Back to School: Volunteer Needs

School is in session! Hearing this is music to any parent’s ears, to students…not so much. 

As we gear down and start getting our Boys & Girls Club members into a new routine it’s important to start establishing good habits. 

One habit that proves to be highly effective to improve students’ learning and retention ability is to have a study buddy or a homework helper to assist in what kids sometimes view as the mundane task of doing homework.  Study buddies or homework helpers are volunteers who assist our club members with homework assignments at any of our 6 Boys & Girls Club locations.

 A study buddy can help a student in many ways from just letting the child read out loud to you to you to reviewing basic math problems. As a volunteer tutor you can help as much or as little as you are comfortable with! 

There are lots of benefits for kids who have a study buddy!
•    Fewer distractions then in a traditional classroom.
•    Able to focus on a specific area of interest
•    Helps build confidence and self-esteem. Perhaps the single most important factor in learning.
•    Catch-up sometimes kids miss things in class, having a homework helper is the perfect way to review materials.
•    SHYNESS! Sometimes a kid who is shy will back away from asking questions in a classroom, having a tutor who is there just to help them makes it easier to ask questions.

Pancake Breakfast Reveals Clubs’ Impact on Youth

An early morning United Way fundraising event gives us an inside view of the Boys & Girls Clubs in action...

Getting up at 4:30am to flip pancakes for a bunch of kids at the Broken Arrow Boys & Girls Club was something that didn’t really appeal to me. Don’t get me wrong: I love pancakes, sausage and kids. It was the 4:30am wake-up call that hurt.

We were having a pancake breakfast for Club members to raise money for the United Way. The kids started arriving at 7am, so we had to start cooking early. The aroma of pancakes and sausages attracted three young girls that we couldn’t get out of the kitchen. But while they enjoyed hanging out with the “older girls,” we learned a lot about their summer experience at the Club.

12-year-old Corrin, 10-year-old Madeline and 9-year-old Isabella never met before this summer. They are different ages and go to different schools. But they say they’re now friends for life and don’t look forward to saying good-bye to their summer at the Club.

“I will have to bring a lot of Kleenex next Friday, our last day,” says Corrin.
“Yeah, these people are like family to me,” says Isabella.
“These people are my family,” Corrin says.

Yet, they’ve only known each other for a few months. The girls say the experiences they’ve shared and the day-to-day conversations and interactions have made the summer of 2013 one to remember. For Corrin, the best part of summer camp was going horseback riding at Sequoyah Stables. Isabella enjoyed going to Incredible Pizza while Madeline loved Frontier City Amusement Park.
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After cooking about 100 pancakes, I took a peek inside the Club’s gymnasium and started to understand why these kids were having so much fun. The kids were in different groups: some were taking turns shooting baskets. The smaller kids hopped on scooters and played chase on the other side of the gym. Some of the girls sat in the stands talking to each other. I counted about seven different groups doing different things, but all had one thing in common: they were smiling, having a good time and were entertained.

Thanks to me and a few of my co-workers, they were also full of pancakes and sausage.

I often talk to people about what our Boys & Girls Clubs do for our kids, but I don’t always get a chance to see that in action. Getting a glimpse of why Corrin, Madeline and Isabella say this was “the best summer ever” made that 4:30am wake-up call not so bad after all.

-Carrie

  
       

14th Annual B&G Club Charity Golf Tournament A Success!

Camaro from Jim Glover

 A sports car, dozens of door prizes and a random pop-up storm are just a few of the exciting aspects of the 14th Annual Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Tulsa Golf Tournament. The event was held Monday, July 22nd at Tulsa Country Club.

Title Sponsor Jim Glover Chevrolet added a little extra fun to Hole #14: a 2013 Camaro 2SS Convertible to the person who could hit a hole-in-one. Although a few golfers came close, no one was able to claim the prize. Mike Lewis from Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson LLP did claim a prize that has many co-workers excited: a recliner from Mathis Brothers. Lewis says there are a few pregnant women in his office that plan to put the recliner in what will be a “mother’s room.” As a new mom myself, I love that idea!

1st Place Midfirst Bank team

There are always a few surprises at golf tournaments but no one expected Mother Nature to put a halt on the tournament just before the second flight took off. A storm came through and knocked down a few limbs and the QuarterShare Beef Sticks tent! Many of the players checked their iPhones and grabbed a few extra beverages before their play began about 30 minutes later. The players got to enjoy cooler temperatures for about another hour before the July humidity came back!

