MANSFIELD –A 17-year partnership continues to bring warmth to families across Richland County.
The Mansfield Noon Optimist Club, Grace Episcopal Church, Ashley HomeStore and Altrusa International of Mansfield joined forces again this year for the annual Coats for Kids initiative, collecting winter essentials for families who need them most.
Dena Kmetz, who has coordinated the event for the past two years, said the initiative gives local organizations and community members a meaningful way to help their neighbors.
“It’s an honor to be part of a program that allows us to collect as many winter items as possible for the Grace Pantry to distribute to our city’s most vulnerable residents,” Kmetz said.
A local mission keeps growing
The roots of Coats for Kids date back to 2009, when the Mansfield Noon Optimist Club and Grace Episcopal Church first joined forces.
Tom Conn, a member of the Mansfield Noon Optimist Club, started the initiative with a focus on providing coats for children. Over the years, the effort has grown to help entire families, collecting everything from coats and hoodies to hats, gloves, scarves and blankets.
Ashley HomeStore joined the partnership in 2017, while Altrusa International of Mansfield came aboard in 2020. Their continued participation has helped expand the drive’s reach and bring more winter necessities to the Grace Pantry.
Linda Bender, Altrusa’s Coats for Kids program coordinator and a lifelong Grace Episcopal member, has seen firsthand how much recipients appreciate the donations and community support.
Her involvement reflects the broader purpose behind the partnership: bringing organizations and neighbors together to help people facing difficult circumstances, especially as colder weather approaches.
The Mansfield Noon Optimist Club carries the nickname “Friend of Youth” and follows a mission centered on making a positive difference in young people’s lives and the communities around them.
“By providing hope and positive vision, Optimists bring out the best in youth, our communities, and ourselves,” the organization’s mission statement reads.
Donations go where they’re needed
This year’s participating organizations gathered their collected items at the group’s annual luncheon at DLX on Oct. 28. From there, the donations went to Grace Episcopal Church, 41 Bowman St., where the church distributes winter essentials to people throughout the community.
The need remains steady. Fr. Daniel Orr of Grace Episcopal Church said donated items often leave the pantry nearly as quickly as volunteers receive them.
It’s an honor to be part of a program that allows us to collect as many winter items as possible for the Grace Pantry to distribute to our city’s most vulnerable residents.
dena kmetz, mansfield noon optimist club
Cindy Titus of Ashley HomeStore said employees and customers begin gathering donations each September and October, making the drive a shared effort that extends beyond the organizations involved.
“This fits directly in our vision and mission, ‘Be the Difference,’ to help veterans, children and others in our community,” Titus said. “And [we] are honored to be a part of this worthwhile cause.”
The Mansfield Noon Optimist Club also recognized AMVETS Post 26 in Mansfield for contributing to this year’s drive and continuing to support the club’s work. Organizers said that generosity plays an important role in helping the Optimists serve children throughout Richland County.
Grace Episcopal Church continues to accept monetary and winter-item donations, with contribution information available on the church’s website. The Mansfield Noon Optimist Club and Altrusa International of Mansfield also welcome new members, with membership information available through their respective websites.