Thanksgiving Dinner Enjoyed at Center of Hope

Nearly ninety volunteers served traditional Thanksgiving dinners to 550 guests at the Center of Hope from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thanksgiving. One family volunteer group, all wearing humorous Thanksgiving hats, said they volunteered because they recently lost a family member who had been helped by the Salvation Army after returning from the Vietnam war. All of the volunteers brought plates of food, iced tea and desserts to the guests, many of whom were homeless. Guests seemed to enjoy the large meal, especially having a choice between four kinds of pies. In the lobby of the Center of Hope, volunteers handed out winter hats, gloves and bags of candy to guests after they ate. Rhonda McDaniel, TSA Volunteer Coordinator, said “This event was a success because of our dedicated volunteers. Thank you Tulsa!”  The dinner was covered by KOKI-Fox 23, KJRH-Channel 2 and KXAP Teletul Channel 51. 

 

 

Bellringing Kickoff 2010

Yesterday was the kick-off for the 2010 bellringing/red kettle season. Below are a few photos from the official kick-off event at the Reasor's in Jenks.  The goal was passed to Major Williams by members of the Jenks HS football team and a representative from Reasor's was there to announce they would be matching up to $7,500 raised in kettles at their locations on Thursday. 

Have you already seen bellringers this year? Did you know our goal this year is $565,000? We will make it happen a nickel and a dime at a time! Can't find a bellringer? Text "JOY" to 85944 to make a one-time $10 donation. Standard messaging rates apply.

Merry Christmas!
~Lindsay

BUCK HUNGER THE COWBOY WAY

No plans on Saturday night? Help fight hunger and see some great rodeo action! 

WHEN: Sat., Nov. 20, Barrel Racing starts at 2 p.m., Rough Stock starts at 7 p.m.

WHAT: Rodeo to help the Salvation Army feed needy families

WHERE: Bridle Creek Rodeo Ranch & Resort, 5315 Roper Road, Sperry OK 74073

COST: Tickets $7, get in for $5 if you bring a can of food

EVENTS: Wild Horse Racing, Women's Steer Saddling, Bareback Riding, Ranch Bronc Riding

SPONSORS:  Bridle Creek Horse Ranch & Resort, Thermal Specialties, Monkey Bizness Salon

FOOD DISTRIBUTION: The Salvation Army and Osage Oaks Church in Sperry

DETAILS: Silent auction that's open until 9 p.m.

CONTACT: BJ Fifer 918-693-1532

TWO BOYS & GIRLS CLUB FOOTBALL TEAMS MAKE NATIONALS

Two Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club football teams have won the American Youth Football Conference (AYFC) of Oklahoma  League  Championships and are heading to Orlando, Florida Dec. 4 – 10 to play in the AYFC  national championship competition.

The Sixth Grade Mabee Red Shield Cowboys completed their third year of championships on Saturday with a 34 to 6 win over the Muskogee Real Deal. Mabee Red Shield Athletic Director Sam Berry said the sixth grade team has had one core group since the fourth grade, which has helped them perfect their skills, as well as the dedication of their four volunteer coaches: Bill Esmeyer, Robin Vann, Chris Cummings and Reginald Greenlee.

The North Mabee Fifth Grade Mustangs beat the Mabee Red Shield Cowboys 18 to 12 Saturday to pave their way to the nationals. They have won League championships for many years and are led by Coach Phillip and North Mabee Athletic Director Kenny King and volunteer coaches Phillip Abode, Phil Loftin, C. Hoffman, S. Breed and D. Taylor.



Saturday, a banquet to honor the Mabee Red Shield Cowboy, their coaches and parents, will be held at First Baptist Church at 1414 N. Greenwood Ave. From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., the Mighty Mites and Third Grade teams will be honored, and from  4 p.m. to 6 p.m., the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Grade teams will celebrate.

Members of both teams are raising money to pay for the trip to Orlando. The teams are selling Sonic Cards for $5 and have also scheduled two fundraising dinners at Mabee Red Shield. The first will be a steak dinner on Sat., Nov. 27. It will be $10 for adults and $5 for children aged 10 and under. Participants can pick up their meals at the club, 1231 N. Harvard, starting at 5 p.m.

A spaghetti dinner will be sold Tues., Nov. 30 for $7 a plate. The dinners can be picked up at Mabee Red Shield starting at 6 p.m. To reserve a dinner, call Jamie Diaz at 798-2091. Ms. Diaz is also taking calls for people or companies who would like to sponsor a team member to go to Orlando. 

-Sallie

Bark Park Toy Drive Tomorrow

The 2nd Annual Bark Park Toy Drive will be Sat.,Nov. 13 at the Joe Station Bark Park at 2279 Charles Page Blvd. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please bring new, unwrapped toys, gently used winter coats and canned food (and your favorite dog 4-legged friend). 