The smallest volunteers present.

Club members from all six Boys & Girls Clubs got to interact with the players both on and off the golf course. The 2013 event is the most successful, bringing in 43 teams, several new sponsors and close to $70,000 that will go directly to our six Boys & Girls Clubs!

Charity Golf Tournament scheduled for July 22

Felix Jones with North Mabee Mustangs

Tulsa Metro Salvation Army Boys and Girls Clubs will benefit

Some of the best professional athletes in Oklahoma first learned how to play their sport in one of our six Boys & Girls Clubs: Philadelpia Eagles running back Felix Jones and San Diego Chargers receiver Robert Meachem are just a few of them.  Now a group of businessmen and women are using a sport to raise money and awareness for our Clubs.
The 14th Annual Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Tulsa Charity Golf Tournament is returning to Tulsa County Club on July 22.  This year, golfers will get an opportunity to play on the same course as some of the best female college golfers. In May 2014, Tulsa Country Club will host the NCAA Women’s Golf Championship.
For the first time ever, the tournament will have a Women’s Division, which offers ladies-only teams a chance to win a separate title!
  

Golfers at the 2012 tournament

The Boys & Girls Clubs Charity Golf Tournament has two flights: the AM flight has a shotgun start at 8am, the PM flight begins at 1:30pm. Spots are still available in both flights.  Sponsorships ranging from a Hole ($200) to Gold ($2,500) are also still available.  A team entry is $800.  The entry fee includes a team photo, greens fee, cart, practice range, lunch, a complimentary gift and the awards celebration. Several door prizes will also be awarded, including a recliner from Mathis Brothers!
This golf tournament gets bigger and bigger each year and this is your opportunity to become a part of a great summer tradition for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Tulsa.
If you’re interested in sponsoring or entering a team, please contact me at carrie_salce@uss.salvationarmy.org or call 918-587-7801 ext. 121.

-Carrie

King Eddie gives BA Boys & Girls Club his all

BA volunteer Eddie B. with
Janis Fraley, Club Director

It's impossible to write about The Salvation Army Broken Arrow Boys & Girls Club without writing about Eddie Ballentine. It's also impossible to define his role at the club, because he is a combination of Challenger, volunteer greeter and personal assistant to  club director Janis Fraley. Eddie has been coming to the club for 17 years. His nickname is "King Eddie," and  the club had it painted on a bench for him at the entrance.

When Janis  told Eddie that he was going to be interviewed for a blog post, she said he was really excited. I think he had saved up things he wanted to tell me and although he was nervous, he did very well.

Eddie and his bench in front of the club

Eddie has diverse duties at the club. He’s there at 9 every weekday morning " to pick up things on the copier and take them to Miss Janis to save her a few steps," and stays until 5 p.m. except when he stays until 8 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays. On Monday evenings he participates in club-chartered Boys Scout Troop 995. This year the troop awarded him the "Citizen of the Community" award, Eddie said.

On Tuesday evenings, he participates in Men's Fellowship at the Broken Arrow Corps. When it was his turn to teach a class, he stepped up to the plate. "It was very popular. The men were talking about it for weeks," Captain Mike Lucas, corps officer said.

When the weather is nice and younger club members play in the sandbox, Eddie watches them to make sure they don’t get sand in their eyes. "It burns," he said. Eddie likes to give tours of the club and he also likes showing new members how to get to the pool. His other duties might be described as “pitch in as needed,” which  is not unusual for any volunteer job.

Several times a week, Eddie takes time off from the club to work with a job coach who helps him prepare paper for shredding. Although he likes getting  paid, he told me he likes his volunteer job at the club better. Why?
“I’m needed here,” he said.

That made my day Eddie. You are the King! -Sallie

So you think you can dance? So can the Challengers!

The Salvation Army Broken Arrow Boys & Girls Club hosts Red Carpet Formal

Challengers dance to "Y.M.C.A."

The Broken Arrow Boys & Girls Club hosted their second annual Challengers’ Red Carpet Formal and this time around I got to attend it! The Challengers are a group of developmentally disabled kids and adults who are sponsored by the Club. I was touched to see the Club host the dance for the Challengers, since some of them might never have attended a high school prom. BA Club Director Janis Fraley and aquatics instructor Shelley Persinger both have huge hearts for the Challengers and their dedication to the group showed in every little detail at the formal.

