TSA Has Strong Presence at Tulsa Area United Way Annual Meeting

Major Roy Williams gave the invocation at Tuesday’s United Way Annual Meeting (to view the invocation click READ MORE at the bottom of this post), attended by hundreds of United Way supporters including a table from TSA. Captains Cindy and Warren Jones, Captain Patrick Gesner, Lieutenants Jamie and Clay Russell, along with myself, David Litterell, Lindsay Sparks and Veronica Ramirez attended. 

Last year’s William Booth Society chair and former TSA board president Becky Frank made United Way history by becoming the first individual female to be a United Way Annual Campaign Chair in 2013 and Board Chair in 2014. Congratulations Becky. Bill Thomas, TSA chair of the 2009 William Booth Society Benefit Dinner was recognized for being the 2002 United Way board chairman. United Way president Mark Graham said the 2009 campaign was a lot like the Winter Olympics: some very good highs and some fairly low lows, but the goal was reached despite the challenges. Mark said the 2010 Annual Campaign will have a new focus on the contributions of small businesses. 

 

-Sallie

FOX 23 Feature on the Homeless: Can Anyone Find Sabrina?

Did you see Mia Fleming’s feature story on homelessness on Fox 23 Thursday night? It was a moving, in-depth piece which Mia filmed mostly with a mini camcorder. Much of it was shot at our Center of Hope, where Mia spent hours interviewing guests and hanging out in the lobby. Mia has received calls from people who want to help two of the homeless people in the piece, Sabrina and here= son Skylar. We appreciate the callers’ generosity, but please remember there are hundreds of people like Sabrina and Skylar that we help every day at our Center of Hope. Please watch the video and e-mail us if you know where Sabrina and Skylar can be found. And remember, you can help hundreds of homeless people in Tulsa by donating to The Salvation Army. Just mail a check to The Salvation Army, PO Box 397, Tulsa, OK 74101 and note “Center of Hope.”

-Sallie

Positions Available

NOTE: As of 3/26/10 all positions listed below have been filled.  Thank you for your interest.

DIRECTOR OF FUNDRAISING & SPECIAL EVENTS
Plan and Administer all Fundraising Programs
Solicit and Develop Relationships with Donors,
Corporate Sponsors and Foundations
Plan and Coordinate Special Events
Bachelor's Degree in Marketing or Related Field
Specialized Training in Fundraising Management Desirable
Plus 3-5 Years Progressively Responsible Experience
in Fundraising Management and Special Events
AFP Certification Preferable

TEEN PROGRAM COORDINATOR
North Mabee Boys & Girls Club
Develop Educational and Social Programs For Teens
Full-Time $15/hr.
Bachelor's Degree Preferred Plus
Two years Experience Working with Teens
Minimum age 21

RECEPTIONIST/PROGRAM AIDE
North Mabee Boys & Girls Club
Clerical Duties and Working with Children
Part-time, M-F, $9/hr.

If interested in any of these positions, send resume to sahr@tulsacoxmail.com (NOTE POSITION IN SUBJECT LINE), or mail to P. O. Box 397, Tulsa, OK   74101.

Love Him? Hate Him? We Don’t Care – Just Give Us Your Support!

Remember the excitement of having George H. W. Bush Sr. and Bill Clinton speak at our William Booth Society Annual Benefit Dinner last year? Democrats and Republicans alike were passionate about that dream team. The former presidents have been hard to top, but the speaker at this year’s Booth Dinner March 13 also engenders passion – from the political right and the left.

It’s Fox News Cable Channel’s Bill O’Reilly, host of the O’Reilly Factor. He’s a commentator that people seem to love, hate or even love to hate! No matter what your political leanings, please support The Salvation Army.  Attend the event at the beautifully renovated Tulsa Convention Center, or be like one of my friends who said she was going to mail us a check and then to counter-act O’Reilly conservatism, sit at home on event night and read the late Senator Ted Kennedy’s new book. Sounds fair to me! Call 587-7801 for information about buying a table. Ask for Nancy Lloyd.


-Sallie

Board Member to be Honored With Pinnacle Award

Seven local women will be honored when the city of Tulsa Mayor's Commission on the Status of Women and the Tulsa Women's Foundation holds a reception for its 2010 Pinnacle Award recipients on March 9 at OSU-Tulsa.

The awards honor Tulsa-area women who are role models in their professions, take risks on behalf of others, perform voluntary community service, and demonstrate a commitment to women's issues and concerns. We are very proud that one of our own Advisory Board members, Kelli Bailey, will be honored with this prestigious prize in the category of Corporate/Business.

Bailey, director of Interior Architecture for Matrix Architects Engineers Planners, played an important role in designing Tulsa's new state-of-the-art facility, the BOK Center. Her work ethic, determination and vision make her an excellent role model for women in male-dominated careers such as architecture. Congratulations Kelli!

Read more from this Tulsa World article here. 
Photo: MICHAEL WYKE / Tulsa World

 ~Lindsay

“Sally” Hits the Road

“How Sally Changed My Life,” a short documentary film created by three men living at the Center of Hope, has become a sought-after program for faith organizations and students.

