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Officers help kids shop, spread holiday cheer
By Sean Barron
BOARDMAN
Antonio Riley of Youngstown isn’t sure how his favorite team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, will fare during the last few weeks of the football season and beyond, but his confidence remains high.
“They’re looking kind of shaky, but I think we’ve got it,” the 14-year-old Cardinal Mooney High School ninth-grader predicted.
More certain than Antonio’s team’s fate, however, is that his holiday will be brighter, thanks to having been given the chance to select his own Christmas gifts. That opportunity was courtesy of Saturday’s Shop with a Deputy effort at Kmart, 1209 Boardman-Poland Road.
Hosting the gathering, in its 14th year, was the Youngstown-based Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 141.
Each of the estimated 40 youngsters was able to spend up to $100 on gifts. Accompanying them were between 45 and 50 Mahoning County Sheriff’s Department deputies, noted Joe Iberis Sr., Lodge 141’s president.
The event’s larger purpose was to encourage youngsters to get to know and view police officers in positive ways, and “let kids know that we’re their friends, not their enemy,” Iberis explained.
The Youngstown State University Police Department and about six members of the Boardman High School cheerleading squad also were on hand.
Assisting Antonio on his shopping expedition was John McIntyre, a six-month YSU Police Department member.
“It’s been great getting to know Antonio,” he said. “This shows that we can have a positive relationship with the public and give back in a way.”
McIntyre, who also was with the Weathersfield Township Police Department, added that he plans to spend Christmas working and with family, including a brother who is arriving from New York City.
The children and law-enforcement personnel spread throughout the store and filled shopping carts with merchandise that included a Thomas the Train set, building blocks, video games, makeup and salon kits, assorted board games, an easel, boxes of crayons and candy canes, mittens and clothing such as sweaters and coats.
Happy with a Barbie-doll set she helped select was 4-year-old Kaycee King, who also was excited about extending her good will.
“I got a Barbie and a couple things for my sister and my brother and my mom,” she said.
Sharing in the excitement were Kevin Johnson and Marta Poluse of the sheriff’s department.
“It was nice to see her buying things for herself, but also for her family. She made sure everyone got a gift,” said Johnson, who joined the department in 1991.
“This is the absolute most-fun event of the year,” added Poluse, who also is Johnson’s daughter.
In addition, Kaycee seemed to form an instant bond with Becca Choleva and Mariah Ricciardi, both of whom are Boardman High freshmen and part of the cheerleading team.
Volunteering is nothing new to Becca and Mariah, who helped Kaycee with her selections.
In addition, the two girls have served meals at the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley, they explained.
Johnson said that his Christmas will include a large family gathering. He also reflected on his larger perceptions of the holiday season.
“We should be thankful for everything we have and have achieved,” he added.