Bell Ringers and Kids Make Christmas in July a Success

The Salvation Army was the big winner at ONEOK Field Sun., July 25, as the Tulsa Drillers competed against the Arkansas Travelers. The Drillers lost 7-6 in 11 innings but hosted a wonderful Christmas in July event with help from TSA. Captains Warren and Cindy Jones recruited three couples from the Salvation Army Sapulpa Corps to ring bells at each of the ball park gates. The bell ringers were retired officers Majors Sam and Mary Warnock, Bill and Donna Shenberger and Bette and George O’Dell. TSA Lawn Maintenance Supervisor Rick Thompson and assistant Charlie Bell parked the giant Red Kettle of Love where lots of baseball fans could see it and also supervised a toy drive. But the most fun was had by the kids. The Jones children, Kenny, 12; Joshua, seven; Makayla, five and Madison, two, helped ring bells and also enjoyed the playground. Rick’s seven year old son Devon and Charlie’s three year old son Logan enjoyed a dinner of  hot dogs, bratwurst, chips and pop and the dads obtained autographs for the boys. Santa Claus made an appearance in a Hawaiian shirt while “Jingle Bell Rock” played over the PA system and “It’s A Wonderful Life” was projected above the scoreboard. The snow scenes in the movie were the best, as the heat and humidity combined for a sauna-like atmosphere at the ball park.  However, an occasional cool breeze blew in from the west and everyone was thankful for it, especially Santa.

-Sallie

Which Wich? Added to FFH 2010

Just in! The Which Wich? restaurants located at: 10438 South 82nd East Avenue, Bixby, OK 74008 and 6028 South Memorial Drive, Tulsa, OK  74133 have just signed on to participate in FFH 2010!

How do you participate? Stop by any area Quik Trip location and get a FFH entry form.  Take it to any participating restaurant from August 9-13 and 15% of your total will be donated to The Salvation Army in Tulsa to feed those in need.  PLUS! You could win a $1000 QT gift card!

Happy eating!
~Lindsay

Tulsa Drillers and TSA Team Up for Christmas in July

Sunday, July 25 is Christmas in July at ONEOK Field and the Tulsa Drillers and the Salvation Army are teaming up to make it an evening to remember.  Bell ringers with kettles will be at the gates. The giant Red Kettle of Love will be parked where kids can climb on it and their parents can drop in donations. The Drillers invited TSA to hold a toy drive during the game, so two toy barrels will be at every gate. Tulsa Drillers Promotions Assistant Justin Gorski said he appreciates the Salvation Army working with the Drillers. “The Salvation Army will make this event an amazing one!”  Justin said. Captains Warren and Cindy Jones are in charge of volunteers and they’ve recruited friends from the Sapulpa Corps to help out. Lawn Maintenance Supervisor Rick Thompson is in charge of the giant kettle and the toy drive.  

Did I forget to mention baseball? The Tulsa Drillers will be playing against the Arkansas Travelers Sunday night.  The game starts at 6:05. Here’s some inside scoop from Justin: Tulsa will receive some major league help for its meeting with Arkansas on Sunday.  Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki will play for the Drillers in the two games during an injury rehabilitation assignment as he recovers from a fractured wrist. Go Drillers!

-Sallie

Mabee Red Shield Boys & Girls Club Takes in the Arts

Mabee Red Shield Boys & Girls Club Director Jerome Smith and Program Director Jamecia Marshall took 14 kids from the club to “"Amy's Beauty-An African Fantasy Tale" at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center Saturday (July 17). Jerome said it was a great performance and the kids really enjoyed it. One of the actors in the play was a former Mabee Red Shield member and many of the performers were in A Pocket Full of Hope, an arts organization which had sung and and performed at Mabee Red Shield Friday (July 16). Young Rembrandts art teacher and Mabee Red Shield volunteer Miss LaDonna had obtained 20 free tickets to “Amy’s Beauty.” Since the club didn’t need six of the tickets, Jerome gave them to a group of kids waiting in line to buy tickets. “It was so cool. It was like paying it forward,” Jerome said.

-Sallie

Exciting Changes for Sand Springs After School Program

Many parents in Sand Springs are wondering how they are going to adapt their family schedules now that elementary school is getting out at 2:30 p.m.  Well, our Sand Springs Boys & Girls Club is ready for the new schedule with exciting changes to their After School Program.   

This program boasts a great atmosphere for children including homework help and tutoring as well as arts programs including activities with cameras, guitairs, keyboards and hobbies/crafts.  The entire building was created for kids to have a great time! It includes more than just one room for small children.  The building has a pool, gym, game room, movie room and computer lab - tons of areas for children to grow!

Interested? They are hosting a few specials for fall enrollment (going on now): If you are a new member to the after school program - your THIRD week is FREE!!  If you are a current member of the after school program and you RECRUIT a new member, your THIRD week is ALSO, FREE!!

$50.00/week for Angus, Pratt and Limestone (because they ride the bus)
$60.00/week for Central and Garfield (because the Club picks them up)
Ages 5*-12 (*5 on a two week trial basis)

Click "Read More" below to see the detailed program schedule and volunteer needs.

Authors Note: I called a few other providers of after school care in the area and our prices were $10-$25 a week cheaper than all the others. Just another way we are Doing the Most Good!

~Lindsay

Three Tons of Books Donated to Boys & Girls Clubs

More than three tons of children’s books were delivered Wednesday to the Salvation Army’s six Boys & Girls Clubs in the Tulsa area. The books were donated by Save the Children and came from the Heineman-Raintree Publishers. Gloria Kelley, a member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, spearheaded the project to get books in the hands of children who might not have books of their own. Gloria said that Bruce Treadway with the Oklahoma Education Association was also instrumental in securing the books. The books are primarily non-fiction and suitable to school children of all ages. At the Salvation Army West Mabee Boys & Girls Club, kids attending Summer Day Camp got to help staff unpack the books. (Below are Jaylen Crawford, Kayla Sharp & Tyra Mason.)

