponsored The Great Venice Toy Drive with the City of Los Angeles. The VNC created the event in response to community concerns about the lack of a toy giveaway in the Venice area.

Mariana Aguilar, the driving force behind the toy drive and its team members, said: “Last year The Great Venice Toy Drive ensured that over 350 Venice kids not only had a toy for the holiday season, but also had a great day at Oakwood park. With the help of the Venice community, we hope to make this year’s event the best one yet.”