Lifting others

Alison Anthony

One of the great joys of working for The Salvation Army (TSA) is that wherever I go always meet someone who has volunteered for TSA. Last week I attended a workshop sponsored by the Association for Women in Communications, titled “Tulsa Women: Telling Our Story.” One of the panelists was Alison Anthony, director of diversity and community relations at The Williams Companies. She also chairs the Tulsa Area United Way's Women’s Leadership Council. And, most importantly, she volunteers with us during Christmas distribution. “Sometimes I have to wear my sunglasses inside,” she confessed. I told her that more than one volunteer has
been emotionally moved by the families who receive Christmas assistance.

Clydella Hentschel

In her presentation, Alison mentioned a new United Way award  founded in honor of Clydella Hentschel, a long-time donor and member of our advisory board. Clydella started contributing to our Christmas program three decades ago and has since supported practically every program we have. When I met Clydella for the first time, I had only been at The Salvation Army for a few weeks. She was rushing out of a meeting at our office, stopped when she saw my nametag, introduced herself and welcomed me. I appreciated her graciousness. Clydella is the first recipient of the award named in her honor. The award has the tagline “Lifting Others as You Climb.” With our wonderful volunteers and donors, we could give that award every day!

 -Sallie

AARP & The Salvation Army: good partners

Linda Letzkus,
Area Command receptionist

Choosing between a job at a clock shop and a job at The Salvation Army was a no brainer for Linda Letzkus. “How busy could a clock shop be?” she asked Sherri Clark, director of the AARP Work Search Foundation. The foundation helps people over 55 find employment by partnering with organizations which are senior-friendly. “Before I joined Work Search, I was sending out resumes like a wild woman, 10 to 15 a week, and I got lots of interviews,” Linda said. “Then I’d walk in an office and I could tell by the look on their faces that they thought I was too old.” 

I know how she felt. Before I got my job here I held a job that didn't fit quite right and was looking for something new. My younger sister theorized that my gray hair was holding me back. “It just announces that you’re on the downhill slope to retirement,” she said. I bet her that I’d find a good job in a year and if I didn’t, I promised her I’d go back to being a brunette. Luckily, I found my dream job with the Army with no help from Lady Clairol. 

“With Work Search, when you walk in a host agency you know you’ll be accepted,” Linda said. 

 She started here with Work Search in March 2011 and has been employed by TSA as our receptionist since July 2011. The Salvation Army has given four Work Search participants permanent positions in the last six months, making it the leader among host agencies. Linda said she likes the atmosphere at Area Command. “People are considerate and there’s no office drama.” And no ticking clocks!


-Sallie

Baseball and faith

The original Mabee Red Shield Cowboys t-ball team in 2009.

Faith is so much a part of The Salvation Army that I tend to take it for granted. I’m not defining faith as going to church on Sundays, I’m talking about faith that God will provide what is needed. The tradition in The Salvation Army is to plan first and pray that the resources will come. If that doesn’t illustrate the expression “stepping out in faith” I don’t know what does. Here’s an example: the coach-pitch baseball program at the Mabee Red Shield Boys and Girls Club on north Harvard. You haven’t heard of it? Here’s why: Its very first season is about to start.Three years ago, Athletic Director Sam Berry started a popular t-ball program for kids beginning at age four. Now the oldest of those kids need a coach-pitch program and Sam is starting it too. One of the challenges of filling an athletic program at the Boys and Girls Clubs is that often parents can get the same sport in a free program at public schools.  At the Boys and Girls Clubs kids get good role modeling, character building and important lessons in sportsmanship. I know of at least one example when Coach Sam helped turn a kid's life around, and I'm sure every Boys and Girls Club coach has a similar story.Will parents pay for their kids to play coach-pitch baseball? We don’t know, but for the sake of the kids and the club I hope they do. I admire the courage of people who step out in faith. Here’s the number to call for coach pitch or T-ball: 918-834-2464. And tell Coach Sam I sent you!



-Sallie

Boys & Girls Clubs honor Youth of the Year

Every day, the Boys and Girls Clubs help hundreds of Tulsa area youth. The Clubs have 5,231 members who come from diverse backgrounds.  These kids will spend hours at the Clubs, working on their homework, learning how to play sports, studying for their ACT tests.  Many of them have gone on to become doctors, lawyers, journalists, professional athletes and community leaders. 
 
