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Helped by friends and family, Giant Eagle and Boardman Rotary
YOUNGSTOWN
Jon and Jennifer Lewis of Boardman, grateful for what the Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley did to turn around the life of their son, donated nearly 1,300 pounds of turkey to the mission for its Thanksgiving dinners.
Dhylan Spano, 19, had been kicked out of his home in North Carolina, where he lived with his mother, several times over the last two years because of his drug problems.
Spano said he was going house to house living with friends, and then, “by the grace and mercy of God,” found a ride back to Ohio with parents of a friend to rejoin his father, Jon, a Boardman Township firefighter.
“He wanted to live with me, but he had to make some life changes first. He has since been saved,” Jon said.
Spano enrolled three months ago in the Rescue Mission’s Discipleship Academy, a 12-month program.
Jon and Jennifer have three children: Jackson, 6; Derek, 5, and Blake, 21/2.
Jennifer, moved by the change in Spano’s life, heard the mission’s plea for 300 more turkeys and decided to do something about it.
Two weeks ago, she put out a message on Facebook that she wanted to buy 50 turkeys for the Rescue Mission, and friends and family responded with $1,200 — more than enough money to meet her goal.
“I said if people would donate, I would buy the turkeys and deliver them. I’m so grateful for our friends and family, and to the mission. I’d do it every day if it helps the mission,” said Jennifer, a physical therapist for MVI Homecare.
“We’ve gotten more out of this than we’ve given. Every time we walk in the door, it seems a miracle,” Jon said.
“This family really has a heart for the Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley. They and 25-plus friends and family made this possible along with a generous gift from the Boardman Rotary and turkeys donated by Giant Eagle,” said Lynn Wyant, director of development.
Jim Echement, executive director at the mission, said the Lewises are examples of the caring, generous people who live in the Mahoning Valley.
“We asked for assistance and the community stepped up. We are blessed,” he said.
Echement said the need continues to grow.
In 2013 the Rescue Mission served 114,000 meals, and in 2014, it served 165,000, putting a strain on its resources.
This Thanksgiving, it expects to serve 2,000 Thanksgiving meals from noon to 1:30 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. on Nov. 26; and on Nov. 27, Thanksgiving Day, from noon to 7 p.m. at the Rescue Mission’s Resident Building, 962 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
No reservations are required, and all are welcome to the free meal. Free parking is available in the lot across from the building.
Anyone who wishes to donate a frozen turkey or frozen ham may drop it off at the Resident Building anytime; or donations can be made at its 2246 Glenwood Ave. location from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.
To make a financial contribution, go to www.rescuemissionmv.org and click on “donate,” or mail gifts to Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley, P.O. Box 298, Youngstown, OH 44501.
For information, call John Muckridge, director of client services, at 330-744-5486.