The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Birthday surprise visit
Lorain Police Department provides 4-year-old child’s birthday surprise to family in need
The Lorain Police Department stepped up Jan. 15 in a big way and helped a South Lorain resident who’s going through a tough time.
Jennifer Richard, who recently found out she has cancer and raises three children on her own, received a huge surprise on her son Giovanni Raby’s fourth birthday.
Lorain police officers Jake Morris and Eladio Andujar arrived at Richard’s apartment to give her son the experience of operating some of the instruments on a squad car, and surprising him with some gifts.
“It was brought to our attention a woman, who has very little, found out she has cancer,” Morris said. “She is going through a tough time taking care of her kids and her son’s birthday is today. So it was something we really wanted to do.”
Morris said this all came together when Richard was picked up by a Lyft driver.
“The driver, Brandon Robinson, heard about the struggles she was going through,” he said. “They also drove by a police car during the ride and Richard told Robinson how much her son loved police cars.
“So he called someone he knew on the force, Sgt. Tim Thompson, and wondered if we could do something. Sgt. Thompson told me about it and we started to put the gears in motion.”
Organizing the gifts
Morris said he worked all
morning putting things together.
“I didn’t initially know her address, so I just went doorto-door until I found the right person and told her what we wanted to do,” he said. “She immediately got really emotional and was overjoyed we
were doing this.”
Morris said the next step was to get the cake.
“I went over to Walmart and got a chocolate cake and a bag of different things for Giovanni,” he said. “We also had a South Lorain business owner step up in a big way by buying a bike, scooter and other presents for the birthday boy. The business owner also provided some money for Richard to buy some groceries until she gets on her feet.”
Morris said it’s amazing how everything worked out.
“This would not have happened if the Lyft driver would not have known someone in our department,” he said. “This is possible because of the relationships you build in the community and how a community can come together to support one another.
“Officers can be a great asset to help people. Sometimes we are given the opportunity to help out in other ways than arrests. And I’m grateful
an opportunity like this was made possible through the relationships we have.”
The Lyft ride
Robinson said when he picked up Richard for the Lyft ride, she started crying.
“I had to ask her what was wrong, and she told me how they had just moved up from Florida and things were not going well,” he said. “She told me she had no food to feed her family.
“That’s when I knew there was something I could do. I’m glad this was able to happen.”
Richard was shocked by the whole experience.
“I’m surprised,” she said.
“I didn’t know what to expect from this. This was most of the things he wanted and more. I’m glad they made all this possible. I love to see my kids smile. Their happiness is everything to me.” Richard said life is hard. “I moved up here due to problems I have had with the father of my children,” she said. “I came up here to be with a family member who said could help me.
“After I got here, I was told I had leukemia and that family member did not help me like they said they would. Now I’m in an area where I don’t know anyone, and I’m trying to figure things out.”
Richard said she puts her children first in every decision.
“I have made sure they have something to eat,” she said. “I haven’t eaten in three days. I want to make sure they are cared for first and foremost.
“If my kids are happy, then I’m happy. I’m so grateful all this was done so my son could have an awesome birthday.”
Officers also gave Richard contact information for El Centro De Servicios so staff can inform her of the different services that can help her.
“The first thing I want to do for her is have her come in so we can thoroughly discuss her situation,” said Thelma Cruz, community and health coordinator and mental health navigator at El Centro. “I first want to gauge if she has applied for a medical card.
“I then want to know where she is sleeping and how much she is paying for rent.
“After we have a better idea of where she stands, I’ll tell her about our food pantry, that is here (2800 Pearl Ave.) every third Thursday, and services like transportation she can take advantage of. We can help her directly and point her in the right direction.”