Sunday, December 18, 2016
By Shaiyla B. HAKEEM
YOUNGSTOWN
Icy roads didn’t stop people from sliding through the East Side of Youngstown Saturday to pick up free holiday goodies.
The East Side Block Watch hosted its annual holiday toy giveaway in its headquarters at 1000 Oak Street. Residents showed up with bags in hand to gather items to help them during the upcoming winter months. Toys were individually wrapped and separated according to gender and age groups. Winter coats and sweaters lined clothing racks waiting to be taken home by a new owner. Block watch volunteers, adorned with Santa hats, helped those in need find age-appropriate toys for their kids and matched them with properly sized winter jackets.
Walking back and forth, ensuring everything was going smoothly, was East Side Block Watch Coordinator Annie Hall. Most who entered the building referred to Hall as “mama,” due to her apparent nurturing demeanor and giving spirit. She urged people to take what they wanted and wouldn’t let them walk out the door without first grabbing a brown paper grocery bag full of food items.
“We try to give people the things that they need,” Hall explained, “Everyone is always welcome here. We are here every day, and even on days we aren’t here, I can make a special trip in.”
She said the late George Vukovich, former Youngstown mayor, asked her to help form the city’s block watch during the early 1980s. She was willing and eager to do so, but she made sure the organization was built on a good foundation, which included a building to conduct business out of.
According to Hall, she told Vukovich, “Listen, I need a place to have meetings and stuff.”
Vukovich listened.
At the time, the current East Side Block Watch location was an empty building that had been used as the Youngstown Fire Department Station No. 2 (B), having closed Sept. 8, 1980. The building was occupied by the Block Watch during its initiation and has been its headquarters ever since.
Though Saturday’s event was focused on giving away toys for the holidays, the group’s doors are always open to whoever is in need. The group offers clothing, shoes and food on a daily basis. This is a community service that Hall envisioned more than two decades ago. She explained that when the Block Watch first began, she had a food giveaway. A lady asked her a question that changed the way she thought of community service forever.
“She asked me if we had any coats ... and we didn’t,” Hall explained in an emotional tone, “So I gave her the coat off my back.”
She began to bring in slightly worn coats and clothing from her home to share with her fellow neighborhood members. This gesture has grown into a daily clothing giveaway with items donated from an array of sources.
“Now, most of the coats here still have the tags on it!” said Hall.
This was Youngstown resident Roshaunda Howard’s first time visiting the Block Watch for holiday items. She accompanied her grandmother, who told her about the community event. She thinks the Block Watch is doing a great service for others and was impressed by the items that were available to choose from. Howard was able to find a jacket for herself and her son.
“This is awesome that they provide winter coats for kids,” said Howard.
One of the volunteers helping on Saturday was Renita Baker of Youngstown. She found herself unemployed three years ago after her job went under due to various changes in the economy. Instead of just sitting at home, Baker decided to use her time in a way to make the lives of others better.
“It’s nice to know that there’s a place people can go to get food and clothes that they need,” she said, “This has helped out so many people over the years.”
The East Side Block Watch is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Hall encourages everyone to stop by and pick up things they can use this winter season and throughout the year.