BA Welcomes New Officers

Captains Mike and Lori Lucas started their new assignment in Broken Arrow last week and they are thrilled to be in BA. "Everything is so easy to find and I like all the amenities,” Capt. Lori said. Both Captains are also excited about working with the experienced and knowledgeable staff at the B. A. Boys & Girls Club. The Lucas family moved to the BA Corps after being the officers in charge of The Salvation Army in Ponca City.

The Lucas family includes Hannah,10; Mark, 9; Jacob, 7 and Gracelynn, 13 months. The couple had tried for years to have birth children, but each of four pregnancies before Gracelynn ended in miscarriage. They began the complicated process of adoption while serving in Ada, and had an instant family when they adopted a sibling group who was in foster care. “The process went so unexpectedly fast, it was a God thing,” Capt. Mike said. And just as amazing was when Capt. Lori gave birth to Gracelynn on June, 7th, 2010, whom they nicknamed “Miracle Baby.” The three older children are enjoying Day Camp at the Boys & Girls Club and Club Director Janis Fraley held a surprise open house at the Club last week to introduce the couple to the community. Welcome to the Tulsa Area Command, Lucas family. It’s good to get to know you!

-Sallie

Stay Cool at the Center of Hope

With temperatures in the triple digits and little hope for relief, here’s a reminder that The Salvation Center of Hope at 102 N. Denver is designated by the City of Tulsa as an official Cooling Station. That means anyone can stop by for a cool drink of water and sit in the air-conditioned lobby 24/7. The Center’s front desk employees have not seen many new guests coming in to cool off yet, but as air conditioners break down, this could change. Although the Center of Hope is a homeless shelter and social services center, a person does not have to be homeless to use its services during extreme weather. Remember, drink plenty of water and watch for signs of heat exhaustion: heavy sweating, feeling weak and/or confused, dizziness, nausea, headache and fast heart beat.  Stay cool!

-Sallie

Buffalo Wild Wings Helps Tornado Victims

Buffalo Wild Wings® Grill & Bar announced on June 22 that it will donate 10 percent of non-alcoholic sales to The Salvation Army’s Tornado Relief Fund. Tulsa location in Broken Arrow and Tulsa will be participating in this great event!

“We are always looking for ways to give back to our local community and hopefully help our guests as well,” said Kathy Benning, Buffalo Wild Wings® Executive Vice President Global Marketing & Brand Development.  “By offering 10% of sales on June 29 to The Salvation Army, Buffalo Wild Wings and our guests are supporting our friends and neighbors. We are confident that our combined efforts will greatly help the lives of those impacted by the recent horrific tornados.”

Over 400 restaurants are participating nation-wide including both Tulsa area locations. Guests can visit any participating Buffalo Wild Wings® on June 29 and 10% of the food sale will benefit The Salvation Army Tornado Relief.

“Buffalo Wild Wings’ dedication to service is a blessing.  Through this partnership, Salvation Army caseworkers and disaster response personnel will serve even more survivors as they rebuild their lives and homes.” Jeff Jellets, Territorial Disaster Coordinator for The Salvation Army.

Customers unable to visit a restaurant can also donate online at www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org.

Personally, I love Buffalo Wild Wings! It has been too long since I visited one so I am super excited for this opportunity to enjoy my favorite wings and help The Salvation Army at the same time.  So, get a group together for lunch or load up your family for dinner, just go! I promise you won't be disappointed! 

~Lindsay

Mabee Red Shield Leaders Honored

It’s not often a person gets to be the warm-up act for sixties music legend Chubby Checkers, but that’s what happened Sunday. Well, kind of. Mabee Red Shield Boys & Girls Club Director Jerome Smith and Red Shield Athletic Director Sam Berry both took the stage at the Jazz Depot to be honored for their contributions to youth and music. The awards ceremony was the last in the Juneteenth celebration, held Saturday and Sunday. Leon Rollerson, MC and originator of the event, said Jerome’s work with the young people at the North Harvard Club was outstanding.

“A lot of people talk the game, but you do the game. You’re telling kids, not hundreds, but thousands of kids through the years, ‘we’re here for you’ and you are,” Rollerson said. When he recognized Sam, he said that 10 years ago there were 10-15 gospel groups performing in Tulsa and now there are only four or five. “You are the last of the gospel singers and you’re passing it on to the kids,” he said. Rollerson teased the audience by pretending to introduce several celebrities during the event, then saying they couldn’t make it to Tulsa. So by the time Chubby Checkers was introduced, the audience was prepared to be let down. Instead, Mr. “Let’s Do the Twist” took the stage to wild applause. But for The Salvation Army, parents and kids, Jerome and Sam deserve the most applause for hanging in there, year after year. No one-hit wonders at Mabee Red Shield! Congratulations Sam and Jerome!

-Sallie

Good Turnout for Fun Day

Approximately 150 visitors, parents and kids showed up at the Mabee Red Shield Boys & Girls Club Saturday for “Fun Day,”   according to Jerome Smith, the Club’s Director. The purpose of Fun Day was to showcase the many activities the Club offers to attract new members. Participants were offered a variety of activities including sports, arts and lunch. Despite temperatures of 97 degrees, football enthusiasts learned new moves in a mini clinic while the StarZ Dance Team performed in the gym. North Mabee Athletic Director Kenny King flipped burgers on the grill and kids had their faces painted by Young Rembrandts representatives.  Parents talked to reps from the Boy Scouts, H&R Block, Pratt College and Mary Kay. Young kids enjoyed a Jupiter Jump while moms and grandmas listened to Red Shield Athletic Director Sam Berry and a member of his gospel quartet sing gospel music. Many thanks go to KJAMZ 105.3 radio for promoting Fun Day on the air. And thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make Fun Day a smashing success!


  -Sallie

Wanted: Couch Potatoes

To get couch potatoes off the sofa and into fitness, the Broken Arrow Boys & Girls Club has begun an “After Hours Sports” program at the Club on 1400 W. Washington. On Mondays from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., all ages can play volleyball. Tuesdays, also 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., the Men’s League meets for basketball. Kids ages 13 to 16 get to play basketball on Thursdays, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. On Friday evenings, all ages play rugby from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. All of the Sports Night programs cost $2 a night and participants must be a member of the BA Club to attend.

Boy Scout Troop 995: Heroes in BA

You might have seen them serving food at the BA Bouncin’ Barbecue. Maybe you were there when they conducted a flag ceremony at an awards dinner. They might have handed you a cup of water at the BA Family Triathlon. They are the members of Boy Scout Troop 995 and they are heroes to the Broken Arrow Boys & Girls Club. Just ask a Challenger kid. The Challenger program is designed for developmentally disabled kids to participate in activities at whatever level they can. Troop 995 members help the Challengers in their swimming and art classes.

From left at the Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast are: Lt. Russell Clay; Alex Walker, Troop 995 member and State Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year; Tammy Pinley, Scout Leader; Janis Fraley, BA Boys & Girls Club Program Director.

Troop 995 leader Tammy Pinley added up the troop's volunteer hours and estimated 300 hours, but that’s probably low. “The troop gives The Salvation Army a tremendous gift of time, especially when you consider that they are in school most of the day,” said Rhonda McDaniel, volunteer coordinator. Last Christmas, Tammy and another leader, Mike Hall, put in five Saturdays, 12 hours each day, taking hot chocolate and snacks to the Scouts while they served as bell ringers last Christmas. They raised $9,000. Only one Troop 995 member could attend the recent Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast because the rest were in school, so here is your shout out: The Broken Arrow Salvation Army loves you and could not do the good they do without your help! 

-Sallie