A toy drive was held on Thursday for two toddlers who are without a mother, father and younger brother this Christmas.
Their family members were killed in November as part of a triple homicide.
Edward Morris, 21, Valarcia Blair, and 3-month old Tariq Morris were killed in a shooting on Nov. 7 on Pasadena Avenue.
The toy drive and a Christmas dinner were held in hopes of giving some Christmas cheer to a family who has been dealing with this tragic loss.
“They’re not going to see their parents anymore. They ask for them every day. Every day and night,” says Elizabeth Green, Valarcia’s mother.
Valarcia and Edward’s children, 1-year old Iyonna and 2-year old Marquell Morris, are living with their grandmother.
“I’m not going to say it gets better, but I’m dealing with it better every day,” she says.
Randy Nuby with Increase the Peace organization put together the toy drive and dinner with Tracy Jordan at Happy Campers daycare.
“They are just wonderful. They’re so humble and appreciative of everything,” says Jordan.
Nuby says he started his organization after the loss of his grandson several years ago. He says his family needed the community’s support after.
“I wanted to create something that if a situation comes up and somebody needs help, we can step out and help the families,” Nuby says.
Now that her family has support, Green says she can give her family a reason to smile again.
“I know it’s not going to bring my daughter and grandson back, but it will help them have a merry Christmas.”
The daycare says it will still take toys, clothing and bedding donations on Friday.
They are located on the corner of Indianola and Market Street in Youngstown.