Some of the books will be shelved in the club’s computer room, and duplicates will be sent home with the kids to keep. During the unpacking and sorting the kids picked out their favorites. The West Mabee girls liked a book named “Clean and Healthy,” while the boys were more interested in “Ancient Egypt: Pharohs & Priests” and “Life in a Hopi Village.” David Litterell, Executive Director of all the clubs, said he was extremely appreciative of Gloria’s work coordinating the project. Judging from the kids’ excitement, they are very appreciative too!
-Sallie

Mabee Red Shield Boys & Girls Club Visits Art Gallery

Take one of the most upscale shopping areas in Tulsa, put 39 excited kids in it, add two artists and one very patient rescue dog named Sweetie and you can get a picture of the Mabee Red Shield Boys & Girls Club field trip to Abersons Exhibits art gallery in Brookside.

The field trip was organized by Miss LaDonna, the Young Rembrandts art teacher and volunteer at Mabee Red Shield. All year, she teaches the kids about famous artists and how they work. This was the first time the kids had a chance to meet a Tulsa-based artist, Kim Fonder, and attend an exhibit in an art gallery. “Did you know that some grownups go to a city and see an art gallery and they’re afraid to go in?” she asked the kids. “How many of you are going to go into another art gallery when you get the chance?” Every hand in the room shot up. The kids had many questions about Ms. Fonder’s large abstract expressionist paintings. She has shown and sold paintings all over the country and abroad and her works are also in many private collections in Tulsa. She helped the kids with their own art project, drawing something meaningful to them with only one marker. Afterward, the kids who stood up and shared what their drawing was about were given prizes. “Some artists are shy about showing and talking about their art but now you can see how important it is,” Ms. Fonder said. Overall, the kids were well behaved and shyness didn’t seem to be a problem. Thank you Miss LaDonna and Ms. Fonder for the inspiring field trip!

-Sallie

BBQ & Tex Mex = Food for Hope

Ready for some mouth-watering news? How about some BBQ and Tex-Mex? ( My two favorite major food groups.)  Ricardos Mexican Restaurant, Rib Crib, El Chico Cafes and Chili’s have signed on to participate in the Salvation Army Food for Hope campaign, Mon., Aug. 9 – Fri., Aug. 13. Food for Hope is a “dine out to help out” program to raise money for the meal program at TSA’s Center of Hope homeless shelter and social services center. As the recession lingers, the need for hot meals at the shelter has risen 32 percent since 2008. The Center of Hope serves an average of 1,000 meals a day. During Food for Hope Week, 15 percent of the cost of your meal will be donated to Food for Hope. Here’s how it works: Go to any QuikTrip and pick up a Food for Hope entry form. Check salarmytulsa.blogspot.com for a list of participating restaurants. Pick a restaurant, fill out the form and give it to your wait person. Fifteen percent of your pre-tax tab will be donated to Food for Hope and your name will be entered in a drawing for a $1,000 QuikTrip gift card.  Your wait person will be entered in a drawing for a $100 QuikTrip gift card. It’s a win-win for everyone!
-Sallie

Salvation Army EFA Program Helps People Pay Utility Bills - Eating Pancakes Can Help Too!

Skiatook resident Jaymie Swift has something in common with hundreds of people who walk in the doors at the Center of Hope every Monday through Thursday at  9 a.m. She received a cut-off notice from the company where she gets her water and if it’s not paid by the next day, her water will be cut off. Thankfully, Emergency Financial Assistance (EFA) Case Manager Cathy Kumm was able to quickly determine that Mrs. Swift’s home is in Tulsa County and that she was eligible for assistance. Like many of the people who apply for EFA, Mrs. Swift said it’s the first time in her life that she’s had to ask for help.

“We’re a middle class family. My husband was a welder and he always made good money until he was laid off,” she said.

Mrs. Swift is unable to work because she has lupus. Since Mr. Swift’s unemployment benefits expired, the only income the couple has is her Social Security disability benefit, which is not enough to cover bills.  The Swifts receive food from a food bank while they wait to be approved for  food stamps.  What keeps the couple going? “Hope that my husband will find a new job and lots and lots of prayer,” Mrs. Swift said.

To help raise money for the EFA program The Salvation Army is holding a Pancake “FUNraiser “ Sat., July 17, at the Broken Arrow Boys & Girls Club, 1400 W. Washington, Broken Arrow. Pancakes, sausage links, and juice will be served from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost is $5 for adults and $2.50 for kids under 12. A Jupiter Jump and other inflatables will be there for the kids. All the proceeds will go to funding EFA.

Come eat some pancakes and do a good deed at the same time!
-Sallie

BA Youth of the Year Speaks at Golf Tourney

The Salvation Army Broken Arrow Boys & Girls Youth of the Year, Chelse Osburn, didn’t seem the least bit nervous telling her story to a room full of golfers and kids at the Boys & Girls Charity Golf Tournament held recently at the Tulsa Country Club. Chelse (pronouced Chelsea)  became a member of the BA club when she was four years old.  She says she didn’t have a choice – her grandmother is Janis Fraley, director of the club. “I love that she is my granny. She has played a big role in what I want to do in my life,” she said. After taking college basics at Tulsa Community College, Chelse plans to major in elementary education and wants to teach second grade. In addition to being a club member, she has also volunteered and worked at the club as a lifeguard and a Summer Camp counselor. “It’s the kids who inspire me,” Chelse said. And the kids in the room seemed pretty inspired by Chelse.
-Sallie