Our club directors and staff are proud of their members and will honor a youth who stands out above the rest.  On March 15th, we will celebrate these kids at the Youth of the Year Banquet.  A member from each of the seven Boys & Girls Clubs (North Mabee, Mabee Red Shield, West Mabee, Broken Arrow, Sand Springs, Sapulpa and Muskogee) will receive an award. Three teenagers will compete for the Youth of the Year award, the highest honor a Club member can achieve.

The winner will receive a $2,500 scholarship. The second and third place finishers will also receive scholarships. Last year’s winner, Alex Walker from Broken Arrow, went on to win the state competition.

We’re looking for sponsors for this wonderful event so we can give scholarships to more of these students. Again, the Youth of the Year banquet is March 15th at 6pm at the Allen Chapman Activity Center on the University of Tulsa campus.  Individual tickets to this event are $50.
If you want to find out more about the banquet or the Boys & Girls Clubs, contact me at carrie_salce@uss.salvationarmy.org or 918-587-7801 ext. 121.
 
-Carrie

Marines work out at BA club

Their assignment has changed from hiking treacherous mountain terrain and dodging gunfire in Afghanistan to dodging senior citizens in the pool at the Broken Arrow Boys & Girls Club. They are the TOW Section 1st Battalion 25th Marines and they’ve been home from Afghanistan for about three weeks. “When they’re sitting on the bleachers waiting for their turns to swim laps they are perfectly lined up. It gives me cold chills just to see that kind of discipline,” said Janis Fraley, BA club director. They landed in the club because their leader, Gunnery Sergeant Kyle Provencher, was a club member as a child. He played on the BA football team while in the third, fourth and fifth grades. His primary memory of the club is of a former staff member, Levi Law, the older brother of Jake Law, the Sapulpa Boys and Girls Club director. These Marines will be home for six months before another deployment.They work out together every day to stay combat fit and ready to work as a team. BA Lifeguard Donna Burdick said it "lifts her spirits" when the Marines walk in the door. Thank you Gunnery Sgt. Provencher and the 1st Battalion 25th Marines for serving our country.

-Sallie

TSA gave them warmth

2/10/12

Dear Salvation Army,

Thank you so very much for paying my husband's and my O.N.G. bill. It was much appreciated by us. May God bless the good work you do for total strangers. We are grateful you gave us the gift of warmth for another month.

Sincerely,

Diane & Wayne

TAUW meeting outstanding

Hollywood has its Academy Awards. TV has its Emmys and Broadway has its Tonys. But we had the award winning and award-giving Tulsa Area United Way (TAUW) Annual Meeting Tuesday and the Tulsa Convention Center was packed with Tulsa’s most giving people and organizations. I was privileged to sit at a table from Area Command and the Citadel. In 2004, I worked for TAUW as a loaned executive so I knew that TAUW is one of the most outstanding United Ways in the country. I just never knew why. “We are the United Way,” CEO Mark Graham said. “When we look around the room we see people who look like the people in our annual report who have received services from a United Way agency,” Mark said. That’s because we are the same. So it’s the spirit of equality and collaboration that puts us near or on the top of United Ways nationwide. Here are the stats that show how our TAUW stacks up against those in other cities: There are 1,242 United Ways in the U.S. At more than $24 million, TAUW raises more money than 1,209 of them. Our fundraising surpasses cities such as Fort Worth, Tampa and Portland. Our United Way is first in the nation for in support from small businesses. We’re among the top United Ways in the amount of money given by non-profits, like The Salvation Army. Tulsa non-profits gave $840,000 last year. The thousands of people TSA serves are grateful for us although we don’t always hear from them. Check out the blog tomorrow for one person who let us know.

-Sallie

Coach Carey wins halftime

Six Boys & Girls Clubs with games and events every week. The largest homeless shelter in Northeast Oklahoma. A myriad of social services at the shelter. A huge volunteer program. I can’t keep up with it all, so I’m delighted when co-workers and officers let me know about things they’ve attended. I received the below in my e-mail this week. Thank you Captain Gesner!

