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Struthers hosts annual Christmas party Saturday evening
Struthers’ third annual party was sponsored in part by Shop with a Cop
By EMMALEE C. TORISK
STRUTHERS
Hailey and Hannah Iamurri were prepared as they stood in line Saturday evening, waiting to snag a few precious minutes with Santa Claus.
As dozens of children waited ahead of them, the 6-year-old and 4-year-old, respectively, rehearsed their Christmas wish lists amid blasts of holiday songs at the city’s third annual Christmas party, which was sponsored in part by Struthers Shop with a Cop.
For Hailey, a first-grader at Struthers Elementary School, her wish was simple: a “baby puppy.”
Her younger sister, Hannah, wanted one, too — along with a Barbie Dream House and, a perhaps more unusual request, to turn 5 years old.
Jill Iamurri, the girls’ mother, explained that Hannah’s birthday is the day after Christmas.
She also noted that they’ve attended the party for the past three years, and that the combination of Santa Claus’ visit and numerous giveaways ensures that it’s a hard event to miss.
“The community makes it great for the kids,” she said. “It’s all free for all the kids.”
Several hundred children, along with their parents, attended Saturday’s party, which was from 7 to 9 p.m. at St. Nicholas Church Great Hall, said Capt. Pat Bundy of the Struthers Police Department.
All were treated to pizza donated by Marco’s Pizza on Midlothian Boulevard in Youngstown and had the opportunity to interact with local mascots such as Scrappy, from the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, and Pete the Penguin, from Youngstown State University.
Treat bags — containing toys, cookies and candy — also were distributed to children, while larger items, such as bicycles, were part of a free basket auction and were raffled during the event. Area businesses and individuals donated to the event.
“It’s a way to help these kids out,” Bundy said, “and a way to give them a little something extra for Christmas.”
Denise Collingwood, who also helped to organize the event, added that the Christmas party is a great way to kick off the third annual Shop with a Cop, too. This year’s shopping day is today.
The Shop with a Cop program — which gives underprivileged elementary, middle and high- school students the chance to shop with members of the city’s police and fire departments, and is driven entirely by donations — can reach only a limited number of children, she said.
Each child receives $100 — and must spend half on clothing and half on whatever he or she wants. Those children who participate are often referred by teachers and school officials, as well as by members of the police department.
About 90 children between Struthers and Lowellville are expected to take part in this year’s event. This is Lowellville’s first year partnering with Struthers for Shop with a Cop.
The Christmas party, however, is open to all of the city’s children, Collingwood noted.
“The kids that don’t get chosen, they can still come to the party and still visit with Santa Claus,” she said. “The party keeps getting bigger and bigger every year.”
Carol A. Crytzer, Struthers councilwoman at-large, should know.
She’s attended the party for the past three years, and is hopeful that it will continue — and will continue to grow. Both the party and the Shop with a Cop program are much appreciated by the community, particularly by those who “can’t really afford to have a nice Christmas,” she said.
“But even if things pick up, and even if times get better, it’s nice to have the community together like this,” Crytzer said. “I just hope everybody has a merry Christmas.”