YOUNGSTOWN Youngstown and the Community Initiative to Reduce Violence (CIRV) is spreading hope this season with a gift campaign aimed at giving presents to kids who have been affected by violence.

CIRV's Hope for the Holidays Gift Campaign worked alongside Youngstown police and fire departments to load gifts onto a WRTA bus Friday morning before traveling to each side of town to help deliver gifts.

When it comes to the power of caring for one another, CIRV's Guy Burney stated that a meaningful connection can help make others' days a bit better. 

"Relationship has power to it, kindness has power to it," Burney said. "So we're going to be kind, and we're going to connect...we can't change it, but we can make it better by our presence."

Burney stated that while some have experienced violence involving arson or losing a loved one, the Friday event was centered around creating good memories around the holidays.

"We take a look, and we try to bring hope to those who have experienced violence during the course of the year," Burney said. "This year, we're helping all kinds of families."

With Santa present at the event and riding on a firetruck, residents in attendance were encouraged to spread the cheer of the holidays as well.

"Me and my children lost literally everything," Rekeisha Shelton, a Youngstown resident, said. "Truly a big blessing for me and my family." 

Shelton explained how she got a call from Burney on Friday morning to meet him at the event and, once she was there, realized that she was picked to get some help after what she and her family had been going through.

"Miracles do happen," Shelton said. She expressed how thankful she was for Burney and the CIRV team's help.

Burney stated how the winter can be hard for so many people, and that he hopes the event can bring comfort to those who need it.

CIRV also partners with the Mahoning Mental Health and Recovery Board.