CLEVELAND — The need to help our neighbors is always there, but it’s especially imperative this holiday season in the midst of a year like 2020. For the family of Quazon Latham, the holiday season is filled with sadness. Latham died one month ago after severe stomach pain turned into heart failure.
Martina Calloway says her son had the ability to brighten up any room with his dynamite smile.
“He was an amazing kid,” said Calloway. “We talked every morning and if he called me and I didn’t answer, he would blow my phone up until I answered and he would say hey lady, don’t scare me like that, answer your phone.”
Calloway said her son spent his life giving back to his family and friends. Calloway herself, is battling breast cancer and Quazon was the person who knew how to brighten her darkest days..
“He knew it. He would always want to Facetime to see how I was. He could tell,” said Calloway.
At 31-years-old, Quazon leaves behind four children and a fiancé, who was supposed to walk down the aisle and marry Quazon on Christmas day. Calloway says Quazon’s fiancé could not wait to walk down the aisle to the man who provided for his family. He was a student at MLK, a Barbara Byrd Bennett Scholars for life recipient, turned truck driver. Quazon’s family says he delivered endless love to so many, including Councilman Basheer Jones.
“Quazon was like my little brother,” said Jones. “"When he walked into a room you knew he was there, and when he left, you knew he was gone."
Jones delivered Quazon's eulogy and says his presence will be forever missed, especially this holiday season.
“Be a parent to children who don't have parents and that's what I'm asking from each and every one of you out there, so even though Qua can't physically do it for his children, it is up to us to step in there and be the parents that they need,” said Jones.
For that reason, 3News is teaming up with local partners to deliver Christmas cheer to Quazon’s family this holiday season through the Stuff the Truck Drive and you can help.
Bring a toy to the Stuff the Truck drive on Dec. 5.
Join us on Saturday, Dec. 5, between 10 am and 2 pm, as we support a drive-through toy collection at Ohio City Square, at the corner of W. 25th Street and Lorain Road in Cleveland. The Cleveland Police Foundation will have dozens of officers out in the street directing traffic, Santa will be there and volunteer elves will be helping out with the drop-off.
To participate, simply purchase a new, unwrapped toy (approximate value $20) suitable for children ages newborn to 18, and bring it to the drive-through event. Toys should be unwrapped and unbagged.
The toys will be given away throughout December to Cleveland-area families in need, as part of an annual partnership between the Cleveland Police Foundation and Skylight Financial Group. Financial donations can be made online, and the Skylight team will go shopping at Target in Steelyard Commons to buy items on wish lists for families referred by A Special Wish, which serves children facing serious health challenges. Please make sure to note “Cleveland Toy Drive” when making a donation.
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