This young lady is waiting for her guy.

First, the club really did roll out red carpet and the Challengers walked on it as they entered the gym through a gazebo decorated with spring flowers.  Many of the Challengers dressed up in prom attire, but just like every prom, there are always a few who come casual. A professional DJ played classics such as YMCA and the Macarena, threw in some rock for the kids and even some from Frank Sinatra for the parents (and me).

BA Club receptionist Holly Jones talked her photographer husband Kent into shooting portraits of couples. The BA staff had set up the fitness room for his studio, and he brought lights and a backdrop.

Ladies from the BA Corps donated homemade desserts, the club provided a main course and Challenger parents also brought appetizers and desserts. Unlike a prom, the Red Carpet Formal “refreshments” turned out to be a full dinner.

Shelley Persinger, left, serves dinner.

Not only did the formal give Challengers an opportunity  to have fun,  the dance also gave Challenger parents an opportunity to relax with their mostly-grown children and visit with other Challenger parents.

Challenger Kaylee Thomason's parents, Allen and Merise Roberts, said the dance was a great time for their kids to get out and have a wonderful time.(Kaylee and Merise are in the left photo.) I caught them dancing several times with Kaylee and also with each other, which was sweet. It’s a wonderful thing to see what a Boys & Girls Club can do when a special group of people inspires them to give it their all. I’m looking forward to the third annual Challengers Formal!

–Sallie

Million-dollar fundraiser a kids’ affair

Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club members played the key role in William Booth Society Dinner

The Boys & Girls Club Chorus

I almost felt as if I were in a Boys & Girls Club. I saw some of my usual club buddies but instead of hearing shouts of "Take my picture Miss Sallie!" when I saw them, they stood quietly wearing their party manners, coats, ties, and dresses. I can't take one iota of credit for that, but it still made me proud. The 20th Annual William Booth Society Dinner, The Tulsa Area Command’s major fundraiser, featured Boys & Girls Club members from all six metro Tulsa clubs.

Mason Pritzlaff, BA Club

The first clue to the kid-themed evening was a beautiful display of Boys & Girls Club art and photography which guests viewed as they walked to the lobby of the Tulsa Convention Center. Members from the clubs greeted guests and answered questions about their artwork, but that was only the start. At 7 p.m. when the doors opened to the ballroom for dinner, guests walked through a gauntlet formed by the winners of the Youth of the Year contest. I walked through the gauntlet several times because it was just so much fun. When guests found their tables, the first thing they noticed was the unique centerpieces, designed by Mason Pritzlaff, a nine-year-old member of the Broken Arrow Boys & Girls Club.

When event co-chair Charlotte Edmundson was researching options for the event last summer, she toured all six of the clubs and landed on the idea of a kid-centered event. At the start of the dinner, a Boys & Girls Club Chorus sang “God Bless America” and “The National Anthem” before Boy Scout Troop 995 from the Broken Arrow Boys & Girls Club led the Color Guard.

Nakylyn Walters, W. Mabee

West Mabee club member Nakylan Walters gave the welcome speech because Charlotte had met him when he took the stage at a club dinner she attended. “After all the adults and youths spoke and we were getting ready to leave, Nakylan unexpectedly asked to speak and took the stage to say what the club meant to him. He was the youngest one to speak at that dinner, and  I knew then that he was the one to give the welcome because I wanted to give him the biggest stage we had,” Charlotte said.

Youth of the Year Tulsa Anthony Wilson from the West Mabee Boys & Girls Club gave a speech in front of the crowd of almost 800 guests and guest speaker Bob Costas. How’s that for pressure on a 17-year-old? Anthony's come a long way since I first interviewed him and he seemed incredibly shy.

Anthony Wilson

But he was almost as poised as State Senator Jabar Shumate, who grew up in the North Mabee Boys & Girls Club and preceded Anthony with his testimonial. The fundraiser grossed $1,075,849. Much of the funding will go to help members of the Boys & Girls Club in addition to others who need it most. For a wonderful slide show of the event created by Tulsa World photographer Cory Young, click here. And don't miss the photo of Nakylan dressed up in his coat and tie! -Sallie
 

Start planning for summer!

 Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs need Day Camp volunteers

Water gun fights, spending all day at the movies, exploring museums, hanging out with a great group of kids all day while providing fun and entertaining learning experiences...

