National TV Commercial Filmed at North Mabee

The Salvation Army North Mabee Boys & Girls Club was chosen by the National Salvation Army as the site to film a commercial that will run on national network and cable TV during the holidays. The North Mabee club was the only Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club in the country that was chosen for this honor. An 11-member film crew from Dallas shot footage at the club for two days, interviewing 23 members and supporters of the club. The North Mabee Club was chosen because of its success with helping North Tulsa kids become responsible, outstanding adults, including seven NFL football players in the last 26 years. The commercial is due to be broadcast on TV in mid November and air throughout the holidays.

Filming was coordinated by a Dallas advertising agency, the Richards Group. Other clients of the ad agency are QuikTrip, The Home Depot, Motel 6, Dodge Ram, Red Lobster and Chick-Fil - A. Jon Lee, the representative from the Richards Group who headed the film shoot, said the Dallas group was amazed with all the club has to offer. “We thought we would just be filming the athletic program, but this club has an outstanding academic program as well as arts programs such as ballet, a recording studio and a drum line.”

Felix Jones,II, a running back for the Dallas Cowboys and former club member, was interviewed, along with Beverly Meachem, the mother of Robert Meachem, the wide receiver who helped the New Orleans Saints win the Super Bowl in January. Others interviewed for the film were North Mabee Director Jo Bright, Assistant Club Director Latrice Fowlkes, Athletic Director Kenny King and photography instructor Turner Goodrum. “We were happy to be chosen for this honor and we’re hopeful that the attention North Mabee will receive from being on national TV will bring good things to the club,” Bright said.

Photo: From left, film director Jeff Bednarz, attorney Damario Solomon-Simmons, North Mabee Director Jo Bright, Dallas Cowboys running back Felix Jones,II enjoy a laugh during a film shoot at North Mabee. Damario and Felix are alumni of the club.

-Sallie