Since 1899, the Friendly House, a United Way agency, has been serving Richland County residents through a variety of services.
“Our objective is to provide recreational, educational, social, health/fitness, camping, and day care programs to our immediate neighborhood and our community as a whole, at a cost everyone can afford,” says Program Director Brianna Sammataro.
The Friendly House also operates the popular Hidden Hollow Camp and Happy Hollow Day Camp, founded in 1940.
“We offer Afterschool and Summer Fun programs, swim lessons, lap swims and water exercise, weight room and open gym, monthly Golden Age luncheons for our senior friends, and volunteer and alumni opportunities.” says Sammataro.
The Friendly House anticipates an exciting new year.
“We have a lot of things to be hopeful for in 2022, including securing funding for a new playground on site, revamping the Friendly House weight room with help from OhioHealth Mansfield and the Mansfield Police Department, completing the emergency exit at Hidden Hollow Camp, as well as general repairs and construction projects at Friendly House and HHC and Happy Hollow Day camp.” comments Sammataro.
Most everyone in the community has benefitted from the Friendly House, or knows someone who does.
“Whether it was your great grandparents coming down here for the dances, or your brother was on a basketball team, or your aunt worked at Happy Hollow Day Camp, everyone knows someone who came up and grew up around the Friendly House.” says Sammataro.
All donations made through Richland Gives will go directly into their General Fund or can be designated where the donor specifies.
“It’s important that we keep the Friendly House available and affordable for the people that need it the most. We are still here and we plan on being here for a long time.” says Sammataro.
To learn more, donate, or get involved, visit https://www.friendlyhouseonline.com/.
This mini spotlight is sponsored by The Friendly House as part of our local giving guide that highlights nonprofits leading up to Giving Tuesday on Nov. 30. To see more nonprofits, https://www.richlandsource.com/business/nonprofit_giving_guide/