Dear Sallie,

On a recent Sunday, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Tulsa had an opportunity to attend a Tulsa 66ers basketball game. While in attendance, Sand Springs' Athletic Director, Patrick Carey, was asked to participate in a half-time challenge. The 66ers offered to give the winner of a competition a luxury suite to another 66ers game if they could make a lay-up, free-throw and 3-point shot within 24 seconds. The participant would only have one ball and would have to rebound after their own shot.
Patrick sank the lay-up easily and proceeded to make his free-throw. But, time was winding down, and he only had 8 seconds left to get to the three point line and attempt a couple of three-point shots. Patrick told me, "I knew that by the time I set up, I would only have about 5 seconds to shoot. So, I knew I'd only get one shot at it. I waited till the last second, shot the ball up and.....nothing but net!!!" Patrick won the competition and represented The Salvation Army well. Attached is a picture of him doing the Tim Tebow Te-"bow" at center court. At the far right hand side, you can see his wife and kids' faces of surprise and pride!
In His Service,

Captain Patrick Gesner

West Mabee cooks Cajun

Hershey’s Hugs. Mr. Goodbar bites. Sweet Tarts. Chocolate cupcake. If you’re thinking, wow, kids really eat a lot of sweets on Valentine’s Day, you would be right, but actually I am the one who ate the above. So it was a treat to eat fresh-cooked gumbo and jambalaya when I visited the West Mabee Boys & Girls Club yesterday. West Mabee director Jamar Giddings said he came up with the Cajun menu as an antidote to all the sweets the kids had eaten at school. To celebrate Valentine’s Day at the club, eight kids in the Tuesday cooking class cooked and served the meal to the rest of the kids, a group of about 20. The class is learning about cooking, serving and etiquette. “Etiquette is all over the place,” Jamar said. Safety is too. As they are cooking, Jamar went over some of the rules. “Where are we when we’re cooking?” he asked. “At our stations!” the kids shouted. They learned how to simmer and slant their spoons when stirring. They learned how to salt food lightly and how to tell when rice is done. They stuck plastic spoons in their pots and took a taste. They know they can’t stick the spoon in again, so should they throw their spoons away? “Save them for later,” Jamar said. “We’re not Emeril yet.” Thanks to Jamar, Mia Hannah, Yakala Sharpe, Michael McHenry, Kevin Lovell, Nolan Walters, Destini Richard, Edward Gaston and Journey Jacobs for my most scrumptious Valentine’s Day gift! -Sallie

-Sallie

Valentine’s Day

Love One Another

Psalm 139:14: I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.

Genesis 1:27: So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

I got a great tip this week from the GrammarBook.com e-newsletter. I was reminded that “I” is a subject pronoun and “me” is an object pronoun. Two pronouns are used in two ways to describe who I am; the English language can be confusing. Let’s not get confused about who we are. You are not who other people say you are; you are not a consumer swayed by every TV commercial. You are not just a reflection of your parents, friends or colleagues, not just an employee, parent or friend.You are uniquely handcrafted by God, Himself.

Psalm 139 says that God knit you together. The truth is, we are all part of a divine creation which God said is “very good” (Genesis 1:31). Listen to what else He said. He said, “love



one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34). Then let’s love each other and be good to each other. Take a new look at the person holding the “will work for food sign,” the rude co-worker, the needy child or hurtful friend. See them for who God made them to be. Look deeper, and see their better half. Can you see that they are hurting and need your help? While the world goes to war over natural resources like oil and gas, The Salvation Army hunts for more of the best natural resource: people. Every day with The Salvation Army people express love by serving others. Together, with thousands of local volunteers the Tulsa Area Salvation Army is able to

feed the hungry , house the homeless , teach dance classes , music lessons and art classes , coach sports teams, train up children and build a better community , help families pay their utility bills.

Remember, you are exactly who God made you to be, and we would be honored for you to join us in “Doing The Most Good.”To get involved: e-mail the Volunteer Coordinator rhonda_mcdaniel@uss.salvationarmy.org or call 918-587-7801 x113

-Rhonda

A Year of Dance

Kids from the Monday evening dance class
get together after seeing a performance of
"So You Think You Can Dance?"

