Giveaway rises from ashes of 2005 arson

300 bookbags distributed in memory of Girard victims

GIRARD -- It warms Ken McPherson's heart that a devastating and tragic event more than two decades ago that claimed three young lives also has given birth to something that continues to be perhaps as enduring and endearing as it is positive.

"It was an absolutely horrendous act of evil, but this is about happiness," he said.

McPherson, a former Warren city councilman, was referring to the Sept. 13, 2005, fire that killed Lena Cross, 22, and her sons, Christian Pizzulo, 1, and Mason Cross, 5, at their Dearborn Street residence. Compounding the tragedy was the later discovery that Cross had been stabbed multiple times and the fire was set to cover up the crime. The two boys died from smoke inhalation while asleep in their upstairs bedroom.

The case remains unsolved.

Nevertheless, as part of a tragedy-to-triumph story, McPherson's late wife, Cindy A. Michael, launched the Lena Mason Christian Memorial Foundation in their memory. The foundation also hosted the 21st annual Family Fun Day and bookbag giveaway Saturday afternoon in David Tod Memorial Park off Washington Avenue.

Michael died Dec. 12, 2018, after losing her battle with breast cancer. She was 56.

The festive, family-friendly gathering was shortened, however, because of severe thunderstorms.

Michael was the one who found Mason's Spiderman-themed bookbag in his bedroom after the fire, something that was the "genesis" for the annual giveaway, McPherson noted.

Among the young people who benefited from a dose of free school supplies were 10-year-old friends Gemma Lowe and Isabella Maroti, both of Girard.

"It has a ruler, a bunch of paper, two notebooks and a bunch of coloring supplies like pencils and crayons," Gemma said in describing her bag's main contents.

Despite the 100% off back-to-school sale for which she was a happy recipient, something else competed for her excitement as the new school year looms.

"I'm excited about making friends," Gemma said.

Isabella provided a similar narrative, saying that her bookbag also was filled with coloring supplies, notebooks, rulers and other related items.

"I'm excited about my new teachers, making new friends and learning new things," she added.

Despite the impending threatening weather that included a severe thunderstorm warning for parts of Trumbull County, volunteers packed then were able to distribute an estimated 300 bookbags for students in kindergarten through grade 12, McPherson said.

Even though a long time has passed since the tragic arson, McPherson said he is happy that the tragic event also has galvanized a strong and enduring sense of unity in the community.

"It's been 20-some years. I'm amazed by the volunteers who make this happen," he said, adding, "I'm blessed to see how the community comes together."