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

Bellringing 101

DO’S & DON’TS of BELL RINGING

DO’S

1.      Do smile and say hello to everybody who walks by.
2.      Do be neat and wear warm and clean clothes.
3.      Do what the manager of the store asks you to do.
4.      Do say “Thank You” to everyone, no matter what amount they put in your Kettle.
5.      Do be courteous at all times.
6.      Do have fun; you are raising money to help needy children for Christmas.

DON’TS

1.      Don’t ask for money.
2.      Don’t eat at the Kettle.
3.      Don’t smoke, or use smokeless tobacco at the Kettle.
4.      Don’t argue with anyone at the Kettle.
5.      Don’t make change for anyone.
6.      Don’t sit down while at the Kettle.
7.      Don’t shop while you are on duty.
8.      Don’t ring the bell too loud, or in anyone’s face.
9.      Don’t have friends or anyone else hanging around the Kettle.
10.  Don’t ever leave the Kettle unattended.
11.  Don’t wear any clothing or hats with logos or advertisements on them.

!

Are you interested in volunteering as a bell ringer this year? Call 918-587-7801 and ask for Rhonda.

Kids Care Week

Happy Kids Care Week! This week is special because it is nationally recognized as a week to introduce children to volunteering.  The theme this year is, “Make your mark on the world: Go the extra mile.”

As most of our blog readers know, we are very proud to operate 6 local Boys & Girls Clubs in Tulsa, Sapulpa, Sand Springs and Broken Arrow.  This week, we are getting the kids involved by teaching them about volunteering.  They will be actively participating by working on a service project of their own this Friday.  What are they doing? Creating nearly 300 Christmas cards!

Every year, The Salvation Army’s Community Care Ministries help hundreds of seniors in our community by providing them with a Christmas gift and special visit by one of our officers or Corp members.  Many of these seniors have no family or friends to visit them during the holidays.  Well, this year they will also be getting something else very special… a Christmas card handmade by one of our Boys & Girls Club kids.  Some will have glitter, some will have stickers, many will wish a Merry Christmas and I am sure that most will offer a priceless glimpse into the imagination of a child.

I can’t wait until Friday to see what they come up with!

Here's the website for more information about "Kids Care Week," a national volunteer week. http://www.kidscare.org/about/kidsCareWeek

P.S. Adults can volunteer this Christmas too! Click here to learn about our fun holiday opportunities for individuals and groups.

~Lindsay

Thank you Salvation Army Employees

Ramona Lytle is honored for 25 years of service.

Recently, I was honored to spend time thanking my employees for their dedication to The Salvation Army.  I am amazed by their quality and dedication everyday.  The employees honored had give 5, 10, 15, 20 or 25 years of service to our mission, with a total of 451 years of service.

I am blessed to be in Tulsa and to serve alongside these
wonderful employees. I also want to thank the other staff who

Jake Law, Rosemary Brown & Latrice Fowlkes

work hard everyday and give of themselves daily. We are a
blessed Army of true dedicated men and women who
love their God and community. After our special luncheon all employees were granted an extra day off for the Labor Day weekend, I hope they enjoyed it.

 “Rejoice and be thankful! As you walk with me through his day, practice trusting and thanking Me all along the way. Trust is the channel through which My Peace flows into you. Thankfulness lifts you up above your circumstances.

I do My greatest works through people with grateful, trusting hearts. Rather than planning and evaluating, practice trusting and thanking Me continually. This is a paradigm shift that will revolutionize your life.”  Phil. 4:4; Ps. 95:1; Ps 9:10

I am truly thankful for your work each and every one of you.

Employees honored:

ARLETTA ROBINSON, BETTY BRADBURY, BJ ROBISON, CATHY KUMM, CHARITY MITCHELL, CHRISTOPHER WALLACE, DAVID LITTERELL, DAVID MASON, DENNIS HENDERSON, ERMA LANDRUM, FRAN SADLER, GREG PARKER, GWEN BESS, JAKE LAW, JAMAR GIDDING, JANIS FRALEY, JEAN SMITH, JEROME SMITH, JO BRIGHT, JOSEPH HUDSON, JULIE BEAULIEU, KELI JOHNSON, KENNY KING, LATRICE FOWLKES, LINDA SCOTT, LIZ LAW, ODELL NORMAN, POLLY CHEATWOOD, RAMONA LYTLE, RICHARD STEWART, ROSEMARY BROWN, SAMANTHA MESSICK, SHELLEY CRAMER, TARA RICKETSON, TERESA BOWERS, TRACY HAMILTON.

-Major Roy Williams

Helping a Community by Action

This past summer, the Sand Springs Public School System announced a new dismissal time for all elementary schools in the Sand Springs district. This change meant that secondary students would not get out earlier than the younger kids, a problem for many parents whose older children typically watched the younger ones after school.“We were inundated with phone calls from parents who really didn’t know what to do with their kids after school,” said Salvation Army Sand Springs Boys & Girls Club Director Greg Parker.