The case managers at the Center of Hope were dealing with an irony. The parents of children staying in the family apartments needed to learn better parenting and life skills. But what would the children do while their parents were in a class? The case managers wanted to provide the children something more productive than putting them in front of a movie. Some parents worked during the day, so the only time to hold the class was in the evenings. The only time a classroom was available was on Mondays.

Around the same time, Maria Stevenson was looking for a way to give back to her community. She grew up taking dance classes and was influenced to give back by her social-worker father. She wanted to provide children living in the Center of Hope a “normal childhood experience.” For a year, Maria has taught a Monday evening dance class for the kids whose parents are in life skills class. “I get to see strength, passion, laughter and dedication shine through in young adults who are not in ideal circumstances,” Maria said. 

“It reminds me that strength and happiness are not found in situations but in state of mind.” 

As the volunteer coordinator, it’s very gratifying to see a need met so perfectly. And I know God has many more good works in store for each of us to humbly carry out. Ephesians 2:8-10 says: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

Yours in Faith,
Rhonda



P.S. Special thanks to Kelley Maricle & Ronn Glosson (Center of Hope Staff) and the following community partners who support the dance class: Tulsa Area United Way Women's Leadership Council , Tulsa Shock , BOK Center , Brad Griffin with BOSC, Ashley Farthing with Farthing Events , South Tulsa Dance Company and STDC competition team, Jenks Dance Academy, Black and Pink Supplies , Joe Momma’s Tulsa , University of Tulsa – Hurricane Sports Properties and volunteers Angela Turkovich, Cory Wallace, Heather Fick, Jessica Rhodes, Kilee Hammer, Maranda Figueroa, and Courtney Borgard.

Lucky ducks in Sapulpa

Theresa Bowers, Sapulpa
Athletic Director

Basketball is special at the Sapulpa Boys & Girls Club. You could even call it ducky. But first a story. Where I grew up, we waited until the seventh grade to play basketball. I expected to be good at it. Who cared if I was short and small? I was fast. But I may not have been any good. I certainly couldn’t guard or shoot. The gym teacher told me she wanted me to play a special position called The Rover. “The Rover just goes where she is needed,” Miss Waddell said. So I ran all over the court, looking for someone who needed help. They were usually on my team. I had a great time. When I started going to basketball games in high school, I would ask friends if they had ever heard of the Rover position. They never had, probably because it didn’t exist, except in Miss Waddell’s mind. What a kind coach.


There are no Rovers in the Sapulpa Boys & Girls Club basketball program, but there are 850 kids and lately the stands have been packed. Club director Jake Law invented a fundraiser called “Toss a Duck, Win an IPad 2!” Theresa Bowers, athletic director, helps make it happen. At halftime, fans toss rubber ducks at a target on the court. The three fans who get their ducks closest to the bull’s eye get pop or candy and the winner gets his or her name in a drawing for a free IPad 2. Three IPad 2s will be given away and the people who win them will be some Lucky Ducks, but they’ll never be The Rover. Only I got to be The Rover. 

-Sallie

Sportsmen feed homeless

OK, I admit I was not looking forward to trying a venison taco at 9 a.m. The last venison I had eaten was tough and gamey. But as soon as got a whiff of the Good Day Tulsa studio at KTUL Tulsa’s Channel 8, I knew this was a different story. It smelled divine. It was being cooked with red peppers, yellow peppers, and lots of onions and seasonings. Scott Leysath, the Sporting Chef, cooked the venison on Good Day Tulsa and anchor Laura Moss and I enjoyed tacos afterward. Scott is in a show on the Sportsman Channel called “Hunt.Fish.Cook” . You can see it on Cox Communication’s Channel 270.

The channel has an organization called Hunt.Fish.Feed that collects game donated by hunters to feed the homeless. Scott cooked at the Center of Hope yesterday evening, and 450 meals were served. One enthusiastic guest came back for four extra helpings and there was still venison left over. Not to mention the additional 500 pounds of venison donated by Terry’s Taxidermy in OKC. It’s being stored in freezers at the Center of Hope. One of the best things about the Venison Taco event yesterday was the dozen or so volunteers from Cox who helped out. Tiffani Bruton from the Cox Connects Foundation and I were talking to another Sportman’s Channel star, Jeff Danker, who said serving homeless guests completely changed the way he looked at things. “I’m way too blessed,” he said. Me too, Jeff, me too.

