• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

MarionMade

People, Places, Products, Programs

Visit Us On FacebookVisit Us On TwitterVisit Us On YoutubeCheck Our FeedVisit Us On Instagram
We Are Having Fun!We Are Generous!We Are Presidential!
  • Get Involved
  • About
  • Events
    • MarionMade! 5k Sign Up
  • People
  • Places
  • Products
  • Programs
  • Links
  • Contact

Leapin’ Outreach Center

By MarionMade! on February 23, 2022

Pat Hensel, director of Leapin’
Pat Hensel, director of Leapin’

Leapin’ Outreach Center (Leapin’) has been serving the Marion area for over 17 years. Leapin’ is a not-for-profit, faith-based organization in Marion. Since opening, Leapin’ has been staffed entirely by volunteers who work to serve and meet the needs of the less fortunate in Marion County.

“Nearly 18 years ago, God put it on my heart to help individuals and families with their clothing needs. This included, but was not limited to, the homeless population in Marion. As we have identified additional needs, we work to meet them,” said Pat Hensel, director of Leapin’.

Leapin’ currently serves the community by providing free clothing, housewares, bedding, and personal hygiene items that have been donated by the community. They provide toys to children when they have them available, and any other items that are donated. Additionally, Leapin’ offers a location for the homeless population in Marion to shower.

“When you experience the joy of a child who receives a warm coat or a pair of shoes, or the grateful appreciation of a single parent struggling to provide for their family, the gratitude of a homeless person who can get a hot shower or a sleeping bag, no words can express the warm feelings that come from helping those in need whatever way we can,” Hensel said of their inspiration to keep serving the community.

Leapin’ is located at 150 Court Street
Leapin’ is located at 150 Court Street

Leapin’ leadership and volunteers believe it’s important for Marion to be active and involved in their community. Their foundation in faith plays a large part in the contribution of their organization.

“The Bible says that if we see someone in need then we are to help. Our mission and goal at Leapin’ is to continue to identify and work to help those who need help, however, we can. It becomes a blessing for everyone,” said Hensel.

Leapin’ continues to see an increase in need in Marion.

“We need donations, especially school-age children’s clothing, bedding, towels and washcloths, new socks and underwear. As we continue to serve Marion, we have seen a considerable increase in the homeless population, and in an effort to meet this growing need, we are currently constructing a homeless shelter with up to 100 beds on the second floor of our building. There is a lot of work to be done and opportunities to get involved, serve or donate in so many ways,” Hensel said of changes they are making.

The process of updating their building, the old Marion Star building, to a shelter, is a great way to

Pat Hensel
Leapin’ is remodeling the upstairs of their current location into a homeless shelter.

become involved with Leapin’ and the Marion community. This shelter will serve both men and women. Through the process, Leapin’ has partnered with local churches that have put up drywall and painted rooms. In turn, these churches will have naming rights to the rooms they have helped remodel.

Businesses and other organizations in the community have also pitched in, participating in workdays or donating breakfast for volunteers.

“We would love to share more with any groups, organizations, churches, or individuals who would like to serve alongside us at Leapin’ Outreach Center,” Hensel said.

Leapin’ is currently hosting groups to aid the project, and welcoming volunteers with or without experience. Workdays for the shelter are the third Saturday of every month from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.  Donations are accepted Tuesday evenings and Thursday mornings, and Leapin’ requests donations are not dropped off at their location without a volunteer to accept them. Updates for both donation drop-offs and workdays are posted on their Facebook page.

Recent MarionMade! Stories

  • St. Mary Catholic Church

    When Eber Baker founded Marion in 1822, a handful of Catholics lived in the area. By 1844, with a Catholic population of 100, Marion became a mission site and circuit-riding priests celebrated Masses in private homes. In 1854, the Huber Shop on Mill Street became the first permanent place of worship. On land purchased by […]Read More »
  • Hoops Classic

    Feeling that he was a decent basketball player that loved the game, Johnnie Mayes assumed that he was getting too many bad calls from a certain referee.  That referee said something profound to him that would forever change his outlook on life.  He told him, “You would be a much better athlete if you knew […]Read More »
  • OhioHealth Mobile Meals

    OHIO HEALTH SUPPORTS LOCAL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION IN NEED OhioHealth recently extended a helping hand to a community organization in need. For more than 40 years, Mobile Meals of Marion County had cooked and prepared food for those in need within the kitchen of the United Church of Christ. When the church closed its doors to […]Read More »
  • Buckeye Optical

    TENACITY AND GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE FUELS DREAM. . Over 10 years ago, Jeramy Donelson was a licensed optician at a big box store in Marion. Terrible hours, lack of control, and the corporate push to see as many customers as possible pushed Jeramy to the realization that it was time for him to leave his […]Read More »

Share Your MarionMade! Story

Click Here to share your story about MarionMade! people, places, products, and programs!
  • Get Involved
  • About
  • Events
  • People
  • Places
  • Products
  • Programs
  • Links
  • Contact

Marion Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Downtown Marion Love INC Marion Public Library Marion Area Chamber of Commerce Marion CANDO! Marion Community Foundation United Way of Marion County Marion Technical College

© 2023 · MarionMade! is a community initiative led by Marion Technical College · Website is powered by Neighborhood Image