Immediately after the announcement was made the Club began to work toward a solution to the child care issue facing many in the community. Parker met with school administrators and discussed the concerns of the community and how the Club could help relieve the pressure on parents. A plan was made to extend programs offered at the club and begin new on-site after school programs at local elementary schools.

This project offered flexibility for the community but left the Club scrambling to grow very quickly. “Everyone had to pitch in to make it work, we were shorthanded but all our staff responded great,” noted Parker.

Following a phone call from the administration to district parents directing them to contact the Club for information on the new options, after school programs grew from serving 35 children to 120—in just a few short weeks, surprising Parker.

The two new onsite programs include one at Angus Valley Elementary serving students from Angus and Limestone Elementary Schools and one at Pratt Elementary. Students come in for free time, homework and snacks, structured physical activities and one-to-one tutoring. The established program at the Sand Springs Boys & Girls Club (4403 S. 129th W. Ave.) offers daily programming also, focusing on a routine that includes tutoring, homework, fitness and the arts.

The Sand Springs Boys & Girls Club is glad to host so many activities and programs for the people in the community and is blessed beyond belief with support from residents of Sand Springs. Parker and his Club staff have shown that dedication to “Doing the Most Good” brings exciting—and sometimes unexpected—rewards.

As always, it's a great time to be involved with The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club of Sand Springs! Call 918-245-2237 to get more information on this or other Club programs.

~Lindsay

Thanks-giving for United Way

Have you ever wondered what it is like to eat Thanksgiving dinner at the shelter? It is one of the busiest days of the year at The Center of Hope.  Many families and individuals join The Salvation Army that day for a warm holiday meal and to give thanks for what they have.

This year, as we work to raise funds for The Tulsa Area United Way the Center of Hope is fixing up an early Thanksgiving lunch! For only $10.00 they will be serving all the holiday favorites (turkey, dressing, potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, salad, cranberry sauce, pies) on Friday, October 15th from 11a.m.-noon.  This meal is open to the public and will raise much needed funds to support local non-profit agencies.

OCTOBER 15th

11:00 a.m. - Noon

Center of Hope

102 N. Denver

To-go meals are also available.  To place an order for you or your workplace, call Tara at 918-582-7201 x208.  

~Lindsay

No One is Immune from Homelessness

Gale Baker’s resume is three pages long and includes stints as an adjunct college professor teaching managerial statistics and corporate finance management. Gale has her MBA and has completed half of the studies needed to obtain a PhD. One of the items she left off her resume is her address, which is 102 N. Denver:  The Salvation Army Center of Hope homeless shelter and social services center.

Gale was living in Dallas when her employer, a medical case management company, gradually cut back her hours from full time to part time to one or two days a week. She lost her car and her apartment and tried living with family and friends but said it was too difficult. “I don’t want to be a burden,” she said. Gale moved to Tulsa a month ago where she had lived and worked from 2002 to 2006. At the Center of Hope, she lives in the Project Able women’s dorm and is in the Genesis program. Check out this link to a story OETA-Channel 11 filmed about Gale: 

-Sallie

Exciting Events @The Citadel

Just got some exciting updates from The Tulsa Citadel.  Not only do they offer numerous opportunities for praise and worship, but they always have exciting events going on.  Stop by, see what they are about and support some worthy causes!  The Tulsa Citadel is located in the Heart of Midtown!  31st and New Haven area at 3901 E 28th St Tulsa OK  74114

Spaghetti Dinner - TOMORROW!
Friday, October 1 6:30 pm Women's Ministries is hosting a Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser for the Mexico Children's Homes in the cities of Veracruz and Chihuahua. Cost is $5. Children under 5 , $2. All you can eat!  Salad and bread provided as well.

Crafty Treasures Bazaar
Join us as we celebrate fall and welcome the Christmas season!  Local vendors showcasing jewelry, home decor, sewn creations and other types of handmade goodness.
This bazaar is a fundraiser for the Tulsa Citadel Salvation Army's support of 2 Mexico Children's Homes in Veracruz and Chiuahua.

Friday October 29 is Preview Night from 6-8 pm.
Saturday the Bazaar is open from 9-4pm.

Teen Ministry will be serving concessions.

We still have a few spots available for vendors! If interested in becoming a vendor or if you have questions, contact the Citadel office at 918-747-8844 or email charity_mitchell@uss.salvationarmy.org   

Get out there folks! Join us! ~Lindsay

Eastern Oklahoma Food Bank Shout Out

At the Salvation Army, we are huge fans of the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma. At our Center of Hope homeless shelter and social services center, we provide an average of 1,000 meals a day to our guests. Much of the food comes from the Food Bank. That’s why we supported the Food Bank’s Restaurant Week, when some of the best restaurants in Tulsa agree to chip in 10 percent of their proceeds to the Food Bank’s Food 4 Kids program. It didn’t hurt that one of our favorite lunch spots, The Chalkboard, is about a block from the office. To learn how to support the Food Bank, go to http://www.cfbeo.org. 


