Toys Drives Galore!

As Christmas speeds towards us and the Angel Tree deadline approaches (this Friday, the 13th!), I want to highlight other ways to contribute to those needy children on the Angel Tree. If you can't afford to fulfill an Angel's whole wish list, consider purchasing 1 or 2 toys and drop them off (new & unwrapped) at a local toy drive! This year, we have 11 local toy drives, supporting the "Forgotten Angels" of the Angel Tree. With so many options, there's one close to you!

Our annual partner, Bank of Oklahoma, is accepting toys at each of their local Tulsa area branch locations.

Another traditional partner is Oral Roberts University (ORU); we love having this generous college community on board. Word on the street is that the college students love taking a 'trip to their childhood' when they go to buy Legos, Playdough and baby dolls!

This year, we are honored to have a number of local businesses join us for another year! Participating businesses include:

 Merritt's Bakery (all 3 Tulsa locations)

Tweet 4 Toys

The Alliday Show

Apsco, Inc.

Firstar Bank

Andolini's Pizza (both locations, Tulsa and Owasso)

Dilly Deli (downtown Tulsa)

 and we want to welcome Lakewood Park apartment homes on board as well!

Both Andolini's Pizza and Dilly Deli will make it worth your while to come in, offering a generous free pizza or 20% off (respectively) for the donation of a new toy! Sounds like a lunch date to me!

Andolini's in particular is collecting for older children (9-12), who are often considered 'more difficult' to buy for...good options for older kids include Legos, magic sets, craft and art sets, sports balls, journals, etc.!


Lastly, we are excited to renew our relationship with our old friends the Tulsa Oilers, as they host their annual Teddy Bear Toss at the December 21st game! Bring a teddy bear to the game to toss on the ice at half time; bears will be delivered to St. Francis Children's Hospital and to the Salvation Army's Joy Center! And say hi to our volunteer bellringers as you go into the game!

 Help make these community toy drives a success; donate!

~Vicki (aka Toy Drive Queen)

Women’s Auxiliary Christmas Luncheon & Fashion Show Helps Holiday Shopping

“Try not to spend too much.”

These are words my husband says to me every year before I head out to The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary Christmas Luncheon & Fashion Show. I try to listen to his words of advice, but in the end, I usually come home with a box full of Christmas gifts from the amazing silent auction.

The treasures to be had via the silent auction are many! I now have a beautiful stained glass OU lamp that sits on my desk. Grants Administrator Vicki Thorne got some jewelry to give to her mother-in-law, mom, sister AND grandmother. Development Director Lindsay Sparks can now start her car from anywhere after she got remote start installed.  Jenny McElyea, Volunteer Coordinator, got a gift certificate that will help her organize her house. And last year in a good example of teamwork, the entire Development Department worked together to out-bid everyone to get three gift certificates from Krispy Kreme. 

We really like donuts.

So, of course, all of us at Area Command are looking forward to December 3rd, when the 61st Christmas Luncheon & Fashion Show takes place at the Cox Business Center!

 The 2013 theme is “Sounds of Christmas.”
 
Silent auction items include restaurant gift certificates, four tickets to a Kansas City Royals game and baskets and services from more than 100 local businesses. The live auction will feature items such as a flight over the Tulsa area in a Bi-Plane, dinner at a Tulsa Fire Station and a Hard Rock Golf getaway package. One lucky attendee will receive a beautiful piece of jewelry donated by Moody’s Jewelry. 

Last year’s event raised more than $115,000.

The Honorary Chair for the event is Konnie Boulter. Platinum donors include Richard and Norma Small and the Oxley Foundation. Silver donors include Stephanie and Al Howerton, Barnett Family Foundation, Debbie Cadieux, Ann McKellar, Burton Foundation and Bank of Oklahoma.

Tulsa media celebrities will model fashions from Miss Jackson’s and serve as escorts for the models. Kristin Dickerson of KTUL-Channel 8 will be master of ceremonies. Models and their escorts include: Dickerson, Caitlin Alexander, Laura Neal and Andrew Kozak of KTUL; Marla Carter, Breanne Palmerini and Justin Wilfon from KJRH; Lori Fullbright, Terry Hood and Rich Lenz from KOTV; Shae Rozzi, Brittany Jeffers and Clay Loney from Fox 23, Ziva Branstetter, Enterprise Editor of The Tulsa World; and Morgan Phillips, senior editor of Tulsa People magazine. The models will also be joined by Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary members Rozann Knight and Judi Barrett.