The Giant Red Kettle will be there as well as many generous dog owners. See you there!

If you are a Facebook member you can RSVP online here.

-Sallie

Broken Arrow Toy Run a Success

Special thanks to the more than 150 bikers that participated Sunday in the 9th Annual Broken Arrow Toy Run! More than 100 bikes created the line that started at Forest Ridge Golf and Country Club and ended at the Broken Arrow Boys & Girls Club where The Army provided a hot chili lunch for participants.  The meal was served by 60+ volunteers that helped set up following a morning bible lesson on being a servant, sign making & painting for the kids, and chili taste testing to make sure all was perfect for the bikers to eat.

One biker said, "It's a fast, yet totally fun ride that has the best purpose for the toys." 

Biker Groups that rode included: BACA (Bikers Against Child Abuse), Good Will Riders, Rolling Thunder (Coweta Chapter), Buffalo Motor Works, Green Country VRA

Special thanks to the generous donors who provided more than $1,100 in food and gift cards for participants: Ron's Chili, Ballroom Revolution, Frito Lay's, Wal-Mart, Buffalo Wild Wings, El Chico, Applebee's, Taco Bell, Taco Bueno, Warehouse Market, Rib Crib, Sonic, Sante Fe Cattle Co., and  Broken Arrow Lanes

~Lindsay

Red Kettle History

 It is really starting to feel like Christmas around the office this week! I thought I would take a few minutes to post about the history of the famous Salvation Army Red Kettle. I am so proud to be a part of the rich traditions of The Salvation Army and I can't wait to hear the bells ringing this year-that's how I know it's really Christmastime!

~Lindsay

In 1891, Salvation Army Captain Joseph McFee was distraught because so many poor individuals in San Francisco were going hungry. During the holiday season, he resolved to provide a free Christmas dinner for the destitute and poverty-stricken. He only had one major hurdle to overcome -- funding the project.

Where would the money come from, he wondered. He lay awake nights, worrying, thinking, praying about how he could find the funds to fulfill his commitment of feeding 1,000 of the city's poorest individuals on Christmas Day. As he pondered the issue, his thoughts drifted back to his sailor days in Liverpool, England. He remembered how at Stage Landing, where the boats came in, there was a large, iron kettle called "Simpson's Pot" into which passers-by tossed a coin or two to help the poor.

The next day Captain McFee placed a similar pot at the Oakland Ferry Landing at the foot of Market Street. Beside the pot, he placed a sign that read, "Keep the Pot Boiling." He soon had the money to see that the needy people were properly fed at Christmas.

Six years later, the kettle idea spread from the west coast to the Boston area. That year, the combined effort nationwide resulted in 150,000 Christmas dinners for the needy. In 1901, kettle contributions in New York City provided funds for the first mammoth sit-down dinner in Madison Square Garden, a custom that continued for many years. Today in the U.S., The Salvation Army assists more than four-and-a-half million people during the Thanksgiving and Christmas time periods.

Captain McFee's kettle idea launched a tradition that has spread not only throughout the United States, but all across the world. Kettles are now used in such distant lands as Korea, Japan, Chile and many European countries. Everywhere, public contributions to Salvation Army kettles enable the organization to continue its year-round efforts at helping those who would otherwise be forgotten.

Courtesy of TSA - DFW Metroplex

9th Annual Broken Arrow Motorcycle Toy Run - This Weekend!

Please join us for the 9th Annual Broken Arrow Motorcycle Toy Run!

Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010

Please bring a new unwrapped toy!


Line-up:
Starts at 12:00p.m. at Forest Ridge Golf & Country Club, 7501 E. Kenosha 74014.  The ride begins at 1:00 p.m.

Route:
West on Kenosha to County Line, head North to 91st.  Take 91st West to The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club, 1400 West Washington St. (on 91st between Elm & Aspen).

Join us for chili after the ride!
For more information call 918-258-7545.

-Lt. Jamie Clay

Remembering a Dear Friend

Verda & Joyce, Christmas 2009

The Salvation Army lost a dear friend and ardent supporter recently when Mrs. Verda Denning died at the age of 97. Until a few months ago, Mrs. Denning was active, alert and a pleasure to talk to, according to Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary board member Joyce Zeigler.  "I delighted in becoming her friend as she was the most interesting lady. She loved the Salvation Army and it was her joy to be a Guardian Angel to treat her friends to the Auxiliary’s Christmas Luncheon as her guests.  That included her pastor and church friends plus those who had helped her in some way."

Last year, Joyce and Kay Reeves, also an executive board member, visited her at her nursing home residence as she wanted to donate some Oriental wall hangings from Singapore to our silent auction. They were her treasures from many years ago. "She lived a full and wonderful life and I'm happy I got to be her friend"  Joyce said.

She will be dearly missed by everyone at the Salvation Army who knew and loved her.

-Sallie