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Mahoning County Educational Service Center puts on Polar Express event for families
BOARDMAN
It was all aboard the Polar Express on Friday at Boardman Park’s Lariccia Family Community Center, where 75 families gathered for a seasonal celebration.
The event was organized by the Mahoning County Educational Service Center and sponsored by local nonprofit organization Making Kids Count.
Help Me Grow, a county program dedicated to educating families about parenting and early-childhood development, invited its clients to the event, which featured crafts, gifts, singing, a photo opportunity with Santa Claus and a reading of the 1985 children’s tale that inspired the theme of the event.
It was “an opportunity just to have fun – to play, make some crafts and meet with the ‘Big Guy,’” said Kim Johnson, infant/toddler programs supervisor for the county agency.
The chance to meet the “Big Guy” seemed to be the highlight for the kids, many of whom ran up to Santa and tugged on his sleeve as he merrily entered the room accompanied by the sound of jingle bells.
Matthew Weimer, 2, of New Springfield excitedly jumped up and down before sitting on Santa’s lap.
His mother, Kimberly Weimer, expressed gratitude to have Help Me Grow in the family’s life.
The program provides home visits to families with children under age 5, free of charge. In addition to education about child development, the program provides support services and refers parents and guardians to community resources for children with developmental delays and disabilities, or with medical conditions that may result in a delay or disability. Help Me Grow serves roughly 400 families at any given time.
“The mission behind it is to ensure healthy development ... and ultimately, school-readiness,” Johnson said. “It’s about prepping our kids to be lifelong learners. And, of course, about health.”
“Help Me Grow has been with him since he was a baby,” said Weimer of her son. “I don’t think anyone can even imagine how important it’s been – for him, and me.”
Among the others who lined up to take photos with Santa were Kayden Sheff, 2, and mom Alex Sheff, of Youngstown. Before Santa arrived, the two worked together to make a paper-cup snowman.
Sheff said they were invited to the event by their home visitor “so Kayden can get involved with other kids, because he’s an only child.”
Noah Bailey, 16 months, calmly sat on mother Desnia Mcelroy’s lap while the two had their picture taken with Santa.
Also calm, but seemingly exasperated, was Kenise Addison, who covered her eyes with her hand during the photo opportunity as the adults around her laughed.
Her mother, Miracle Addison, said it’s a pretty typical reaction for the 1-year-old.
After meeting Santa, every child got to take home a stuffed animal from under the Christmas tree.