-Sallie

Top ringers get trophies

Steve Lassiter (left, in plaid) with the Midtown Rotary had a funny story to tell me. He was one of a dozen or so of the top bell ringers who gathered Friday to get their trophies. Steve said once he was ringing at the Hobby Lobby in his OU jacket. He always opens the door for everyone, which I am sure helps his number of donations. “A big ole boy was coming across the parking lot with a little woman. He had on a Texas jacket. The woman dropped some money in the bucket. I opened the door for his cute little wife but I let the door hit that big ole boy. He turned around and gave me a twenty and we had a good laugh,” Steve said.

I had heard that Tulsa fire fighters had beaten the Tulsa Police in the bell ringing competition this year, so I was surprised when two officers entered the conference room. I caught them on the way out and asked them if they were glad that Major Williams didn’t make them hand the trophy over to the fire fighter. “We come every year whether we win it or not, it’s just fun,” one of them said. Then the trash talk started. “We’re letting them borrow our trophy this year. It will be home next year.” The officers’ names were T. Jenkins and J.B. McNeal. I’ll be on the lookout for those two next year!

-Sallie




P.S. Congratulations to Broken Arrow High School National Honor Society, Tulsa Fire Department, The Tulsa Drillers, Downtown Rotary and Midtown Rotary-- All 1st place winners!

BA Challengers: loved and needed

When a developmentally disabled child ages out of high school, what is a parent to do? Where can the child be with their peers, stay out of trouble and be actively involved in life? My 21-year-old daughter Meredith is developmentally disabled and luckily her dad and stepmom found her the Home of Hope in Vinita. She seems to love it there; she works in a sheltered workshop, lives with peers and enjoys a therapeutic riding program. In the photo, she’s wearing the Cleopatra costume she picked out herself and her Special Olympics t-shirt. (She’s always had my sense of style.) In Broken Arrow, the place for kids and adults like Meredith to be is The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club Challengers program. Challengers was started about 25 years ago and for the last seven years it’s been headed by athletic director Shelley Cramer Persinger. Club director Janis Fraley said that Shelley is “amazing” because she’s built relationships with the Challenger Kids and built trust with their parents. Apparently Shelley dreams it up and makes it happen. Last November, Shelley created the “Red Carpet Dance.” Challengers dressed up and walked their dates down the red carpet, had their pictures taken by a professional photographer and danced in a gym. Except for football, Challengers play the same sports as other club kids: baseball, basketball, swimming, karate. Janis says that the Challengers program gives the kids a sense that they belong and that they are needed. Aren’t those things we all need? My answer is yes!

-Sallie

Kid art: love it

I love children’s art, so seeing the Boys & Girls Club art exhibit at Philbrook was a treat. For a peek at the artworks and a list of kids who won ribbons see this post.  You might be wondering about this colored-pencil sketch titled “Sallie.” It was not in the show. It hangs in my condo. It’s a portrait that a child drew of me, apparently during my pink-haired phase, a phase that I don’t recall. Now I’m going to pretend to be a Philbrook docent and go into educational mode. First, why don’t we know the identity of the artist? It’s because two people claim to have created it. My niece and namesake, Sallie Whitkamper, claims she drew it when she was just learning how to print her name. My 18-year-old stepdaughter Carly claims she drew it as a portrait of me and labeled it with my name. Her two older sisters say that she indeed spent at least a year drawing arms that looked like wings, and that should be proof enough that she was the artist. My husband Gary says he doesn’t care who drew it, he just wishes I would wear the outfit more often. The girls point out that I could save a lot of money on tops. I don’t care who created it either, I just love that it’s a happy drawing and I’m wearing a big smile. And those great-looking shorts.

-Sallie

Kids art exhibit

Every year the Boys & Girls Clubs of America search their local clubs for top young artists to compete in nationwide art contest. And every year, all year, members of clubs paint, draw, sculpt and color artwork to enter in the competition.

