OhioHealth MedCentral Hospital in Mansfield honored the life and legacy of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday with a donation to the Friendly House and Big Brothers, Big Sisters program.
A large pile of board games, books and gym equipment arrived at the Friendly House to keep kids entertained after school. Director Terry Conard said the games are much appreciated in order to replenish their existing stock.
“With a day like today, we have a lot of kids here all day since there’s no school, so this gives them a variety of different games to play,” he said.
Conard explained the Friendly House offers a large after-school program where students are provided a hot meal and a tutor for homework before heading to different activities. Students can swim, play basketball games, take art classes or visit computer labs. The program has been around more than 100 years in Richland County, with the location at 380 North Mulberry Street in existence since 1948.
Christina Thompson, Manager of Communications and Media Relations for OhioHealth, said the associates at Mansfield hospital donated games throughout the past week. She noted the response was so overwhelming it filled a hospital linen basket to the brim.
“Martin Luther King Jr. was so important to his community, and we wanted to bring the same spirit locally to our towns,” said Thompson. “It’s great to see the support within our organization and how they love to give to the community that surrounds them.”
OhioHealth MedCentral Shelby Hospital associates also participated in a community service project, collecting paper products throughout the month of January to donate to Shelby Help Line Ministries.
In addition to board games, OhioHealth MedCentral Mansfield also donated an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) unit and will train the Friendly House staff on the benefits and use of this life-saving equipment as part of Heart Month in February.
“Defibrillators are lifesaving, and it’s great for everyone to learn,” said Thompson. “It’s really important for all organizations to have.”
“It’s been a blessing that we’re going to receive one, it’s one of the things in the budget that we typically can’t afford to have,” added Conard. “Hopefully we never need it, but with all the activities we have it’s nice to have it accessible if the need ever arises.”
