43
City cops fill 7 vehicles with toys for kids
By Shaiyla B. HAKEEM
YOUNGSTOWN
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, Patrol cars in a row. Take a look at the cops again. What’s that they’re throwing in? Children’s toys with some that even glow!
Police officers spread holiday cheer Saturday as they greeted locals who dropped off unwrapped gifts in support of their second annual Fill-A-Cruiser Toy Drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The cruisers lined the parking lot of St. Christine Church on South Schenley Avenue, demonstrating their eye-catching white strobe and red and blue rooftop flashing light bars.
That drew the attention of Youngstown resident Carrie Eckert, who was on her way to the grocery store. She thought someone may have broken the law and been detained. To her surprise, the only thing in the back seats of the patrol cars were toys.
“At first, I thought someone had gotten pulled over,” said Eckert, “There were police lights everywhere!”
After seeing the Fill-A-Cruiser signs, she briefly delayed her weekend errands to go purchase toys to bring back in support of the toy drive. She said she understands how hard the holiday season can be.
“We don’t have a lot, so we try to do good for people,” Eckert explained. “We wanted to help out the little kids that don’t have much.”
Patrolman George Wallace Jr., with community policing in the 5th Ward, said the Youngstown Police Department collaborated with the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office and the Ohio State Highway Patrol this year to broaden law enforcement involvement and extend the gift-giving to recipients in and out of the Youngstown City area. He said the toy drive was set in place to lend a helping hand to those in need and to show the neighborhood that they care.
“We just want to be able to give back to the community in a positive light– especially during the holiday season,” Wallace said. “We want to help out.”
Thanks to the support and cooperation of the public, six police cruisers and a pickup truck were filled with donated gifts to be given away as holiday presents. They also received more than $400 in monetary donations, according to Sgt. Ann Porter of the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office, who helped at the toy drive. The toys will be hand-wrapped by the police officers, then delivered to families in need.
This was the first time Holly Henry of Youngstown donated items the to the toy drive. She brought her children along to show them how to aid others through the act of donating. She said she is grateful to be able to assist others.
“This is a great thing that the police are doing,” Henry said, “and it teaches my kids about the spirit of giving.”