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‘Stuff a Cruiser’ will benefit families in need

Police officers from area law enforcement agencies, the Quaker Lodge FOP #88, along with members of Ohio CAN (Change Addiction Now), held the first Stuff a Cruiser event at the Salem Walmart store on Saturday. Pictured, from left are, Kim Spencer of Ohio CAN, holding 15-month-old Atreyu Lloyd, whose mother died earlier this year, Salem Police Det. Brad Davis, Perry Township Officer Jordan Reynolds, Columbiana County Deputy Willie Coleman, Salem patrolman and K-9 handler Mike Garber with K-9 Simon, Salem Police Chief J.T. Panezott, Brenda Hamilton, co-founder of Ohio CAN along with Cindy Koumoutzis who was not present, Columbiana County Sheriff deputy and K-9 handler Alan Young and K-9 Jesy, Salem Officer and K-9 handler Steve LoRosa with K-9 Argo, and Santa Claus, James Cain of Doylestown. The event collected donations of toys and/or clothing for families in need. (Salem News photo by Larry Shields)

SALEM — A “Stuff a Cruiser” was held at the Salem Walmart Saturday to benefit Columbiana County families in need.

Sponsored by Ohio CAN (Change Addiction Now) Columbiana County, the Salem Police Department, the Quaker Lodge FOP #88 and the Columbiana County Sheriff’s office, the event ran from noon to 6 p.m. Special guests were K-9s Simon and Argo of the Salem Police Department and Jesy from the sheriff’s department.

“I’m thrilled with the support we’re getting,” said Salem Police Chief J.T. Panezott. He was referring to the backing of law enforcement and Ohio CAN, a statewide organization founded in Salem by Brenda Hamilton aimed at bringing together people “who are determined to help remove the stigma of addiction and advocate for solutions to treat the brain disease of addiction.”

Salem Police officer and K-9 handler Mike Garber, president of the Quaker Lodge FOP #88, said this was the first year for the “Stuff a Cruiser” event, noting the FOP includes members from eight area police departments.

The Quaker Lodge is working with the Columbiana County Department of Job and Family Services, local schools and Ohio CAN to come up with the children needing help. A list of suggested items is posted on the police department Facebook page. Donations will be accepted at the Salem Police Department through Dec. 1.

Members of the Ohio CAN (Change Addiction Now) co-sponsored a Stuff a Crusier event at the Salem Walmart store on Saturday along with the Salem Police Department, the Quaker Lodge FOP #88, and the Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office. Ohio CAN members, from left, are Kim Spencer of New Waterford, with Atreyu Lloyd in the stroller; Chris Zeigler of Girard, Brenda Hamilton of Salem, co-founder of Ohio CAN along with Cindy Koumoutzis who was not present; and Santa Claus, James Cain of Doylestown. The event collected donations of toys and/or clothing for families in need. (Salem News photo by Larry Shields)

Garber said that Hamilton came up with the Stuff a Cruiser idea about a month ago and asked the Salem police and FOP to help.

“I just thought we meet a lot of people who are raising grandchildren and who are in foster care. We reached out to the Salem police. You have to work together in a community,” Hamilton said.

“We threw all our resources at this event,” Garber said — adding that just about every Salem police officer was expected to attend Saturday’s event. “We’ve had overwhelming support from the officers and the community,” he said. “Since we got started today, there have seen many people stopping by giving donations. All the toys and donations go towards kids and the cash donations for additional toys.”

Hamilton founded Ohio CAN in May 2014 along with Cindy Koumoutzis. The organization has grown to 3,843 “We’ve been doing really good,” Hamilton said. Koumoutzis was in Washington, D.C. last week speaking with congressional representatives.

“We try to do everything we can legislatively,” Hamilton said. But she stressed the real work is in the community where Ohio CAN’s mission is “to embrace, educate and empower families and communities impacted by substance use.”

Visit Ohio CAN on Facebook for more information.

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