Editor’s Note
Richland Source did not include all of the event’s sponsors in the original version of this article. It was updated at 6:45 p.m. Dec. 15.
MANSFIELD — The Richland Outreach center hosted its ninth annual holiday party Saturday, treating local children to free toys, coats, arts and crafts, a Christmas dinner and pictures with Santa and the Grinch.
ROC founder Tara Klebowski said the holiday party is the non-profit’s largest event of the year. More than 1,000 students attended the free event at Malabar Intermediate School with their families.
Charlie Justice, who has played Santa for nine years at the event, said he always makes sure to tell each child that he is proud of them.
“For me, first and most importantly — it’s a ministry,” Justice said. “I want every child to know they are special, that they are loved and that someone is proud of them.
“Every child deserves a good Christmas. I was that kid whose parents financially couldn’t provide a Christmas most years … ROC provides holiday memories that will last a lifetime. I love seeing entire families enjoying each other, the meal, and the pure unadulterated joy of Christmas.”
The event included a live DJ, full Christmas dinner, hot chocolate bar and cookies, a nail-painting station by Tclawedit Nails, and winter gear including coats, hats, gloves and blankets. The first 31 kids through the door also received brand new sleds to take home.
Sponsors of the event included New Space Storage, Dream Huge Realty, VFW posts 9943 and 3494, All-American Roof Pros, Porky’s Drive-In, Texas Roadhouse , Caltrider Construction LLC, Honeycreek Christian School and Realtor Diana Donovan with Keller Williams.
Other event donors and supporters included Mindcapsule Media, Borrowed Moments Photography, Honeyville Garden Events and Rentals, Envious Ink, This and That Candles, Culligan Water, Heffelfinger Meats, Grocery Outlet, Sylvester Trucking LLC, Bursting Bubble Teas and More, and U.P.N.O. Music with live-streamed interviews and advertising.
‘We all do what we do to help the community,’ says ROC board president
Tamara Hite, an executive team member for ROC, said the Whoville holiday party is her favorite event to host.
“The look on the kids’ faces is why I do what I do,” she said. “The Grinch and Santa together make the whole event come together. The help from the community is amazing. Without them, stuff like this can’t happen. It warms me the way everyone comes together.”
ROC board president Andy Vanderpool, who plays the Grinch, said the children at the event are always in good spirits.
“This event is amazing — lots of smiles and laughs, and the kids are always excited to get a toy, see Santa, give the Grinch an onion, crafts, or just to have something to do during the holiday months,” Vanderpool said.
“We all do what we do to help the community. It’s not just me that wants to have an impact, it’s all of us. There wouldn’t be a Grinch without the help from all of the ROC volunteers or the people and places that donate. A huge thank you from the bottom of the Grinch’s heart where it is!”
Students from Mansfield City National Honor Society and Key Club also volunteered at the event with ROC staff and volunteers. Klebowski noted Dream Huge Realty also hosted a toy drive for the event in addition to sponsoring and volunteering.
“This event takes a village, and it can’t be done without the community,” the ROC founder said.
“I have to say that our community and my ROC team are amazing, they have the best hearts and leave me speechless every year. They have given up so much these last few months, and especially this week, to help pull this event off for these children and families.
“I feel like the Grinch and my heart grows 3x bigger each year because of them.”
Dj Dro Jackson was DJing some Christmas tunes and helping the Grinch have dance battles with the kids.
UPNO Music owner and producer Ryan James said he was happy to volunteer and attend the event.
“It was a great event to be a part of and see all the joy in the kids’ faces,” he said. “We can’t wait for the continued partnership with this organization and bring more big things to this community.”
ROC is also accepting monetary donations for next year’s event, and for new custom costumes for the Grinch and Santa. The center accepts donations anytime on Venmo @ROC2016 or checks to P.O. Box 162, Mansfield OH 44901.
All donations are tax deductible.
Visitors can reach Richland Outreach Center online at richlandoutreachcenter.org, by phone at 419-565-0903 or on Facebook. The center accepts donations anytime on Venmo @ROC2016.
The photos below were provided by the Richland Outreach Center.
