Life happens...and then we go on living!

Well, the previous post was on the day I look my mom to a doctors appointment to find out exactly what was going on.  It is now August, that was February.  This post is a little different than my previous posts.  While much of my life consists of United Way activities.. the past few months have been involved with my family.  Mom after many doctor appointments, visits to the ER and all kinds of tests, was diagnosed with cancer.  In April when the diagnosis occurred, we really were not sure she would make it through the summer, but it's August and she is doing well.
Times like this make us (me) stop and realize that life happens no matter if we are ready or not.
Just before all this with mom happened, I was so overwhelmed with everything thinking that I made a difference and if I took a break....well things might not get done.  I have over the past few months "gotten over myself" :) We all make a difference, but not alone.  I have learned to ask for and accept help.  Try it as it is wonderful. People only ask if you need help if they really want to help.
Many personal things have changed in my life.  I have spent much more time with my parents over the past few months.  I have let go of what I should have let go along time ago. I have actually smiled more in the past three months that in the past three years.
We all make a difference, but we cannot make it by ourselves.  Take my well learned advice. Trust others, hold onto family (especially, if you have as great a spouse as I) and let life happen.  Personally, prayer does help. But again, I had to listen to the answers to my prayers.
This is my personal comments on life and that life happens, not the position necessary of United Way and/or the board.  Please take the comments as they were meant.  Life happens.. and then we go on living! But we have to be able to accept life.
Thanks for listening and look forward to more post ---regarding Ada Regional United Way of course, not my personal life.

Emergency Food and Shelter Program

The Emergency Food and Shelter Program Board met yesterday to allocate EFSP funds that were awarded to Pontotoc County for 2010.
Last year (2009) the following were recipients of EFSP funding:
AACES
Ada Area Youth Shelter
Crosspointe Church
Family Crisis Center
First Christian Church
Matthew 25 Mission
The Salvation Army 

It was decided yesterday during the Board Meeting that a new requirement would be added to each recipient - the agency/organization would provide a contact # for 24/7 access in the event of a crisis situation and/or emergency.  The potential LRO's (funded organizations/agencies) were given a deadline of Friday, February 26, 2010 2:00 p.m. to provide their request for funding including their contact numbers.

I will update the information following the deadline to let the community know who will be the LRO (recipients)  of the 2010 EFSP funding.  The amount awarded to Pontotoc County for 2010 allocations to LRO's is $16,111.


While this amount does not sound like much when we compare to the number of needs in our community, it is combined with all/any other funds to make a greater impact on those in need.


To finalize this post, I would like to say that personally, I think we have developed an excellent partnership in our community to meet as many needs as possible with the resources available.

Okay, sometimes things happen and I just don't get back to the blog....

So sorry that it has been a month since I have posted.  I promise to do a better job, but please know that when I am absent, it is for a good reason.  Busy, busy times at Ada Regional United Way lately.  Annual meeting was January 26th and with an absence of VISTA members for several weeks, tasks became quite large; so the blog took a back seat.  We now have Sandy Blackwood with us as a VISTA member, she moved to our site in January and is a welcome addition.  This week brought two more VISTA members, Brian Horton and Cortnee Reed.  We also have Megan Brockhoff back via Moving Into Tomorrow.  Once we all get going in unison, life will begin to be back to somewhat normal and I will do my best to keep up.
This week we are having our 2009 audit; so again a little busy.
I will stop whining for now and simply say that I will get back on task with blogging of agencies.
Thanks for being patient with me!!!!!!!

Today we discuss 2-1-1 of Southeastern Oklahoma

Okay, this one I really know about because Ada Regional United Way wrote the RFP (grant) that made this program (now an agency) happen.

The wonderful idea was first discussed summer of 2003 or maybe 04 soooo long ago.  The State of Oklahoma decided that one simple phone number linking anyone with a need would be beneficial.  The service became live in February, 2006 in our area.  The program grew so fast to cover such a large area, that ARUW soon began to discuss 2-1-1 becoming its own non-profit to allow better funding from all the coverage area.

Well, now 2-1-1 of Southeastern Oklahoma is a separate 501 c 3 non-profit organization as of last June.

If you have any need whatsoever (health and human service related), you simply pick up your phone and dial 2-1-1.  An auto attendance gives you options, but you can simply enter 1 and be connected to a real person to help you.  This person understands the local communities and will have quick answers for you needs, that is of course if the agency supplying the need has given 2-1-1 their information.  You see 2-1-1 is actually a real time data base.

When a call comes in it is anonymous, but your zip code is required to locate the best up to date information.  If specific identification, verification of residency, etc is required, 2-1-1 has the details.  If help can only be given on a specific date, time, etc. 2-1-1 has the details.

I hope you see how this works.

If you know of someone needing assistance, please have them call 2-1-1.

The overall intent was to keep an individual from making up to 8 phone calls before locating what they need.  The individual might locate what was needed by the end of this time, but may have forgotten to find out specifics.  All that is now taken care of.

Friendly, caring call specialists are ready to help you 24/7, 365 days a year.

If you have any questions about 2-1-1, please make a comment.  I'll check from time to time. 

See you tomorrow with info regarding the next agency.  You'll have to wait until tomorrow to see who I picked next.

Let's begin learning more about Ada Regional United Way, shall we?

In 2010, ARUW will be funding 15 local agencies along with a literacy project.

Dolly Parton Imagination Library is the literacy project -

This project allows any child one day old - 5th birthday to receive an age appropriate book once a month

The program is great because, the book belongs to the child and is mailed in the child's name.

I love stories from parents stating that their child seems to know when the book should be arriving and begin to ask to check the mail daily until they receive the book.

This project brings families together to read books.  Such a great memory when you have grown children as I do.  Think back to those simple times reading books with kids in my lap or listening to my husband as the girls crawled all over him as he read.

This is such an easy project to sign up with. The only requirements:  live in Pontotoc or Garvin County and be of appropriate age (above).  Just complete an application and within 8 - 10 weeks, your child will be receiving a great age appropriate book of their own, delivered in their name.

Please continue to read blogs a each day I will give my thoughts on each of our agencies.

Annual Meeting scheduled for 01.26.10

The entire community is invited to join Ada Regional United Way celebrate 2009 during the Annual Meeting.  The event is scheduled for Tuesday, January 26th.  PEC (NE corner of Lonnie Abbott and Country Club) will be allowing us to use their meeting room.  The event will begin at 5:30 p.m.  Food will be served, but details are not yet know as to what food.  If you are planning to attend, please contact me at Latricia.Bryant@adaunitedway.org or give me a call at (580) 332-2313 X 223.

I love the annual meeting because it allows us to revisit the past year's successes.  Even though the year as a whole included quite a slow economy, our local community member rallied together to raise over $270,000!  Some past contributors simply could not give as they had in the previous years, but they did contribute what they could.  Some who had not ever given before, gave this year to help those in need.

Please remember no matter how large or how small, your donations make a huge impact on our community.

I hope that you will make plans to attend the ARUW annual meeting!

Soccer with the Boys and Girls Club of Ada

Even though it’s cold outside, Spring will soon be upon us.
Soccer registration with the Boys and Girls Club of Ada is taking place now!
You can register your children online at www.bgcada.com and download the registration forms for your friends!
Or give the great staff a phone call 580-332-3717. 

www.bgcada.com