Mansfield Fire Department Assistant Chief Jim Bishop, a 1982 Mansfield Senior High graduate, let children take turns sitting in the driver seat of the department’s 100-foot ladder truck at the Shriners picnic. The Richland County Fairgrounds echoed with laughter and excitement Thursday during the Mansfield Shrine Club’s 43rd annual Picnic and Fun Day for special
needs students from several local school districts, including Mansfield City
Schools.
The turnout
under bright sunny skies was so great that Shrine president Mike Miranda had to
scramble to set up extra seats for the indoor picnic.
“We planned for 400 students and teachers but we had to find three extra tables. We have more than 400 here today,” Miranda said.
Mansfield
City Schools Superintendent Brian Garverick and Renda Cline, vice president of
the board of education, watched as kids enjoyed horse and wagon rides, a
petting zoo and dancing amid scores of balloons to the music of a live DJ.
Intervention
specialist John Beasley was among a dozen Malabar Intermediate School teachers
who brought approximately 60 students.
“A lot of these kids don’t have the opportunity to see and experience many of the things going on here today,” Beasley said. “It’s good to see them interested and having fun outside the classroom.”
Senior High Tyger football players provided extra safety for the horse rides, a player walking along each side as the horse – with a smiling special needs student in the saddle – was led by another volunteer. The players also helped to serve lunch.
“We are grateful for the help of the football team. Without them we couldn’t have had the horse rides,” Miranda said.
About 30
Mansfield Shrine Club members and 20 of their wives helped with the picnic and
other activities.
“For all of us it’s about seeing these kids smiling, dancing and laughing,” Miranda said. “Today is for taking care of the kids and helping them have a great time.”
The Shriners
do much more for children than the annual picnic and fun day. They help to
support Shriners Hospitals for Children in Cincinnati and Erie, Pa. Local
Shriners volunteer to provide free transportation to those hospitals for area families.
One of Thursday’s most popular attractions was the Mansfield City Fire Department’s 100-foot ladder truck where Assistant Chief Jim Bishop let children take turns sitting in the driver’s seat.
“Most every kid wants to be a firefighter,” said Bishop, a 27-year veteran of the department and a 1982 graduate of Mansfield Senior High School. “It’s nice to see so many kids having fun out here today.”
Miranda expressed appreciation to supporters of the picnic and fun day, among them Mechanics Bank, O’Charley’s, Kohl’s, Pioneer National Latex in Ashland and the Richland County Sheriff's Department.