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Families do Christmas shopping at two-day Salvation Army store
AUSTINTOWN
Tisha Hurst of Struthers expects to cry on Christmas morning – tears of joy, that is.
She already knows that seeing her 3-year-old daughter’s excitement when she unwraps her gifts will bring tears.
Families throughout Mahoning County can look forward to similar joyous moments Christmas Day, with the help of the Salvation Army’s Christmas assistance program.
Thousands of toys filled a store in the Austintown Plaza on Tuesday and Wednesday, when families registered for the program were invited to come do their Christmas shopping for free. The items were collected from donations by businesses, schools, organizations and individuals.
Books, puzzles, stuffed animals, clothing, dolls, games, sports equipment, and more filled the cavernous room as shoppers made their picks.
Hurst was among them, choosing items such as a baby doll and games for her daughter, Camarie.
“It’s a blessing,” she said of the Salvation Army program.
John Colmon of Youngstown was at the Christmas shop to find gifts for five of his grandchildren, who range in age from 10 to 16 years old.
“It means a lot. It really helps out,” he said. “It’s a blessing. It’s truly a blessing.”
Maggie Woodruff of Youngstown also was shopping for her grandkids. She raises her 10- and -13-year-old grandsons, Jonathan and Nathan Phipps. The boys are interested in basketball, she said, so she was searching for some sports items for them.
“I think they’re going to be very happy,” said Woodruff.
The Salvation Army’s Christmas assistance program serves about 1,800 children, and a total of about 3,000 individuals, as there are also family gifts available.
Maj. Valerie Khan, who, with her husband, Elijah, directs the Salvation Army’s Mahoning County services, said she enjoyed seeing the way people left the store happier than when they entered.
“It’s like a transformation of joy, excitement, relief,” she said. “A lot of warm hearts.”
“It’s Christmas,” she said, smiling.