Tickets are $65. For reservations, call Barbara Richards Horn at 918-747-8316.

Be warned, if there’s a gift certificate to a place that involves chocolate – you may have to compete against a determined Development Department!

-Carrie

 

Championship Wins for Two Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Tulsa Football Teams

After months of long practices full of throwing, tackling and wind sprints, the 2013 football season in the American Youth Football Conference came to a close.

It ended on a high note for two teams: the North Mabee Mustangs and the Mabee Red Shield Cowboys. The 4th grade Mustangs team and the 3rd grade Cowboys team both won their championship game!!!

The 4th grade North Mabee Mustang team has a lot of talent. This marks the third year in a row this team has won the championship, winning as Mighty Mites (1st & 2nd grade) and as a 3rd grade team. The 4th grade team has NEVER lost a game!

The 3rd grade Mabee Red Shield team won a hard fought championship game 13-6. Mabee Red Shield’s 6th grade team also made it to the semi-finals.

West Mabee’s football teams also had a successful season. The 3rd, 4th and 5th grade teams all made it to the semi-final rounds of the playoffs.

Congratulations to all of the football teams, coaches, parents and support staff involved in the 2013 season!


-Carrie

North Mabee Boys & Girls Club Celebrates 40 Years

Some call it a “shining star” in North Tulsa, which some consider the most economically deprived area of the city. The North Mabee Boys & Girls Club is celebrating 40 years of changing lives in Tulsa by throwing a party. A big one. The Club is combining Homecoming at North Mabee with its 40th birthday celebration!

North Mabee is a place where kids can feel safe. Staff and volunteers work hard to show these kids how to be good citizens and let them know they have a chance in life. With a dark room, ballet classes and a recording studio, the Club exposes kids to the arts. It’s a place where kids discover they can dream big and those dreams can come true.

Kids in the recording studio

ACT/SAT prep with Ms. Carol

Tiny ballarinas!

North Mabee has an impressive list of alumni, including professional athletes, journalists, musicians, lawmakers and city leaders. 

Club Director Latrice Fowlkes has been with North Mabee for 22 years.

“I’m most proud of our volunteers,” says Fowlkes. “We have volunteers who are long-standing. Some have been here for 30 years. They love the kids. Some started volunteering when their kids were members, but stayed around after the kids left.” 

Something else North Mabee is proud of: its sports programs. During a 12 year period, North Mabee won football championships nine different times. Several professional athletes, including Philadelphia Eagles running back Felix Jones and New Orleans Saints wide receiver Robert Meachum, started playing football at North Mabee. But if you talk to any of the staff and volunteers at North Mabee, they’ll tell you it’s not about the sports, it’s about the kids. 

 The sports may have got the kids to the Club, but then the staff work to teach them about life. Staff will take Club members on college trips so they can tour the campus and get the experience of being on campus. The ACT program prepares Club members for college and helps them prepare for tests.  

“Kids used to come here for sports, but now they’re coming more for academics,” says Fowlkes. “They see how other Club members have become successful, and they want that too.” 

Performances are scheduled for the Homecoming/40th Anniversary Celebration along with face painting, a Jupiter jump and a chili dinner. It costs $4 for chili and a dessert.
 

Friday, September 20th
6pm - Pep rally followed by dance
Saturday, September 21st:
9am – Football games start
9:30 (halftime of first game) – Might Might Cheerleaders
10am – Lacy Jammers
11am – KIPP Prep School Drumline
12:45pm – Pizzazz Line Dancers

Come celebrate the great achievements of North Mabee!
- Carrie

Back to School!

Some of our Boys & Girls Club kids were selected from each of our 6 area Clubs to go on a Back to School shopping spree, on August 1st! Thanks to Target and Academy Sports for the gift cards and shopping help! We so appreciate your generosity!

Picking out uniforms!

Shopping!

What a haul!

Checking out at Target

Yay for post-shopping snacks!

Popcorn makes us happy!

A tired shopper is done for the day

Yay Target!

Silly kids are happy for new school supplies!

 Looks like these kiddos are ready for school! 
-Vicki

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!

Home Energy Aid Month Supported by PSO, Tulsa Shock

PSO, Tulsa Shock & The Salvation Army Form Team To Help Families

 Earlier this week, while it was close to 100 degrees outside, the air-conditioning unit in my car broke. It was awful!

