Sunday, December 22, 2002
Many times the children use their money to shop for other members of their family.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
BOARDMAN -- Tyquon Myers sorted through the bins of cars, lining up the little packages on the floor.
He "oohed" and "aahed" about the colors and shapes, closely examining the offerings of each individual vehicle, trying to find the perfect one.
The 3-year-old had a tough time until Joseph Tanner, Mahoning County deputy sheriff, made the decision a little easier. One large box, bigger than Tyquon, held several cars and a track for them to run on. It soon found its way into the buggy.
As Tanner helped Tyquon shop, other deputies and children from Mahoning County made their way through the toy and clothes sections of Kmart on Boardman-Poland Road during the second annual Shop With A Cop program.
More than 30 children and their parents spent Saturday morning with deputies from the sheriff's department as well as officers from Austintown and special agents from the FBI.
Plenty of volunteers
The purpose of the Shop With A Cop program, which now has participating agencies nationwide, is to provide disadvantaged children with $100 worth of holiday gifts and to have them interact with law enforcement officers in a positive setting. All participating officers volunteer their time to take the children shopping.
"There were no problems getting anyone to volunteer," said Deputy Candy Guzzy, vice president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 141, which sponsored the Mahoning County event.
"They love it. They love being with the kids. I think it brings out the kid in them."
Rick Csernik, FOP public relations coordinator, said local businesses donate money and services to the program.
"McDonald's donated breakfast, the limousine companies donated the cars and drivers. All the businesses are very supportive," he said.
Capt. Stella McGuire of the Salvation Army and Jean Malandro, director of social services for the Salvation Army, said they worked to make sure each family participating in this year's Shop With A Cop had not received assistance from another agency already. McGuire said the officers who shop with the children encourage them to buy at least one clothing item and a toy for themselves, but often the youngsters use their money to shop for presents for others in their family.
"I think that's part of being a child," she said. "The idea of greediness is not a part of them yet. They want to share when something good happens."
Limousines
The four white stretch limousines from Fab, Legends, Absolute and Gold Cross limo services picked up the children and their parents at the Salvation Army on Glenwood Avenue and whisked them off for the frenzied day of shopping and entertainment.
After two hours of shopping at Kmart, it was off to the Cinemark Theatre for a movie and popcorn.
While it seemed like hard work deciding what to buy, the children and deputies were able to take some time to enjoy themselves.
Deputy Jerry Greene tried to perfect his hula-hoop skills as Ricki Williams IV, 7, pondered over which remote control car he wanted for Christmas.
Ricki and his older brothers, 11-year-old Ricky Jr. and 10-year-old Richard, each filled their buggies with clothes before officers reminded them they still had the toy department to visit.
"This is just great," Greene said as he watched Ricki IV search the toy aisles. Greene said he was asked by other FOP members to participate in the program for the first time this year and couldn't think of a better way to spend his time.
"You can't describe how good this makes you feel," he said. "It's the greatest feeling in the world."
slshaulis@vindy.com