• 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 Presidential!We Are Generous!
  • Get Involved
  • About
  • Events
    • MarionMade! 5k Sign Up
  • People
  • Places
  • Products
  • Programs
  • Links
  • Contact

Leapin’ Outreach Center Asks for Community Help to Open New Shelter

By Wendy Weichenthal on December 27, 2022

The volunteers running the Leapin’ Outreach Center are working diligently to open a 100-bed shelter for homeless men and women in Marion. They are asking local volunteers and donors to step up and help complete this project.

“We’re doing workdays on the third Saturday of each month,” said Regan Hensel of Marion. “We could really use all the hands we can get.”

Two men on a scaffolding work to install a sheet of drywall.
Nolan Hensel waves while Dale Wagner works to install drywall in the new homeless shelter.

A volunteer on a ladder and a volunteer standing on the ground work to frame walls.

This December, volunteers built walls and installed drywall. Several local churches and companies have adopted women’s sleeping rooms.

“Right now, we are trying to get all of the walls built. We have drywall to hang. If we could get a drywall finishing crew, that would be amazing,” Regan said. “Everyone can help. If you are willing to learn, we will teach you! Monetary donations could be used to hire some of the work that needs to be completed, especially technical jobs including plumbing, electrical, and HVAC projects.”

Those wanting to volunteer can show up on the third Saturday of each month from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Leapin’.

“Volunteers from Marion City Schools came in and did drywall in the kitchen and cafeteria. Several local construction companies have also contributed time,” Regan said.

Leapin’ started 19 years ago as a nonprofit organization to provide clothing for those in need. The current location is at 150 Court Street, the former offices of The Marion Star. The clothing center is on the first floor and the second floor is being renovated for the shelter.

“What really tore my heart was a guy who just got out of prison. He said, ‘I don’t have any place to go.’ I said there’s a homeless shelter in Marion. He said they are full. I mentioned some other places and he said they are full. He sat down and started crying and I started crying,” Patricia Hensel, Regan’s wife, said. “God, we have to do something. There are too many people who need a place to rest their heads at night.”

While the need is great, the obstacles have been challenging.

Volunteer and local teacher jane Harper, a white woman with long brown hair, a gray sweatshirt, and light blue jeans, holds an armload of puzzles as she helps someone shop for a child in need.
Jane Harper, a Leapin’ volunteer and local teacher, helps someone shop for a child in need before Christmas.

“It took us almost two years to get all of the architectural drawings done and approved. COVID hit and put us back about a year and a half,” Pat said. “We just cannot get the hands. Everyone says it’s great what you’re doing – but we can’t do it by ourselves. We’re struggling to get the volunteers needed to move this project forward. This is a community outreach center. We’re just putting the word out to the individuals in Marion to come and help us get this shelter done so we can open the doors to the people who need it.”

Leapin’ currently serves more than 2,000 registered Marion County families. The homeless shelter is another way to serve those most in need.

“We want to provide for the homeless and help them not be homeless,” Regan said. “I was hoping to be done by this winter, but it’s in God’s timing.”

“We have put this in God’s hands. When God guides, God provides. We want to share God with these people and pray with them. That’s our goal – to get them out of the situation that they’re in with God’s help,” Pat said.


Leapin’ recently provided Christmas gifts to 187 local children. Leapin’ is closed over the holidays. It reopens on Jan. 3, 2023. Leapin’ accepts donations on Tuesdays from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon. They ask donors not to leave donations outside.

Needed items include new or gently used clothing, especially for children ages five through 18; practical housewares such as blankets, sheets, towels, pans, and small kitchen appliances; new or gently used toys and books; and personal hygiene items. Leapin’ cannot accept furniture, large appliances, or decorative items.

Volunteers for both the clothing donations and the homeless shelter are desperately needed. Anyone willing to donate time should show up when Leapin’ is open, visit the Leapin’ Facebook page, or email leapinoutreach@gmail.com.

Recent MarionMade! Stories

  • LEI Lifelong Learning

    The Learning Enrichment Institute (LEI) provides an opportunity for individuals 50 and older to broaden their experiences through a schedule of short, non-credit courses that promote creativity, free thinking, and personal growth and development. The program is a partnership between The Ohio State University at Marion and Marion Technical College and was established in 2006. […]Read More »
  • New Year’s Eve will be Popping in Marion

    Marion residents are gearing up for a night to remember as the NewsForce247.com hosts its annual Rockin’ Poppin’ New Year’s Eve Celebration, a beloved community tradition. Held at the Marion County Fairgrounds at 220 E. Fairground Street in Marion, the event promises an evening of family-friendly entertainment, music and festive fun. “This year’s event is […]Read More »
  • Huber Machinery Museum

    A MARION LEGACY WORTH REFLECTING ON. The Huber Machinery Museum, tucked beside Veterans Memorial Coliseum on the Marion County Fairgrounds, recognizes the vision and industry of one of the community’s foremost inventors and philanthropists, Edward Huber. The exhibits of this museum cover nearly four decades of Huber’s work and detail the profound difference he made […]Read More »
  • K9 Stash

    During the month of October we are highlighting information about the K9 units of Marion County. The dogs are trained to conduct building and large area searches for hidden criminals, tracking lost persons and criminals, article/evidence searches, and narcotics detection. Though this is a light-hearted interview, asking questions as if the dogs have voices, they […]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

© 2025 · MarionMade! is a community initiative led by Marion Technical College · Website is powered by Neighborhood Image