I had to get it fixed quickly because I drive my two young kids around Tulsa everyday. It must be really difficult to sit in a home right now without an air-conditioning unit or a fan to stay cool. But this is the reality for some families who struggle financially.

            A unique partnership between Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO), the Tulsa Shock and the Salvation Army will help these families. The group is working together to raise funds for PSO’s Light A Life Energy Fund, which is administered by the Salvation Army. Light A Life provides emergency funds for those who need help paying their energy bills.  PSO and the Salvation Army formed this program back in 1986.   

            In addition, Three Tulsa Shock games in July will be dedicated to raising funds for Light A Life. A few fun surprises and events are planned for Shock fans during the games on the 19^th, 21^st and 25^th. The funds raised will be used throughout the year to help those needing assistance with their energy bills. 

Major James Taylor holds the Mayor's Proclamation

This partnership is part of Home Energy Aid Month, which brings awareness and donations to these programs. Governor Mary Fallin declared July “Home Energy Aid Month” in the state of Oklahoma. Mayor Dewey Bartlett did the same for the city of Tulsa (see pic).  PSO and other businesses in the area have agreed to match donor gifts during Home Energy Aid Month. 

PSO continues to be a community leader when it comes to helping neighbors. Without PSO’s support, it would be difficult for the Salvation Army to assist as many families. The Tulsa Shock is also showing loyalty towards its city by reaching out to help thousands of kids and families.  We appreciate having three Shock games to promote our mission. 

 It’s comforting to see so many people working to improve metro Tulsa! 

- Carrie

Chowdown on Bean Chowder!

Grab A Bowl of Famous TPS Bean Chowder To Help The Salvation Army

Alumni of Tulsa Public Schools (TPS) know this dish: brown bean chowder. Pinto beans, garlic, chili powder, beef, onion and a few other secret ingredients made this a favorite in the school cafeteria. The Center of Hope is taking a step back into time to bring this famous TPS recipe to the people of Tulsa.

 The Home Energy Aid Bean Chowder Chowdown is Thursday, July 18th from 11am-1pm at the Center of Hope located at 102 North Denver. Take-out boxes are also available, call ahead at (918) 582-7201 ext. 218 to place your order. Tickets are $7.00 and include bean chowder, cornbread, green salad and iced tea. Cinnamon rolls will also be available for an additional donation. One dozen tickets can be purchased for $75.

Fox 23 News anchors, reporters and other staff will be volunteering at the Bean Chowder Chowdown so come to the Center of Hope and say hello. We encourage all of you to buy lunch for your co-workers, friends and/or family while also helping out hundreds of Tulsa families.

All money raised through this event will be donated directly to summer utility bills for households facing financial challenges in the Tulsa metro area. Because many families have to choose between paying rent or electricity we see this program as a way to prevent homelessness by allowing both the rent and the energy bills to get paid.

The Bean Chowder Chowdown is quickly becoming a tradition during Home Energy Aid Month, which brings awareness and funds for these programs. Local utility providers that support year-round fundraising efforts for this program includes Public Service Company of Oklahoma’s Light A Life Program, Oklahoma Natural Gas Company’s Share the Warmth Program and Oklahoma Gas & Electric Company’s Lend A Hand Program.

Forget about bringing lunch to work on Thursday, instead try a bowl of famous TPS brown bean chowder to see why everyone loves this recipe.
-Carrie

Boys & Girls Club Golf Tourney has new title sponsor!

Jim Glover Chevrolet Makes Huge Commitment to The Salvation Army        

Jim Glover Chevrolet is known as one of the most reputable Chevy dealerships in the state.  The dealership’s commercials are some of the most popular on TV, especially in the Tulsa area.  But Jim Glover Chevrolet also gives back to the community and shows a lot of generosity toward The Salvation Army and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Tulsa. 

Jim Glover Chevrolet is the Title Sponsor of the 14th Annual Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Tulsa Charity Golf Tournament. By doing this, the dealership is ensuring more kids get exposed to a safe, positive and nurturing environment by attending one of our six Clubs.

            $1,000 = Provides a Club membership and scholarship for one child to the after school               
                           program for an entire school year.

            $2,500 = Purchases snacks for 40 kids for six months.

            $5,000 = Pays for 142 Boys & Girls Clubs memberships

In addition to being the Title Sponsor of our Golf Tournament, Jim Glover Chevrolet is providing a car as a hole-in-one prize: the 2013 Camaro 2SS Convertible, valued at $45,000!! During our 2012 Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary tournament, we had a golfer hit a hole-in-one and received a free trip, so maybe someone will drive away in this new car!

