Saturday, December 21, 2002
Area residents donated toys and $500 in cash.
LEETONIA -- Leetonia, Washingtonville and Salem Township police are delivering food baskets and toys today and Sunday to needy area families.
Leetonia Police Chief John Soldano said residents donated toys, clothing and about $500 in cash for the third annual Caring and Sharing project.
Caring and Sharing is a joint effort among Leetonia, Washingtonville and Salem Township police departments and the Leetonia High School student council.
Soldano said police bought about 15 food baskets with the $500 cash donations.
The high school students sorted and wrapped the toys and other donated items Friday at Leetonia Village Hall. Soldano said he wasn't certain how many families would receive the toys and clothes.
He said police obtain information from guidance counselors and other officials of the Leetonia schools about which area families would benefit from the donations.
Collection boxes
Police and the students collected new clothing, including hats, scarves or mittens, and new toys suitable for infants through teenagers by placing collection boxes at Leetonia and Washingtonville police stations, at the schools, and at several stores in Washingtonville and Leetonia.
Residents also made cash donations at the police department or directly to Soldano, Salem Township Constable Dan Valentine, Washingtonville Chief J.R. Blakeman or other area law enforcement officers.
Soldano said that with donations last year, 39 area families had new toys and new clothes for Christmas. Cash donations enabled police to buy enough groceries to provide 15 food baskets, he said.