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Food, clothing giveaway honors memory of Newton Falls man who helped others
By Sean Barron
WARREN
Sharon Lane recalled a Newton Falls High School ninth-grader who had moved in his freshman year from Kansas but who had no friends — that is, until her son, Dale A. Settle Jr., reached out to him.
“He sat by himself in the lunchroom,” the Newton Falls woman recounted.
It wasn’t long, however, before Settle took it upon himself to talk to and get to know the newcomer while helping him feel welcome in his new environment. Other peers soon followed suit and befriended the new student, Lane explained.
In addition to having helped the youngster adjust and feel more comfortable at his new school, Settle’s gesture is a natural byproduct of his caring and giving nature, many who knew him say.
Settle, a 2007 Newton Falls High graduate, continued to inspire, help and encourage others, including people he didn’t know, until he was shot to death while protecting two friends during a robbery Sept. 22, 2011, as the trio was en route to a Bible study. He died the next day at age 22.
More than three years after his death, many people continue to benefit from his legacy, including those who came to the D.A.L.E. Foundation’s fourth annual clothing and food drive and distribution Saturday at Warren’s Central Fire Station, 111 South St. SE.
D.A.L.E is an acronym for “Do A Little Extra.” The foundation aims to spread and encourage random kind acts, Lane said.
The two-hour gathering’s main purpose was to honor Settle and keep his memory alive, she explained, noting that an estimated 250 people have benefited each year from the effort.
Lane recalled that on another occasion, Settle heard about a fellow church parishioner who needed help moving to another home. Even though he didn’t know the woman, he assisted her anyway, his mother continued.
“She said, ‘I didn’t know who he was, and he just showed up,’” Lane added.
Attendees with vouchers took home bags containing $10 vouchers for turkey dinners, along with applesauce, cans of dried beets, stuffing and soup mixes, boxes of chicken and noodles and other foods. In addition, many received articles of clothing such as coats, T-shirts, scarves, blue jeans and shirts.
Recipients included Lisa Cruz of Warren and her neighbors, Lisa and Courtney Mathews, all of whom were grateful for what they received.
“This is a blessing,” Cruz said, adding that a stranger handed her a voucher for the event.
“It’s a good way to start Thanksgiving,” added Lisa Mathews, who is Courtney’s mother.
On Friday, an estimated 25 volunteers filled the bags, and roughly 15, including several children, assisted with Saturday’s clothing and food drive.
Helping distribute the coats and hand out candy were Bryce Gross, 7; his sister, Mackenzie Gross, 10, both of Hartford; Austin Mariani, 7; and his 9-year-old brother, Andrew Mariani.
When he was killed, Settle was about three months from graduating from the University of Akron with a degree in business management, noted his sister, Jackie Braccio, of Altamont Springs, Fla. At the same time, he was working as a cook at an Akron area Outback Steakhouse restaurant and hoped to obtain a career in real estate, Braccio explained.
Another way Settle planned to help others was to start a mission at his church, Faith Family Church near Canton, where he also was a youth-group leader, she continued.
“He was a very giving person,” Braccio said. “He was always doing something for other people, and we’re trying to turn a tragedy into something positive.”
What is one of the many ways Braccio has benefited from her brother’s generous, unselfish and kind ways?
“He helped me pay off my student loans,” she said, fighting back tears.