Mansfield Noon Optimist Club continues 46-year Adopt-A-Child tradition

MANSFIELD — Long before Santa Claus makes his grand entrance Saturday morning, the Mansfield Noon Optimist Club began setting the stage Friday evening for its annual Adopt-A-Child event — a tradition that has brought Christmas joy to local children for more than four decades.

The event, which began 46 years ago, serves children from four schools this year — Malabar Intermediate, Spanish Immersion, Springmill Elementary and St. Mary’s. Two of the schools had five children each participate, while the other two each had 10.

The Adopt-A-Child event takes place at the Elks Lodge located at 499 Park Avenue West.

A decades-long tradition of giving

Char Bottomley, a Mansfield Noon Optimist member for the past 34 years, said while something unexpected seems to happen every year, one thing never changes.

“The excitement and joy on the children’s faces remain the same,” Bottomley said.

She said she used to work for the city schools and would talk with the secretaries, asking for names of children. From there, they would contact the families to gather ideas for gifts.

“We have a lot of support from the membership as far as shopping for them, getting ready and showing up on Saturday to entertain the families,” she said. “That part makes it all worth it.”

Bill Rae, a Mansfield Noon Optimist Club board member, oversees the Adopt-A-Child event. Each year, he said, the club serves between 30 and 40 children.

On the day of the event, Rae said the children arrive, receive name tags and write thank-you notes before Santa Claus shows up. A book is read aloud, and then the children are invited to go through and receive their gifts.

Gifts made with care — and love

Each child receives a quilt, hat, scarf, a bag filled with school and health supplies and $100 worth of gifts. Prior to the event, parents fill out a form detailing each child’s age, size and interests to help volunteers prepare. The children also receive a book bag.

This year, Altrusa helped provide school supplies, Rae said.

“I love to see the kids’ faces when they get to have something at Christmas,” he said.

Rae and his wife, Geri, make the quilts and help with the hats for the event. Rae said preparations for next year are already underway, particularly when it comes to quilting.

“I just finished one today and put it in the place these were before,” Geri said.

She noted many people who know she sews will donate fabric scraps, which she puts to use.

For Geri, seeing the children’s reactions when they meet Santa Claus is the highlight of the day.

“It’s just a lot of fun,” she said.

Rae noted anyone who would like to help donate items can reach out directly to him or the Mansfield Noon Optimist Club.

(Photos from the Elks Lodge, while the Mansfield Noon Optimist Club set up for the Adopt-A-Child event. Credit: Hannah Martin)