- The Stark County Sheriff’s Office provided toys and clothes to more than 30 children on Saturday at Shop with the Sheriff. Among those helped was a 4-year-old Alliance boy injured in a hit-skip crash.
- The event was made possible through the Stark County Sheriff’s Office Wives Committee.
- Bicycles were provided by Autosport Plus in Stark County. McDonald’s restaurant provided breakfsat.
CANTON − Halo Manzanares-Waddle sprinted to the front of the banquet room at St. George Romanian Byzantine Catholic Cathedral to pick out a bike Saturday at the Shop with the Sheriff event.
The 4-year-old was excited to be able to move around on his own again. He recently got a cast removed from one his legs after he was injured in a hit-skip accident in September in front of his Lexington Township home.
Still searching for suspect in hit-skipStark County authorities searching for driver who struck child, fled scene
The boy was in the driveway and had run into the road, said Halo’s mother, Amber Manzanares. A vehicle described as a dark-colored four-door sedan struck the child, who suffered a broken leg and collarbone.
Stark County Sheriff George Maier said an arrest has not been made in the hit-skip case, but the investigation is ongoing.
Bills had piled up for the family following the accident when the parents took off work to care for the child. Although a GoFundMe drive was a big help, Christmas wasn’t looking like a possibility for Halo and his two siblings, Manzanares said.
“I thought he might be gone,” she said of her son after he was hit. “I was just crying and holding my baby all night because his life flashed before my eyes.
“The gift of having my child alive is worth more than anything.”
The bike and other gifts from Santa via the Stark County Sheriff’s Office spread some holiday cheer to the Manzanares-Waddle family.
“I was really a little nervous about Christmas,” Manzanares said. “I was praying that something might work out for Christmas.
“This means a lot,” she said. “We’re super grateful. It’s like a real Christmas miracle; an actual Christmas miracle is what it is − it’s awesome. I feel like I’m more excited than [the kids.]”
Shop with the Sheriff plays Santa to 35 children
Halo was among 35 children who received Christmas gifts through the Shop with the Sheriff program, which was made possible with support from the Stark County Sheriff’s Office Wives Committee.
Autosport Plus in Plain Township donated bicycles. Other contributions also were made in the community, including breakfast provided by the McDonald’s restaurants owned by John and Nancy House, who operate five McDonald’s in Stark County.
Also helping out were Walmart on Route 62, St. George Romanian Byzantine Catholic Cathedral and Newsymom.
Michaela Thomas, director of community engagement for the sheriff’s office, said this was the first full-blown Shop with the Sheriff event since 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic started.
Children who received gifts were nominated by deputies who work as resource officers in local schools, she explained. Children also can be recommended by deputies who respond to patrol calls and identify a need, she said.
“It makes it more personal,” Thomas said.
Deputies and sheriff’s office employees shopped for the children. On Saturday morning, loads of presents were delivered to the church.
Toys and clothes were provided to families; bicycles were gifted to kids selected in a drawing.
‘This is the best day of the year.’
Deputies and staff at the sheriff’s office volunteered their own time for the event, Maier said.
“It’s extremely rewarding because we do see the most challenged in our society,” he said. “So when we can give back and help those folks who are struggling, it’s very rewarding to us.”
Erich Mollohan, owner of Autosport Plus, said bicycles give the children an opportunity to play outside and spend less time on electronic devices.
“For me growing up, I remember it was the first thing I could customize,” he said.
Santa and Mrs. Claus were on hand and took photos with children. The Grinch also was popular, high-fiving kids and playing Rock, Paper, Scissors with them.
Deputies spent time with the children on Saturday, coloring pictures, eating breakfast and talking with them at their tables. Kids who received bikes couldn’t wait to try them out with help from deputies and the sheriff. Even though recipients weren’t supposed to open their gifts, a few youngsters couldn’t resist and set up a play area on the floor.
Smiles, laughter and jovial spirits filled the large room.
Shanna Novelli, a member of the Wives Committee, said Shop with the Sheriff stands out among the nonprofit group’s charitable efforts and programs. Also serving on the committee are the sheriff’s wife, Misty Maier, along with Jennifer Oliver, Lori Stantz and Jeannie Miller.
“This is the best day of the year,” Novelli said. “I love to be able to give back to the children. I love to see the excitement on their faces. It’s a very special day.”
Attending the event with her three grandchildren, Jean Frascone said the sheriff’s office helped give the kids a wonderful Christmas experience.
“It helps out tremendously,” she said of Shop with the Sheriff. “It just feels so exciting. My kids have grown up, so it’s nice to see the little ones again experiencing Christmas.”
Reach Ed at ebalint@gannett.com
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