LEETONIA Law enforcement serves up charity with students' help

Leetonia High School students are collecting toys and clothes for families.
By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
WASHINGTONVILLE -- Patrons of Mason's Steak House will have the opportunity to give police the orders.
Police Chief J.R. Blakeman, Salem Township Constable Dan Valentine and Leetonia Police Chief John Soldano will take orders and bus tables Saturday at Mason's Steak House beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Mary Ann Mason, owner of Mason's, said her service staff will donate a portion of their tips that day for the local Caring and Sharing project.
Caring and Sharing is a joint effort of the three police departments and the Leetonia High School student council to provide food, clothing and toys to needy families in Leetonia, Washingtonville and Salem Township during the holiday season.
"Since Mary Ann's staff is willing to give up a portion of their tips to help us, we felt it would only be fair to help them out," Valentine said. "We are asking people to come to Mason's on this date to help us raise money for our communities."
Mason's Steak House is at 38135 state Route 14 just west of Washingtonville.
What's being collected
Drop boxes for new clothes and toys and nonperishable foods are at Mason's and several other area locations. Police are also accepting cash donations they will use to buy groceries and fill food baskets.
The high school students collect food, clothing and toys, and will meet Wednesday at the Leetonia Police Department to wrap the toys.
The chiefs will fill their cruisers with the food baskets, clothing and toys a few days before Christmas and deliver them to needy families in their areas.