?It was a promise we made to God and ourselves?

A family who benefited from a community fundraiser when they needed help paying medical bills is giving back to the community.

Dana and Shelli Stafford of Wellman, and their 8-year-old son Jayden, donated $6,810 to the Washington County Sheriff?s K-9 fund in December. In previous years they?ve made donations to Make-a-Wish, the Children?s Miracle Network and Dance Marathon.

?This all stems from when Jayden was born,? Shelli said. ?We struggled financially. I can?t even begin to say how bad we struggled. If it wasn?t for a fundraiser the community did to help raise funds to help pay off our medical bills, we would have drowned in debt. We have always said that if we ever got to the point to where we could financially give back, then that?s what we would do ? give back to the community that has given us so much. Honestly, I don?t think we?d be here without everyone who was at that fundraiser.?

From a very young age Jayden has wanted to be a cop. During one hospitalization, Jayden received a poster signed by all of the officers in Washington County.

Dana said that he knew Deputy Nathan Schmucker was trying to raise funds for the county K-9 unit. That project is important to Jayden because he wants to be a police officer when he grows up. He is such a fan of police officers that he sold some of his toys when he was 2 1/2 or 3 years old so he could buy a battery-operated squad car that he could ride in.

?It had lights and sirens,? Shelli said, ?and we told him, if you sold some of your stuff then you could use the money to get your cop car. And he did.?

Sometime after getting his car, the Staffords entered him in a kiddie parade in Wellman. His car had a Dunbar for Sheriff bumper sticker on the back.

?It wasn?t even an election year,? Shelli said, ?but Jerry walked with him in uniform down the kiddie parade.?

The family has made contributions to other organizations, such as Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Children?s Miracle Network and Dance Marathon, Dana said.

Shelli said that when someone gives something to Jayden, they want to reach back and give to them.

?You?re in that point in your life and you kind of look at things,? Shelli said. ?If I had money, I promise I would give it back. That was in our prayers. That was in our conversations. I promise. If we ever can make ends meet, we?ll do that ? give back. It was a promise we made to God and ourselves.?