RPC Photo / Bob Gaetjens Tara Silk was among the shoppers at Community Christmas’ Dec. 17 gift distribution at St. Joan of Arc’s Father Stenson Center.

by Bob Gaetjens

Editor

Streetsboro -- Thanks to Community Christmas, the holidays are a little brighter for 110 families this year.

Community Christmas, organized by Pam Danner and many volunteers each year, is an effort to gather donations of clothing, food, and toys for needy Streetsboro residents.

According to volunteer Angela Reker, nearly 400 children were beneficiaries of donations from numerous individuals, businesses and organizations this year.

One of the youngest volunteers was Jessica Reker, who took on the challenge of finding donations for teenagers this year.

Danner said teenagers are the most difficult age to find gifts for.

Jessica said she took on the job as a way to fulfill her community service requirement for Confirmation.

"We had to do 15 hours of community service," she said, adding she put far more hours in. "We went around to a lot of businesses."

Jessica said the Cleveland Indians came through with a big donation, including 65 jerseys, seven signed jerseys, 36 signed baseballs, and 40 hats.

Volunteers also helped wrap present just before families took their gifts home with them. Others guided families through aisles of toys, clothing, food and other items, all sorted by age.

Giant Eagle and Streetsboro Family Days teamed up to provide a bag of fruit and candy for each family.

Father of three Gary Oravetz, one of those picking out gifts, said the program is "pretty nice."