Students of St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower have launched their annual toy drive to provide gifts for needy children in Norwalk, Artesia, Bellflower, Pace Elementary School, Downey Foster Care, Cerritos Valley Help Center and the Salesian communities of East Los Angeles.

Local students kicked off the drive on Dec. 4 with a two-hour toy drive at the Toys R Us store in Cerritos.

Toys collected at the store "will be distributed during a weekend morning filled with activities and goodies as Bosco students welcome the children and their families to the school campus," said campus spokesperson Kerry Dusserre. Donations to the toy drive can be made by contacting the school at (562) 920-1734 x. 256.

Meanwhile, two brothers, both Bosco students, recently received Eagle Scout Awards during a ceremony held at St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Whittier.

Senior Ricky Cruces (17) and sophomore Raymond Cruces (15) each have completed more than 200 service hours, plus Eagle Scout service projects. Ricky's consisted of managing the refinishing and painting of all doors and railings around the Whittier Community Center, while Raymond participated in refinishing and painting the visitors' bleachers at the Bosco football field.

Both are members of the Bosco cross country and track teams, and play instruments in the St. Mary's Life Teen choir.