The Salvation
Army provided shelter and meals to over 600 homeless persons last
year, along with the hope for a better tomorrow. Through United
Way, donations help provide services to the youngest and oldest
citizens of Kay County and surrounding area.
“Have you ever
dressed a child in warm clothing that had none?” If you’ve given to
the United Way you have. The Salvation Army has a winter coat drive
each year to provide good, warm coats for children in our community.
The Salvation Army was founded in 1865 by William Booth in London.
His goal was to meet “human needs without discrimination.” The
Salvation Army of Ponca City applies that goal to each individual
who walks through the doors.
Donating to
United Way provides The Salvation Army with the opportunity to feed
a hungry family who has not had a hot meal in many days. The
Salvation Army provides food assistance and often has a family come
to the door at meal time that is offered a hot meal and a food
basket to take home. Donating to United Way will also help keep a
family warm in the winter when they could not afford their heating
bill as The Salvation Army helps provide utility assistance
throughout the year to local citizens who face financial hardships.
The newest
program offered by The Salvation Army is the Boys and Girls Club.
BGC programs and services promote and enhance the development of
boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness,
belonging and influence. The Club is a place to learn and grow –
all while having fun while offering a safe environment for children.
The Salvation Army Boys Club and Girls Club helps single parents
keep a job by providing a safe environment for children to go while
parents are working.
More often than
not those who come for assistance have exhausted all other avenues
and feel no one cares. Some people need shelter, others need food,
clothing, or utility assistance, and some just need a hug and
assurance that things are going to get better.
“Working
together with other agencies is a vital part of our program, says
Major John Poff, Commanding Officer of the Ponca City Corps, and
with the help of United Way this has made assisting so many in need
a better process, making it possible for more clients to be given a
hand up.”
With follow-up
case management and continued life skills counseling The Salvation
Army applies these outcomes to encourage others in making changes in
their lives. “Individuals and families are not helped and then
forgotten, continues Poff. It is important for the community to know
that by working together lives can be changed and those who feel
there is no hope can once again see a future. The Red Shield Shelter
and New Beginnings program offers this hope to the homeless. The
Boys and Girls Club reaches out to our at risk youth. Our Social
Services strives to get individuals back on track. Our League of
Mercy offers a hug and smile to the lonely. Whether we are working a
disaster, handing out Christmas gifts to needy children, or simply
comforting someone who has lost a loved one, The Salvation Army of
Ponca City strives to meet those human needs without discrimination.
This is achieved with support from our United Way, a partner in
caring.”
The Salvation
Army Advisory Board members are Gary Bracken, chairman, John Bohannon,
Jack Branstetter, Liz Cochrane, Evelyn Coyle, Robert Coffee, Lee
Evans, Mary Beth Glass, Mike Grimes, Tom Hawkins, Robert Howard,
Lana Jones, Stan Kistler, Steve Linville, Ken Luttrell, Gary Martin,
Forrest Mertz, Marvin Musgrove, Gerald Nield, Perry Pederson, Bill
Popplewell, and James Roland.
United Way
helps support the following 15 member agencies: American Red Cross,
Arthritis Foundation, Boy Scouts-Cimarron Council, Child Development
Center, Domestic Violence Program of North Central Oklahoma, Girl
Scouts – Bluestem Council, Golden Villa Adult Day Services,
Helpline, New Emergency Resource Agency, Northern Oklahoma Youth
Services, Peachtree Landing, ProTeens, Retired and Senior Volunteer
Program, The Salvation Army, and the YMCA. Results you can see.
For more
information on United Way and its member agencies call 580.765.2476.
THE
SALVATION ARMY