For two years, the young artists have exhibited their works at the Philbrook Museum.  Read that sentence again. PHILBROOK. This is a museum with a Picasso.   I can only imagine the thrill of being about five years old and having one of my creations shown at Philbrook.  The kids are familiar with the museum because of “Rock Philbrook,” a day during Boys & Girls Club summer day camp when the kids from all six local clubs look at exhibits, listen to a concert and create some art themselves. 

Still, I like to imagine a typical boy of about 10, with crazy wild hair, holes in his pants and scabs on his knees saying to his favorite teacher, “My painting is on display at Philbrook. Would you like to come to the opening?” (In my mind, that boy looks a lot like my son, who is now 25.)

About 30 people came to the opening. First, second and third place ribbons were given in four categories; painting, sculpture, mixed media, and drawing. Philbrook staff members judged the show and everyone who placed will be able to enter their artwork in the Boys & Girls Club regional contest with hopes of being selected for the national contest. From a bird bath to a robot sculpture, there was so much variety and creativity in the show it was hard to pick the ones to photograph, but I gave it a shot. Enjoy a sampling from the show!

-Sallie

Happy Martin Luther King Day

When it comes to Martin Luther King, Jr., the kids at the Mabee Red Shield Boys & Girls Club know their stuff. At least the girls do – I couldn’t get any of the boys to talk to me. The kids were honored to be asked to ride on the Cox float in the parade and I hopped on at the last minute, I thought. Then we all waited an hour for the float to start moving. It was ok, though, because the temperature was mild and Cox employees kept us entertained. One Cox guy did the Cupid Dance and blew giant gum bubbles. Everyone was entertained by Digi, the Cox mascot, whose handler seemed worried that  he/she would be blown down by the brisk wind. And there were dogs – one with four tiny boots and a Swarovsky crystal-studded collar. 



Here’s what the kids answered when asked what they could tell me about the late Dr. King:

Kerrey, age14, “He was awesome.”

Kaitlyn, age 10, “He was a minister who preached the word and died at 39.”

Camryn, age 11, “He won a Nobel Peace Prize and is the only person who has a day named after him who wasn’t a president.”

Madison, age 9, “He did non-violent marching because he wanted peace in the world. “

Chrinasia “Nay Nay” age 6,”He fought with peace. He changed America because he helped Africans and Americans to get along.”

And my personal favorite from Mallorie, age 6, “ He was trustful and did not like meanness. He turned the world upside down.”

 -Sallie

Remembering Walt

From left: Walt Helmerich III, Billie Barnett, Major Roy Williams, Rik Helmerich.

Along with thousands of other Tulsans, it is with great sadness that I mourn the death of Walt Helmerich III, a lifetime member of The Salvation Army Advisory Board and a friend. The Helmerich family has been a supporter of The Salvation Army for at least 40 years, maybe longer.

I’m told that for many years Walt would pick a day and along with a friend, he would drive to all of the facilities of the Tulsa Area Command, including the six Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs. They would tour the clubs, noting things that needed to be repaired, then Walt would donate the money to have it done. The driving tour was a tradition that Walt started, and in recent years his son Rik, an Advisory Board member, has continued.

While repairs at Boys & Girls Clubs may seem minor compared to other financial support the Helmerich family has provided, it was very meaningful to the Boys & Girls Club staff members to see that someone as important as Walt cared about their needs. In the same spirit of showing support in a personal way, every Christmas Walt and Peggy would attend our Advisory Board Christmas luncheon, whether the temperature was at zero degrees or in the forties.

The Advisory Board Christmas luncheon is always held in the warehouse where all the toys and food are stored. For several years the Helmerich family would let us use a warehouse that they owned, free of charge. This past Christmas luncheon was the first Walt had missed in many years, and we missed him.  Walt and the Helmerich family were among the first supporters of the William Booth Society and the younger family members are continuing the tradition. Every year, Walt and his family would donate the money for at least one table at our annual Booth dinner and attend the event.
 
While I am grateful to Walt and the Helmerich family for their monetary support, it is his gentlemanly presence and dignity I will always remember. Walt Helmerich III was a man of integrity and honor. I will miss him greatly.
 

Major Roy Williams, Tulsa Area Commander