What do all these things have in common?

Learning to putt

This is the average day of a summer camp volunteer at a Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club!

Exploring exhibits at Philbrook

 Our Day Camps are open from early morning until evening and we always need extra hands to help us ensure the kids are having the best summer ever!

Picking out books

We have Clubs located in Tulsa, Sand Springs, Broken Arrow and Sapulpa and we are open all summer long! Last summer, over 827 children were served EVERY DAY across our 6 Club locations.

If sounds like something you would be interested in or would just like more information call 918-587-7801 or e-mail me at Jenny_McElyea@uss.salvationarmy.org.

And the winner is...

Boys & Girls Clubs announce the Youth of the Year!

Jamar Giddings, Anthony Wilson

You’ve read about the candidates for the Tulsa Youth of the Year; Anthony, Charles and Neariah. So here’s the big news: Anthony won!
First, I want to tell you about his speech. As he had told me earlier, it was from the heart.  I’m willing to bet that it touched the hearts of every person in the room.

After an introduction by Jamar Giddings, West Mabee club director, Anthony told about how at the age of six, Giddings and another club staff member protected him from a grown man who was beating him up in the park next to the club. Giddings got the man off Wilson and called police who arrested him. The man was Wilson’s father.

“With the club, I knew I was safe. I knew there was always somewhere I could go where I would be protected,” Anthony said.



Janis Fraley, BA Club Director
and Neariah Persinger

 The banquet was attended by about 100 people who enjoyed a buffet dinner and speeches from all three candidates. Boys & Girls Club Leadership Council Chair Aaron Massey served as emcee.

When Jamar introduced Anthony before he made his speech, he said Anthony was the only club volunteer who was willing to come to the club on Saturday mornings to prepare for athletic events.
“Anthony was at the club whenever it was open and he would volunteer to do anything – clean up, supervise kids – anything,” Giddings said.
 

Jerome Smith, Mabee Red Shield Director
and Charles Gordon



The runner up for the Tulsa Metro Youth of the Year was Neariah and the third place winner for the was Charles. Both youths can run for Youth of the Year from their clubs next year also. The next step for Anthony will be to compete in the statewide Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year contest held in Oklahoma City. If he wins that competition, he’ll compete for the Regional Youth of the Year. We’re cheering for you Anthony!

 – Sallie

Salvation Army Easter Services

Easter is here already, can you believe it? It seems like yesterday I was writing a post about Christmas. How do you celebrate Easter -- by hunting brightly colored eggs, eating the ears off of chocolate bunnies, going to church? Maybe all three?  No matter how you celebrate Easter, have you thought about what Easter is or even how in the world the Easter bunny lays eggs?

Let’s start with the easy one first. Easter is the holiday we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus on the third day after his crucifixion. Okay, now for the slightly harder question, how did an egg-laying bunny come into play? Well, the first mention of Oschter Haws  (i.e the Easter Bunny) was mentioned in German writings back in the 1600s. Oschter Haws is a rabbit that lays a nest full of brightly colored eggs and candy for good boys and girls. The idea of Oschter Haws was brought to America in the 1700 by Dutch settlers.

Rabbits are known for their fertility especially during the spring (when we celebrate Easter) and eggs have been regarded as a symbol of new life since early Roman times. Put them both together and you have the Easter Bunny. A symbolic representation of the new life we have through Christ who died but rose again.

If you are looking for a church service or maybe a lovely Easter lunch then please consider joining us at one of our Corps.

Tulsa Citadel- 3901 East 28th Street, Tulsa.  Sunday School 10a.m., Morning Services 11a.m.

Center of Hope-102 North Denver Ave, Tulsa.  Easter Lunch 11a.m. -2 p.m., Evening Service 6:30 p.m.

Broken Arrow Corps- 1400 West Washington, Broken Arrow. Sunday School 9:45 a.m., Morning Services 11 a.m.

Sand Springs Corps-4403 South 129th West Avenue, Sand Springs.  Breakfast and fellowship 9:15 a.m., Sunday School 10 a.m., Morning Service 11a.m.


-Jenny

Boys & Girls Spring Into Action!

Club kiddos 'spring' into action!

Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club members are Springing Into Action today as they sell QuarterShare beef sticks in the first citywide club fundraising project ever. All six clubs in the Tulsa Metro area are participating in "Spring Into Action" a Boys & Girls Club fundraising program to sell QuarterShare Gourmet beef sticks. QuarterShare will give 50 percent of the profits from the sale of the beef sticks for funding the needs of the clubs.

Club cuties with QuarterShare beef sticks!

Then club members decide what to buy with the money they raise. The beef sticks will be sold from the clubs, on line and at area Walmart stores. The club that sells the most beef sticks will win a pizza party and the club member who sells the most beef sticks from their club will win a bike.

An exciting pep rally kicked off the campaign Wednesday, with an appearance by Hornsby, the Tulsa Drillers mascot, who had fun with Major April Taylor, master of ceremonies for the event. About 200 club members watched from the bleachers of the North Mabee Boys & Girls Club gym. Club directors Bethany Pousinho, Sand Springs, and Jake Law, Sapulpa demonstrated selling techniques.

Hornsby and Major April kick off the pep rally.

The members were also fascinated as members of the Oklahoma Defenders, an arena football team, talked how they to set and meet goals. Then students from Apollo's Martial Arts demonstrated how to break  thick wooden boards with their hands and feet.  It turns out that Apollo is an alumnus of the Mabee Red Shield Boys & Girls Club!

After the rally, club members lined up to get autographs from Defenders members, one of whom is an alum from the North Mabee Club. Randy "Boom Boom" Blake, a world champion kick boxer, also signed autographs. Club members left the rally pumped up to sell beef sticks!

To learn more, watch for "Spring Into Action" commercials on KOKI FOX-23 with Jeff Bruccaleri and listen to K-95.5FM and MIX 96 radio stations talk about the campaign during morning drive time.

Apollo Martial Arts students overcome obstacles!

We’re very grateful to our media partners for supporting Spring Into Action. To buy QuarterShare beef sticks, ask a member of the nearest club, watch for them at Walmart stores on March 30 and April 6,or click here to order online.

Oklahoma Defenders arena football team talk about setting goals.

 

Record-breaking swimmer is BA Youth of the Year

Neariah's butterfly stroke

When my kids were in high school they hated answering questions. So before I interview high schoolers, I always wonder how it will go. I never should have worried about interviewing Neariah Persinger, the high school junior who is the Broken Arrow Boys & Girls Club  Youth of the Year. She is respectful, polite, modest and fun as we like all of our Boys & Girls Club members to be. Neariah will compete with two other Boys & Girls Club nominees for the honor of becoming Metro Tulsa's Youth of the Year. The decision will be announced at the Boys &
Girls Club banquet slated for Thurs., March 25 at University of Tulsa.

She is also the daughter of Shelley Persinger, who has been with the BA club’s aquatics program since Neariah was five years old, and Shelley is one of my favorite people. When I asked Neariah what she remembered about the club from when she was five, she said “playing in the sandbox.”
She has moved from the sandbox to the pool and in a big way: she broke two state swimming records that were 10 years old in the freestyle and butterfly strokes. The event was USA Swimming’s “New Year’s Invitational.”  In addition to swimming, Neariah is first or second in her class in academics. However, she revealed with a laugh that there are only two people in her class at New Covenant Academy in Broken Arrow.

5 Things You Don't Know About the Broken Arrow B&GClub

A few weeks ago, I went to visit the Boys & Girls Club down in Broken Arrow. I was familiar by sight with the Club, since I got married at Tarp Chapel across the street, lo these 5+ years ago.

Anyway, I met with longtime Club Director, Janis Fraley to pick her brain a little bit about grant-related needs and then got a grand tour of her Club. 

Here are five things that I learned about what makes the Boys and Girls Club of Broken Arrow wonderful and unique.

1. In addition to more traditional team sports like basketball and baseball, they Club is also home to an active karate program. And Ms. Janis has been teaching karate for more than 25 years!

Swimming = happy Club kids!

2. The Club's indoor swimming pool hosts Club open swim, community water aerobics, oh and, practices for the Broken Arrow High School varsity swim team.

3. Boy Scout Troop 995 meets at the Club every month and there are a LOT of Eagle Scout projects beautifying the Club property-- they've built picnic tables, sand boxes, and even outdoor decks for the Club kids use! 

4. Janis knows how to line up the support. When I visited, they were about a week out from the recent Bouncin' BBQ and had silent auction baskets stacked from floor to ceiling! Add to all those donated items, the recently donated desks and chairs from Ferguson Pontiac there in Broken Arrow, Janis' Club was chock full of community support!

