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Area kids shop with cops for holidays
By Sean Barron
BOARDMAN
Mykajah Martinez started jumping with excitement when she was at the Salvation Army building in Youngstown and saw her mode of transportation pull up.
After all, it’s not every day that the 5-year-old Youngstown girl goes on a shopping expedition via limousine.
And it’s not exactly a daily occurrence to have a Mahoning County deputy sheriff accompany her.
But that was how Mykajah’s day began, because she was one of an estimated 90 selected youngsters to be part of Saturday’s annual “Shop with a Cop” event that took place at the Boardman Kmart, 1209 Boardman-Poland Road.
Hosting the event were Fraternal Order of Police Lodges 28 and 141. Also represented were the Youngstown and Boardman police departments.
Deputies and police officers accompanied 40 children with the Salvation Army and 50 from Youngstown City Schools, along with their parents, on the shopping adventure through the store. Each child was able to spend up to $100, noted T.J. Assion, Lodge 141’s president.
Beforehand, the children had breakfast with the deputies at a Canfield fast-food restaurant, then traveled by limousine and police escort to Kmart.
Part of Mykajah’s money was spent on various toys and a stuffed animal, said her mother, Nicole Corpening.
Many youngsters also got to visit Santa Claus and meet Mercy, one of two police dogs with the sheriff’s department.
With little hesitation, the children selected items that included dolls and doll accessories, model-car sets, Wii video games, clothing and a Dallas Cowboys clock and T-shirt. A few youngsters, such as 11-year-old Shawn Rollins of Youngstown, weren’t shy about letting others know their sports team loyalties.
“I’m a humongous Steelers fan,” said Shawn as he added a football to a shopping cart that already contained several pairs of pajamas and a Steelers scarf.
“I’ll let it slide,” Deputy John Tomaino, a Cleveland Browns fan, replied with a chuckle.
Tomaino, a 15-year deputy, added that he was grateful to reach out to the youngsters and see their happiness.
A laptop and an MP3 player were on the list of 9-year-old Shaniya Rollins, Shawn’s sister.
“It’s fun, and he’s cool,” Shaniya said of being with Tomaino.
Also with the children were their mother, Christian Hairston.
Sisters Keyonna and Lashanda Floyd filled their cart with everything from a new Uno Attack card game to pairs of shoes. Both said they were thankful to be part of the event.
Beyond giving kids an opportunity to buy a favorite toy or article of clothing, Saturday’s shopping experience provided the youngsters with a chance to view police officers in positive ways, noted Lisa Beam, a 16-year deputy who accompanied Keyonna and Lashanda.
“They get to see another side of us,” said Beam, who’s also Lodge 141’s secretary. “They’ll remember this, and we will too.”
Assion said he was deeply touched by the generosity of the youngsters, many of whom bought gifts for others. He also cited the increased number of children in need this year.
“It’s heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time,” Assion said. “This is where we show our compassion for and give back to the community.”
“It’s just as much fun for us as it is for these guys,” added Bob Russo, a 15-year deputy.
After the shopping trip, it was on to Cinemark Movies 8 in Boardman, where the officers and children were treated to a movie.