-Sallie
Photo: Jessica was our server at the Chalkboard.

"Dog Days of Summer” Raises the Bar

The Salvation Army HR department's Dog Days of Summer fundraiser has raised the bar for Area Command fundraisers by earning $600, the most lucrative event this year. TSA is a United Way Agency, and as part of our internal TAUW campaign each department is charged with hosting an event to raise money for TAUW’s annual campaign.

HR department members sent out e-mail teasers starting a month before the event, using every bad pun and play on words related to dogs that they could come up with. What did they serve for lunch? Hot DOGS. Employees voted for their favorite dog by putting cash in jars with the dog’s photos taped to them. Major Williams got in on the fun by putting out a jar with his cat’s photo on it, but he was disqualified.

The department brought in guest speakers and barkers from the Owasso Police Department and Therapetics. Prizes were donated by Southern Agriculture and Merritt’s Bakery. Committee members were: HR Director KyKy Kanyiki, HR Administrative Assistants Kimberly Willis, Mardina Blackshire, Ann Loveless; Nancy Lloyd, Benefit Dinner Assistant.

Photo 1: Michael Dishman, Fundraising and Special Events Director, poses with his Miss Tilly who earned the tiara by winning the Cutest Dog Contest.

Photo 2: BoBo Godwin. As a cat owner, I’m hoping that the next event will be a Cutest Cat Contest, because I think BoBo will win.

What do you think? Does your company or organization host United Way Fundraisers? Please, post a comment and/or photos and let us know!

-Sallie

Food for Hope Winners Fill Up Their Tanks!

Who could be more deserving of a $1,000 QuikTrip gift card than a person who works three jobs, is married with three kids and drives a Dodge Durango that gets 10 miles to the gallon? That person is Allen Martin, and he picked up his QuikTrip gift card today at the 31st and Garnett Rib Crib where his receipt was entered in the Food for Hope drawing. 
During Food for Hope Week, Aug. 9-13, restaurants agreed to give 15 percent of the tabs of patrons who entered Food for Hope to raise money for meals for the homeless. All the money went to the meal program at the Center of Hope homeless shelter which serves an average of 1,000 meals a day.  Allen was joined by Rib Crib waitress Hannah Philbeck (both left) who won a $100 QT card. Hannah says she visits QuikTrip two to three times a day to buy a 32 ounce cup of sweetened iced tea. Congratulations to Allen and Hannah and many thanks to QuikTrip and Rib Crib for supporting Food for Hope.
 

Writer’s Note:
Am I a little eccentric for thinking of my favorite QuikTrip as “MY” QuikTrip? QT is so woven into our culture, I can’t imagine Tulsa without it. My favorite item is a decaf skinny latte. Allan’s favorite is a breakfast sandwich and Hannah has her tea. Where’s “YOUR” QuikTrip and what do you buy there? This inquiring mind wants to know! 
-Sallie

Drilling, Grilling, Painting & Planting: Thank You Tulsa!

It was hot, humid and windy, but 269 amazing volunteers at seven locations completed 30 projects for The Salvation Army during the Tulsa United Way Day of Caring. The Center of Hope homeless shelter was home for six projects as volunteers from Grand Bank installed new speed bumps in the parking lot, American Airlines employees painted the chapel and Enterprise Rent-A-Car painted the Project Able lounge. Outside the Center of Hope, volunteers from Tulsa Community College. Tulsa CARES and UPS grilled burgers for lunch. Students from the Tulsa Job Corps showed a movie and served popcorn to residents.

Painting and planting projects dominated at the Boys & Girls Clubs, as Magellan Midstream Partners volunteers planted flower borders at Mabee Red Shield and employees from Magellan and Alliance Coal painted at the North Mabee Boys & Girls Clubs. Dan Ellinor, chair-elect of TAUW’s board, and volunteers from the Bank of Oklahoma painted hallways at the West Mabee Boys & Girls Club.

At the Sapulpa Boys & Girls Club, St. John Health System employees transformed the playground by painting the wooden jungle gym bright green and yellow. Inside the club, Nichols/Pacer Energy Marketing employees painted the gym.  At the Sand Springs Club, Tulsa County employees painted the gym, Dentsply and Exterran employees cleaned the floor and painted the computer room.

We are also grateful to volunteers from the following other companies that participated in the Day of Caring: Neosource Inc., Relay Health-McKesson Corp., The Holmes Organisation. AEP-PSO, Rupe Building Company, Kimberly-Clark Corp., Bank of America, Senior Star Living, LaFarge, Southwestern Bell Company dba AT&T, Lifegate and Trase Miller Technologies.

Writer’s Note:
I was privileged to visit with and photograph volunteers at the Center of Hope and the Boys & Girls Clubs in Sand Springs and Sapulpa. It looked as if you were having a great time but I’d love to hear from you. Please post a comment, especially if you know how to get latex paint stains out of cotton. Next year I’m wearing my paint clothes, no matter how bad they look!
Thanks,
Sallie