Last Saturday morning, 27 kids from area families had the chance to do some Christmas shopping for themselves and their families at Target in Streetsboro. The children hailed from a dozen local families in the Crestwood and James A. Garfield School Districts. Special shoppers were on hand to help them select their gifts and make their purchases. And while those special helpers certainly used their mad holiday shopping skills to help the kids make their lists and check them twice, these helpers were definitely not jolly old elves from the North Pole, but rather, the caring men and women of the Hiram and Garrettsville Police Departments volunteering their services to help underprivileged kids and their families have a brighter Christmas.
Hiram Police Chief Brian Gregory shared his gratitude to Streetsboro Target for hosting the event, “but most of all, thanks for partnering with us to make a special day possible for the children who attended,” he marveled. Target also provided the coloring books, drawstring backpacks, snacks and juice boxes for the children. “We love having the opportunity to help out,” beamed Target’s Store Manager, Michelle Eackelbary. “These kids are just great, and being able to help them have a brighter holiday with their families is why we love being a part of it.”
The chief also gave a shout out to the team of family and friends who volunteered their time to wrap and tag the children’s gifts in festive attire, along with police officers from both departments and Hiram’s Mayor Lou Bertrand, who helped the kids choose their gift selections. “This is a very special program that we hold dear to our hearts,” Chief Gregory beamed. He noted that former Hiram Police Chief Ed Samec started this 7 years ago. Chief Samec was in attendance this year, in reindeer antlers and excited to help kids with their shopping lists. After a fun-filled morning of shopping and wrapping, everyone was invited back to Hiram Christian Church for lunch, which was provided by AVI Foods and the Hiram Kiwanis.
Each year, both the Hiram and Garrettsville Police Departments work tirelessly to raise funds to help make area children’s Christmases a little bit brighter. To make a donation to help fund these efforts, call the Hiram Police Station at (330) 569-3236.