Swinging = happy Challenger kids!

5. Lastly, the BA Club is known for miles around for their Challenger programs designed for "differently abled" children and youth. More than 150 physically and/or mentally challenged kids play team sports on the "Challenger" baseball field, play on the wheelchair accessible swings and lap the fields on the Challenger Walk.

Pretty cool, huh? 
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If have an interest in helping out at this great Club, you could volunteer your time or resources at the Club itself; contact Jenny McElyea Volunteer Coordinator at 918-587-7801

 Also, Teen area could use 2 new couches--teens sure are hard on furniture, aren't they? 

And lastly, Janis is collecting sponsors for Phase III of the Challenger Walk/Playground Expansion! Contact her directly for more information about this opportunity; 918-258-7545.
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Rock on, BA! I'm impressed and inspired by what all you have going on at your amazing Club!

~Vicki

Bouncin' BBQ a hit in BA

Dear Major Taylor,
I’m going to need a panoramic lens for my camera if you want me to photograph the baskets at the Broken Arrow Bouncin’ BBQ next year. They had 125 gift baskets up for auction and they sold all but two of them! They made $5,000! This will help the BA Boys & Girls Clubs with club programs and help ensure they are Doing the Most Good in their community.

That lens will also come in handy for the rows and rows of people waiting to bid on items in the live auction. And what about Boy Scout Troop 995? I rounded up of few of them, but they were all over the gym helping with everything from serving people food to busing tables. It was like herding cats!

 Also, I’m going to need a camera with a high speed sports setting to capture kids bouncing on the inflatables. Fortunately this little boy, left, stayed still for a few seconds so I could photograph him. And, I was able to talk a few people into posing for me. Above right is Janis Fraley, club director and head of the Bouncin BBQ, with her two club alums who visit every year, and left, Kelly Walker with her family and friends and baskets.

Captain Lori Lucas had Marjorie Banks, a club member who participates in water aerobics, help her with check out. The BBQ was a lot of fun. I had a great time, and I think everyone who attended did too, but maybe we can get together soon and talk about that new camera?
Thanks,

Sallie

Boys & Girls Clubs have busy spring ahead

West Mabee girl cooks

BBQ, Basketball and an Army of Stars among the activities benefiting Boys & Girls Clubs!
As I prepare for another child in my household, I know my life is about to change. It’s going to get busier, louder and more fun. It’s a lot of work taking care of kids – so imagine having to take care of five-thousand!

That’s what the staff at our six Boys & Girls Clubs endures throughout the year. Each Club is unique and does a great job of helping children in its neighborhood. But these Clubs need your support – and there are several opportunities to help, while also having some fun. Take a look at some of the events and fundraisers planned in the next few months for Clubs:

BA's Bouncin' BBQ

Thurs., Feb. 21st, 7pm – West Mabee Thank You Dinner & Fashion Show – 2143 South Olympia. The West Mabee Boys & Girls Club has a cooking class and some generous people donated appliances to this program. The kids are going to cook a special thank you for these donors, followed by a fashion show.

Fri., Mar. 1st, 6pm-8:30pm - BA Bouncin' BBQ –BA Boys & Girls Club, on 91st between 145th and 161st. Inflatables, BBQ, live music, silent/live auction – everything you need to entertain your family on a Friday night! Tickets: $15 for Adults, $10 for Children, $40 for a Family Pack of 4. Benefits the Broken Arrow Boys & Girls Club – call 918-835-6902 to get tickets.
  
Sat., Mar. 2nd, 6:30pm – Sand Springs Army of Stars – 4403 S. 129th W. Ave., Sand Springs. The Army of Stars banquet is a wonderful tradition in Sand Springs honoring our outstanding Club kids. The event includes a silent and live auction and dinner. Tickets: $35. Benefits the Sand Springs Boys & Girls Club – call 918-245-2237 for more information.
  
Sat., Mar. 9th, 9am – West Mabee 2nd Annual Teen 5K Fun Run – Rogers State University, Claremore. Eat too much barbeque at Bouncing BBQ? Grab an extra dessert at Army of Stars? Then strap on your shoes and head to Rogers State University for a fun, 3-mile jog.  Tickets: only $10!!! Benefits the West Mabee Boys & Girls Club - call 918-582-4327 for more information.