This isn’t the first time Jim Glover Chevrolet has shown generosity toward The Salvation Army. For the past several years, the dealership has been a major Christmas supporter, donating thousands of dollars toward helping families in Tulsa have a good holiday. 

We appreciate the kindness of the staff of Jim Glover Chevrolet and appreciate all that they do to improve our community.   

-Carrie

Salvation Army helps people stay cool

Home Energy Aid Month raises money to help people pay for utilities

The Salvation Army has many programs that can make a huge impact on people’s lives. One of my favorites is Emergency Financial Assistance (EFA), which helps those who are facing financial challenges pay their utility bills.  We consider this a homeless prevention program.  It’s even got the attention of Mayor Dewey Barlett and Governor Mary Fallin who have declared July Home Energy Aid Month in Tulsa and the State of Oklahoma.

Home Energy Aid Month raises awareness of the program while helping us get more donations to ensure we can help everyone who needs it.  During the summer months, the funds we have to run this program start running low.  Some people have to choose between paying their gas/electric bill or their rent or food.  Each household can only receive assistance one time per year so the assistance does not create dependency, only offers them a hand up. The Salvation Army never pays all of the bill either, the customer must pay some of it.

EFA is funded primarily by donations to Public Service Company of Oklahoma’s Light A Life program, Oklahoma Natural Gas Company’s Share the Warmth program and Oklahoma Gas & Electric Company’s Lend A Hand program. We have several events planned for HEA Month including:


 *Bean Chowder Chowdown – Thursday, July 18th, 11am-1pm - For the second year in a row, the Center of Hope (102 N. Denver) will host the Bean Chowder Chowdown. For $7, people can get a bowl of bean chowder (recipe made famou sby Tulsa Public Schools), plus cornbread and a drink. Cinnamon rolls will also be available for an additional fee. This year, we are encouraging people to order take-out to get more businesses to buy for a group of people.

*PSO & Shock Partnership - July 19th, 21st & 25th – The Shock and PSO will hold various activities and fundraisers throughout these games to bring awareness to PSO’s Light A Life program and  Home Energy Aid Month. PSO is also providing 150 tickets to Boys & Girls Clubs members to the 25th game.

*Westlake Fan Discounts – The three Tulsa Westlake Hardware stores will donate several dozen box fans to The Salvation Army and hopes its customers will do the same. Westlake is offering discounted box fans for $16.99 in their stores for customers to buy and donate to us The promotion will run July 1-14.


-Carrie

Volunteer coordinator helps in aftermath of tornadoes

Jenny shot this amazing photo.

Tulsa Salvation Army staffer plays critical role in recovery

When Volunteer Coordinator Jenny McElyea taught her most recent disaster training class, she had no idea that within a few weeks she would be working in her first disaster, much less recruiting and processing hundreds of volunteers in the aftermath of tornadoes. When she arrived in Oklahoma City on May 31st, she also had no idea that by 1 a.m. she’d be sitting in the stairwell of the Arkansas Oklahoma Salvation Army Headquarters, waiting out tornadoes in El Reno.

“Factors are changing constantly. There’s change at a moment’s notice. You have to be willing and be flexible,” Jenny said recently. As soon as she arrived in OKC, she was named as Incident Command Volunteer Coordinator. “Originally they thought they’d have to find someone from out of state to take the position,” she said. “So they were glad to find me. I was honored to be chosen.”

Jenny is on the far right in this photo from Incident Command.

Although volunteers were plentiful immediately after the May 20 tornado in Moore, by the time Jenny arrived, interest in volunteering was waning, especially interest in volunteering during working hours. So she put out the word by utilizing special website for people to sign up and using social media.

The largest site she was responsible for filling with volunteers was the old JCPenney at the Plaza de Mayor Mall, where donated items such as bottled water and cleaning supplies were collected. Volunteers sorted the donated goods and helped tornado victims “shop” the aisles for items they could use.

Jenny also found volunteers for MARCS, Multi Agency Resource Centers, where volunteers and social works helped tornado victims fill out the necessary paperwork to apply for aid. And when the combination of on line and social media volunteer recruitment didn’t seem to be enough to get those workday volunteers, Jenny turned to old fashioned techniques, ones that were in abundance during the tornadoes and the aftermath.

“I prayed and I cried,” she said.
By all accounts, Jenny’s first disaster experience was a success.

-Sallie