The filmmakers, John Ross, Jerry Coleman and Scott Green are in the Project Able transitional living program at The Salvation Army’s homeless shelter on 102 N. Denver.   The 17-minute film premiered at the Circle Cinema Oct. 25 to a standing-room-only crowd. Since then it has been shown at faith communities including All Souls Unitarian Church and Boston Avenue Methodist Church.

 After the film is shown, the men hold a Q&A session which has become very popular. At a presentation at Holland Hall, students grouped around the men for 40 minutes, asking about how the men became homeless and about their dreams for the future. The men also recently presented the film to 300 nursing students at OU Tulsa. “How Sally Changed My Life” features interviews with seven people staying at the Center of Hope. For more information,  contact Sallie Godwin at 587-7801. Photograph: from left are John Ross, director/editor; John Oak, (in the film); Sallie Godwin, Salvation Army PR Director; Jennifer Cupit,(in the film); and Jerry Coleman, videographer. Film will be posted on Youtube soon, stay tuned!

-Sallie

A sweet note from a client

Dear Salvation Army,

When I heard about your Christmas Angel Tree program, I decided to fill out an application to help my elderly mother receive a Christmas gift.

Little did I know that I would get a gift for Mom and so many groceries.  We received a turkey, potatoes, chicken, milk, brownies and more.  What a blessed Christmas!! My Mom got a beautiful new red sweater for Christmas, which she liked a lot.

You are such a blessing to the community.  I also got help earlier this year with my AEP bill.  Thanks.

The Tulsa community should have a Salvation Army Day and throw a big party for The Salvation Army and everyone could come and bless your employees.

Love,
Detria H.

I love getting sweet notes like this one.  All of us at The Salvation Army are very lucky to get to serve our community, no party is needed! Thanks for sharing Detria!  ~Lindsay

The Army of Stars

The community of Sand Springs has a very rich feel for philanthropy, especially with The Salvation Army. On Saturday, February 27th, they will host an annual fundraiser called "The Army of Stars!" The purpose and cause of this fundraiser to have funds for children who apply for scholarships for their various activities (after school programs, summer daycamp, basketball, football, etc.). This event will host a silent and live auction, dinner, Lucky Lammons - a member of the State of Oklahoma House of Representatives, as a speaker and a small talent show by some of the Club's children. They are registering guests by table or individual. Sponsorships are available and ticket holders get to participate in the auction experience. Please contact Greg Parker, Sand Springs Unit Director at (918) 245-2237 for more information on this very exciting fundraiser in Sand Springs!

 ~Lindsay

Mabee Babies in the News

 Many thanks to John Durkee with KWGS 89.5 FM for producing a story about our Mabee Babies (see “News Release” below) that aired this morning. Jo Bright, North Mabee club director, was featured in the story. Mrs. Bright sounds out of breath at the beginning of the broadcast and for good reason - she and one other employee keep track of more than 100 kids a day at the club.
Listen here -- KWGS: Tulsa's Mabee Babies (2010-02-04)

 

Tara Vreeland with KOTV – Channel 6 was surrounded by club kids more than once Wednesday night as they worked on a story.  (see photo) Keep your TV on after the Super Bowl - it will air on the 10 p.m. news.
Update: Story is below! Great job Tara!

Tulsa World sports writer Bill Haisten and Harold Williams, who has coached at the North Mabee Boys & Girls Club for 22 years, talked football for an hour and a half yesterday.  Coach Williams also gave Bill and me a look at the football equipment room where we hoped to find Meachem’s old helmet. No such luck, but I did feel the presence of the ghosts of football’s past. Thank you Bill, Harold and Jo. I can’t wait to see the story in the Tulsa World Sunday!

 -Sallie

Six Signs of a Healthy Family

Although there are many happy, healthy families in the country, some people come from family units that are dysfunctional.  These are families where basic psychological needs are not met.  In such families, parents do not respect each other or their children.  This unhealthy parenting style leaves children wounded, shamed, abused and made to feel guilty for matters beyond their control.  While much media attention has recently focused on dysfunctional families, there are thousands of parents and children faithfully working together to create loving, secure families.  Here are six signs of a healthy, functional family.

1. Healthy families maintain a spiritual foundation.
2. Healthy families make the family a top priority.
3. Healthy families ask--and give--respect.
4. Healthy families communicate and listen.
5. Healthy families value service to others.
6. Healthy families expect--and offer--acceptance.

 Keep reading to learn detail of each of the six signs of a healthy family!

Thoughts on the Salvation Army Mission

Working for the Salvation Army I am always inspired when I read quotes from our early leaders, those who saw need in the world and worked diligently to make a difference.  Did you know that by 1912 the Salvation Army was already working in 58 countries?

Words from William Booth, The Salvation Army Founder:

“While women weep, as they do now, I'll fight; while children go hungry, as they do now I'll fight; while men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I'll fight; while there is a drunkard left, while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, while there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I'll fight, I'll fight to the very end!”

Hopefully this will inspire you to make a difference this week!
-Lindsay