BROOK PARK, Ohio — The opioid epidemic claims the lives of thousands of Ohioans every year with many leaving families and children behind.
A local non-profit is stepping in to help bring joy to those children during the holiday season.
Project Noelle’s Cuyahoga County chapter held its annual Christmas gift distribution at the United Methodist Church of Brook Park Saturday.
The organization was founded four years ago by Keli Clark, a mom in the Sandusky area who lost her daughter, Noelle, to the opioid epidemic.
Since then, chapters of the organization across the state and in Florida have helped children touched by the epidemic with their annual Christmas gift distribution and other events held throughout the year.
Robbie Slapnick of Cleveland is one of the people being helped by the organization.
“I have four grands that are my life. So I do everything I can resource-wise to provide Christmas besides what their beautiful mom does,” said Slapnick.
She said it’s hard to make ends meet and make sure there are gifts under the tree.
“It's Christmas. People don't have the money. And the kids expect so much now,” said Slapnick.
Fortunately, she has a couple of angels on her side from Project Noelle.
“For me as a grandma, especially with grandkids, it is so easing on the soul to know someone is helping you,” said Slapnick.
Project Noelle’s Cuyahoga County chapter partnered with several groups for its distribution this year, including the Blockbuster Society, Cuyahoga County Board of Health, Matt Talbot for Men, The Woodrow Project and the area National Guard.
“It's great. It's great. The outpouring from the community is just overwhelming,” said Sue Derov, co-director of Project Noelle’s Cuyahoga County chapter.
Derov says the need is growing. They helped 350 kids last year and are helping 475 this year and the gifts donated by good Samaritans keep getting better.
“Bikes, TVs, iPads, you know so it's a great, great thing,” said Derov.
But still, Derov wants their reach to grow even wider and is hoping more people continue to learn about their organization.
“I feel as though we're really only touching on Cuyahoga County. We’re basically, you know, reaching the people on the west side and it could be so much more really,” said Derov.
Those who do know about the organization, like Slapnick, can testify to the impact Project Noelle has had on their lives.
“Last year when I came home, I felt like I was driving a sleigh home. I felt like Santa Claus. And to me, that moves me. This moves me,” said Slapnick.
More information about Project Noelle can be found here.
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