Clintonville's Sharon Bonazzo has donated Christmas toys to children in need through southern Ohio's St. Francis Evangelization Center for 20 years.
Lewandowski originally is from Buffalo, New York — a chain-smoking truck driver-turned nun — and her message appealed to Bonazzo, who grew up just north of the Bronx and who attended State University of New York College at Buffalo.
"When I think about when I was a kid, we grew up poor," Bonazzo said."We got small, trinket-type stuff. It's so extravagant ringing up Target customers buying up to $400 worth of toys for one kid."A week after St. Francis came to pick up the last of the presents Bonazzo assembled, the long-time donor had one final task.
Her Michaels coworker Emily Richards, who grew up in the southeast Ohio village of New Straitsville, understands poverty all too well — her own family faced housing insecurity — and Richards is grateful to know someone like Bonazzo contributes to a region that faces so much hardship.A few days later, after all the stockings were assembled, a van from St. Francis arrived to pick up Bonazzo's final contribution.
When Bonazzo started this work 20 years ago, she only donated one or two laundry baskets' worth of toys. Then, a couple of years into the donations, she met a woman from Vinton County who told Bonazzo that she had just inherited five children from relatives who no longer could care for their kids.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Columbus PD, OSHP and FBI still searching for woman, child from Columbus Amber AlertMultiple agencies are involved in the still-ongoing search for a missing twin baby who police say was taken by a woman on Monday, triggering an Amber Alert.
Read more »
Photos of woman suspected of kidnapping in Columbus amber alert released by Ohio policeFive-month-old Kasson Thomas and his twin brother went missing after a woman allegedly stole their mom's car while she was filling a DoorDash order in Ohio.
Read more »
In final pre-Christmas test, balanced Ohio State handles Maine in blowout winA balanced Ohio State scoring attack led Ohio State to a lopsided win against Maine in the final game before Christmas break.
Read more »
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Captures The Festive Highs and LowsNational Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is the quintessential Christmas movie, as it captures the bittersweet holiday season.
Read more »
Coldest Christmas in decades possible for parts of US: What to expect Christmas EveBreak out your hats and gloves -- this could be the coldest Christmas in decades for parts of the country.
Read more »
Christmas At Dollywood – Bahakel Entertainment Special - Alabama NewsCHRISTMAS AT DOLLYWOOD airs Christmas Eve at 10pm on WAKA CBS8.
Read more »