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Police, firefighters take kids on Christmas shopping spree
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Capt. Stacy Karis of the Lowellville Police Department helps Reese Agee, 5, of Poland pick out a shirt during the Shop with a Cop program at Walmart in Boardman on Sunday. About 90 children in need took part in the event, in which they were accompanied by police officers and firefighters, mostly from Struthers and Lowellville, to shop for clothes, toys and other items. “It’s all about giving back to the community,” Karis said.
By Sean Barron
BOARDMAN
Danielle Bable took her time selecting Christmas gifts for herself, but her favorite aspect of the holiday doesn’t fit into a shopping cart.
“Celebrating Jesus’ birthday,” the 10-year-old Struthers Elementary School fourth-grader said when asked what she feels is the most meaningful part of Christmas.
Another special holiday feature for Danielle was being one of an estimated 90 youngsters age 1 to 18 in need who were part of Sunday’s third annual Shop with a Cop event at Walmart, 1300 Doral Drive.
The gathering paired eligible children with police officers and firefighters, most of whom are from Struthers and Lowellville, who accompanied them on the shopping expedition.
After arriving at Walmart via limousine, the children were given $100 each, about half of which they spent on clothing. The other 50 percent was used to buy toys and whatever else they wanted, noted Capt. Pat C. Bundy of the Struthers Police Department.
Also acting as chaperones for the program were parents and business people, Bundy said.
Danielle’s chaperone was Samantha Ditman, a three-year Struthers firefighter who helped her pick out gifts that included a skirt, belts, a fingernail set and a light-up journal and pen.
“I will celebrate Christmas with my family and eating dinner,” Danielle added.
Ditman, who also tutors elementary schoolchildren struggling with math and reading, said one of the most rewarding aspects of Sunday’s shopping effort is the difference it makes for the young people.
If you wondered what football team 7-year-old Riahnna Edwards holds in the highest esteem, a simple peek into her shopping cart provided the answer.
“The Pittsburgh Steelers!” the excited Struthers Elementary School second-grader said while gripping a mug containing the team’s logo.
Riahnna and her father, Erik Wesley, also filled their cart with gifts such as animal-themed body pillows, glow-pet toys, a bathrobe and other clothing and DVDs.
Nevertheless, perhaps the most-special part of this Christmas for Riahnna will be celebrating with a new family member: her 7-month-old sister, Arianna Edwards.
Other gifts participants chose included toy cars, pairs of shoes and socks, doll sets, scrapbooks, a firefighter play set and a pool cue.
“How about a really awesome hat? It would go really good with these pants,” the Rev. Douglas Theobald said to 7-year-old Luis Gonzalez Jr.
The Rev. Mr. Theobald, part-time pastor of Struthers United Methodist Church and a firefighter with the East Cleveland Fire Department, accompanied Luis and showed him a light-green-and-black-striped cap. Luis, who also attends Struthers Elementary, seemed to agree that the cap would be a good match with a pair of sweatpants the two were thinking of buying.
Also happy to assist with the shopping endeavor was Denise Collingwood of Struthers, who helped oversee the volunteers and coordinated the effort.
Collingwood, who said her daughter, Elizabeth Collingwood, came up with the idea, added that the Shop with a Cop program is especially important for families who may have suffered a job loss and are struggling financially.
“I love doing this,” she said. “The Struthers community has been good to me for 35 years. It’s time to give something back, and this is one step in that direction.”
Earlier Sunday, participants were treated to breakfast at an Arby’s restaurant on Youngstown-Poland Road, then taken to Walmart.
The Struthers Police Department’s Bundy said he wished to thank Fab Limousines Inc., Gold Cross Limousine and Jubilee Limousine for providing transportation.