MAHONING COUNTY Local minister organizes fund to assist furloughed deputies

The church pastor said contributions are tax deductible.
SALEM -- The Rev. Leo Ugran, who informally ministers to Mahoning County jail inmates, has established an emergency fund for laid-off deputies to provide cash or food -- or both.
"They're going to have a rough time without the income they're accustomed to, some may lose cars or houses," the Rev. Mr. Ugran said Monday. "There could be a lot of family break-ups. I want to bring attention to their situation."
What happened
Mahoning County Sheriff Randall A. Wellington laid off 31 deputies last month and plans to lay off 120 more Dec. 19. The next round of layoffs would be halted if, by the end of the month, county commissioners impose a half-cent sales tax that voters rejected Nov. 2.
Mr. Ugran said he and his wife, Gail, of Benton Road, are both ordained ministers and attend Tri-County Church of God at 139 Broadway Ave., Salem. He said they also operate Helping Hands Ministry, which distributes food to needy families.
"We've been blessed, and this is our way to give back. We'll write the first check," Mr. Ugran said. "If there's no help, it's going to be a terrible situation, especially if 120 more [deputies] are laid off."
Where to send funds
He said anyone wishing to help deputies can send a check made out to Tri-County Church, P.O. Box 796, Salem 44460. He said to note on the check that the donation is for Mahoning County deputies.
"I think it could help a lot of people. If you have a good job and lose it, there's a catch-up period," the Rev. Francis Burkhart, pastor of Tri-County, said Monday of the emergency fund set up by Mr. Ugran. "We appreciated getting the word out to help these guys."
The Rev. Mr. Burkhart said the contributions are tax deductible and the church provides receipts for donations of $250 or more. For tracking purposes, the checks must say for Mahoning County deputies, he said.
Mr. Ugran said deputies who apply for assistance will be given cash to help them pay bills -- house, car, utilities and so forth. He said he will coordinate his efforts with the sheriff's department.
To supply deputies with food, donations by check can also be sent to Helping Hands Ministry, same church address. Food would be delivered to deputies' homes each week, Mr. Ugran said.
Food is stored
Mr. Burkhart said Mr. Ugran stores some food at his home and some at the church, which also runs a small food pantry for the needy.
Mr. Ugran said deputies will be given what they need -- food or cash or both. "Isn't it a wonderful idea to help these people, these families, especially in this season of giving?"
Mr. Ugran said he was prompted to create an emergency fund after noticing how few deputies were at the jail when he went to minister to inmates. He said his appointments would be canceled when there weren't enough deputies to bring inmates to visiting rooms.
"Everybody is mad as heck at everybody over there," Mr. Ugran said of the jail. "Everybody knows help goes to inmates but now they should think about the deputies."
Wants to join group
Mr. Ugran informally ministers to Mahoning County jail inmates and said he wants to join the ministry that conducts a variety of religious services on Sundays.
Lyle Orr, executive vice president of Organization of Protestant Men, said he was contacted by Mr. Ugran to join the jail ministry. Orr has been jail chaplain for 21 years.
Mr. Ugran, 64, said he retired in 1984 from American National Insurance in California. He and his wife moved to Salem, where he has family, in 1986.