The Denny Mantel Christmas Sharing Fund:
Each holiday season (since 1984) Optimist members have provided some local families with groceries for a good holiday meal. The Northridge School System provides us with names of families who are particularly needy due to economic circumstances. Beginning with 2014, the program has been named in honor of Optimist member Denny Mantel who had chaired the event for over 30 years. Each year he spent countless hours organizing and leading the program, and inspiring members with his dedication. Denny passed away in February of 2014, and club members have established a separate fund in his memory to make sure that we can continue the program. The fund was established with direct donations as well as from portions of club fund raising events. The program serves an average of 15 to 20 families each year, with a budget of approximately $1500 to $2000.
Each holiday season (since 1984) Optimist members have provided some local families with groceries for a good holiday meal. The Northridge School System provides us with names of families who are particularly needy due to economic circumstances. Beginning with 2014, the program has been named in honor of Optimist member Denny Mantel who had chaired the event for over 30 years. Each year he spent countless hours organizing and leading the program, and inspiring members with his dedication. Denny passed away in February of 2014, and club members have established a separate fund in his memory to make sure that we can continue the program. The fund was established with direct donations as well as from portions of club fund raising events. The program serves an average of 15 to 20 families each year, with a budget of approximately $1500 to $2000.
2023 Event:
A total of $1870 was distributed among fifteen needy families for the holidays. The Northridge School System had selected the families who are particularly needy due to economic circumstances. Distribution of the gifts was handled by the school, with recipients picking up the gifts at the board of education building. This was the 39th year that the club has held this program. The club thanks those who have donated to help support this fund.
2022 Event:
The 2022 Denny Mantel Christmas Sharing Program was carried out in December with a total of $1860 distributed among 15 families (with a total of 36 children). The Northridge School System had selected the families who are particularly needy due to economic circumstances. Distribution of the gifts was handled by the school, with recipients picking up the gifts at the board of education building. This was the 39th year that the club has held this program.
The club thanks those who have donated to this fund to help make this program possible.
Donations are an important source of funds to keep the program at its usual level. To help with donations, see the address at the bottom of this page for mailing checks.
The club thanks those who have donated to this fund to help make this program possible.
Donations are an important source of funds to keep the program at its usual level. To help with donations, see the address at the bottom of this page for mailing checks.
2021 Event:
• The 2021 Denny Mantel Christmas Sharing Program served 15 families (with a total of 34 children) this year, thanks to recent donations. A total amount of $2750 was gifted. The format was the same as last year. With the help of the school, the procedure was set up to distribute gifts for the families that were selected by the school. The club purchased Kroger gift cards, plus additional gift cards were donated by Cargill, and some cash donations were received. Distribution of the gifts was handled by the school, and recipients were contacted by the school when the gifts were ready for pick up.
• Thanks to those who sent in donations to the Christmas Sharing Fund. Donations are an important source of funds to keep the program at its usual level. For more information on donating, see just below on this page.
• Also many thanks to the school for all of the help in coordinating this project.
• Thanks to those who sent in donations to the Christmas Sharing Fund. Donations are an important source of funds to keep the program at its usual level. For more information on donating, see just below on this page.
• Also many thanks to the school for all of the help in coordinating this project.
The 2020 Event:
• In past years club members and other volunteers have teamed up by two's or three's, with each team shopping for a given family, and then delivering the groceries to that family. Due to the pandemic precautions, a different format was devised for the 2020 holidays. Instead of volunteers gathering in groups and shopping, the club provided gift certificates for the families.
• Many thanks to all who helped make the Denny Mantel Christmas Sharing Program possible this year. While facing the challenge of continuing the annual program under the conditions of limited contact that are in place because of the pandemic, the club has succeeded in providing over $3000 of holiday assistance to 21 families in need.
• With the help of the school, a procedure was set up distribute gifts for the families that were selected by the school. The club purchased Kroger gift cards for the families and the certificates were held at the Northridge Board of Education building for pick up by the respective families at their convenience. Club member volunteers called each family to alert them to the availability of their gift. All of the gifts were distributed before Christmas.
• Thanks to those who sent in donations to the Christmas Sharing Fund. Donations are an important source of funds to keep the program at its usual level. For more information on donating, see just below on this page.
• Many thanks to all who helped make the Denny Mantel Christmas Sharing Program possible this year. While facing the challenge of continuing the annual program under the conditions of limited contact that are in place because of the pandemic, the club has succeeded in providing over $3000 of holiday assistance to 21 families in need.
• With the help of the school, a procedure was set up distribute gifts for the families that were selected by the school. The club purchased Kroger gift cards for the families and the certificates were held at the Northridge Board of Education building for pick up by the respective families at their convenience. Club member volunteers called each family to alert them to the availability of their gift. All of the gifts were distributed before Christmas.
• Thanks to those who sent in donations to the Christmas Sharing Fund. Donations are an important source of funds to keep the program at its usual level. For more information on donating, see just below on this page.
Donations:
The budget for the Christmas Sharing Fund requires more than what the club's normal fundraisers bring in, so donations are an important source of funds to keep the program at its usual level.
For Donations to this fund please make check payable to, and send to:
Denny Mantel Christmas Sharing Fund
c/o Northridge Optimist Club
PO Box 131211
Dayton, Ohio 45413
Denny Mantel Christmas Sharing Fund
c/o Northridge Optimist Club
PO Box 131211
Dayton, Ohio 45413