Russell and Mary Gimbel Foundation

Russell E. and Mary Karcher Gimbel were born and raised in Mansfield, Ohio. They attended Mansfield City schools.

After graduating, Mary Karcher went to National College of Education in Evanston, Illinois. While in college, Mary had an opportunity to work with Jane Addams at the renown Hull-House Settlement in Chicago. She returned to Mansfield and taught in one room schools in Richland Count. In 1928, she joined the staff at the Friendly House Settlement House on North Main Street as a Girls’ worker and founded the first public kindergarten in Mansfield.

Russell Gimbel was employed in the sales department at the Ohio Brass. He was an excellent athlete and competed in semi-professional baseball, basketball and football.

Mary Karcher and Russell Gimbel were married on January 26, 1929. During the depression, Russell was without employment due to the massive layoffs everywhere. In 1933, he was asked to be the director of Friendly House and Mary was named assistant director.

During their tenure as directors, a new Friendly House was built on North Mulberry Street in 1950. They established the first licensed day care center in Richland County, Hidden Hollow Camp, Happy Hollow Day Camp and Golden Age Club, the first senior citizen club in Mansfield.

In 1971, they retired after completing the natatorium addition at the Friendly House.

The Gimbels were honored in 1996 for long-standing membership in the American Camping Association, for which they had served as state directors.

Although Mr. and Mrs. “G” did not have children of their own, they felt fortunate to have been part of the lives of the many children who attended activities at Friendly House and the camps.

The Russell and Mary Gimbel Foundation was established in 1989. The trust was created and is operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, literary and educational purposes.