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YPD plays Secret Santa for businessman
By Joe Gorman
YOUNGSTOWN
It’s rare that a burglar can give as well as take away.
But that’s what happened to Elizabeth Williams on Tuesday.
Someone apparently stole Christmas presents delivered to the door of her Tyrell Avenue apartment on the West Side. So, she placed a sign on her door voicing her displeasure.
On Wednesday, city Patrolman Russell Davis was armed with $50 Walmart gift cards supplied to the department by an anonymous donor to give to people in need.
After not being able to give away any of those gift cards on his South Side beat because he was answering a lot of calls, Davis was called to Tyrell Avenue to back up another officer and respond to a burglary in progress in the building where Williams lives.
Davis found a broken window at that apartment but no one was inside. He went to leave and walked past Williams’ door and saw the notes she had taped up.
He knocked and offered her a card.
Williams was stunned.
“Thank you so much,” she said in tears before hugging Davis.
Davis said he received as much as Williams did.
“When you see them start to tear up, you know they really need it,” Davis said.
Williams said she will use the card for gifts and clothes.
The donor purchased 50 Walmart gift cards worth $50 each and gave them to the department to give away.
Officers have been distributing them through the Patrol Division and the Community Police Unit and all were expected to be given away by Wednesday evening.
One of the first was given to James Andrews at his Halls Heights home Tuesday morning. He was almost speechless.
“[Whomever] your secret Santa is, he really did help,” Andrews told officers Melvin Johnson and Joe Moran. Andrews the father of four children, added: “Words can’t describe it.”
Johnson said he asked churches and Councilman Paul Drennen, D-5th, for advice on families in his community police beat who can use the cards.
Johnson said he was thankful he was able to bless someone.
“It just kind of kindles the spirit of the season,” Johnson said.
Moran also said he was glad he had the opportunity to help, but wished he could do more.
Officers in the Community Police Unit asked some of the schools in their wards for some needy families who could use the cards, while officers on patrol gave cards to contacts on their beat they knew could use them.
Vanessa Mitchum received a card at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School on the East Side from officers Jose A. Morales Jr. and Phil Skowron. The mother of four was ecstatic.
“It’s a big help,” Mitchum said. “It brings joy to my heart.”
Sabrina Watson also was at the school when Morales and Skowron were handing out holiday cheer. She said she will use the card for gifts and for clothes for her four children.
“I’m very humbled,” Watson said.
Renee Rivers was another person who received a card at the school. The mother of twin 8-year-old girls, she said the cards will be a blessing.
“We’ll use them for Christmas gifts,” Rivers said.
Joining Davis on his South Side beat Wednesday was officer Dave Wilson, who saw a family of five kids and their mother outside their home on East Avondale Avenue. Wilson gave the mother two cards. He said he was pleased he could take part.
“It felt good to see someone in need and you can just step up and help out,” Wilson said.
Police Chief Robin Lees said he wanted to thank the anonymous donor, and stressed the fact that donor wanted to help others in the community and also foster good relations between the community and the police.