Western Neighbors Inc. is a community help organization active since 1981. The organization is located in the Crystal City Shopping Center at 4235 Southwest Boulevard. P.O. Box 570976 Tulsa, OK 74157. Services are available to community members west of the Arkansas River who qualify for services in the area.
Phone 918-445-8840 for additional information.
To our friends, the merchants/leaders of Southwest Tulsa
As the charitable, human services partner among the traditional, home-grown organizations of Southwest Tulsa (a network that includes the Southwest Tulsa Chamber of Commerce, Southwest Tulsa Historical Society, Red Fork Lions Club, TownWest Sertoma, Westside YMCA, RedFork Main Street and the Route 66 Village Council), we are writing to you at this festive time of our brand-new year to make sure that you are aware that
We are so glad that you are here !!
Your continuing investment, presence and activities among the historic neighborhoods of the Community of Southwest Tulsa have brought renewed assurance and optimism for the well-being and growth of this area for those of us who have long been a part of what we consider to be the “biggest small town” in northeastern Oklahoma! We hope that you are enjoying the kind of appreciation and support of which we believe we are uniquely capable.
Western Neighbors Inc. is a private, grass-roots community assistance charitable organization which, for almost 30 years, has sought and produced from the community the financial and other resources to provide the supplemental food, used clothing, household necessities, financial support for maintaining utilities and providing emergency prescription medications needed monthly by vulnerable Westside individuals and families. The enclosed Update/F.Y.I. will show you the remarkable levels of service we have been able to provide in meeting the emergency needs of close to 400 individuals and families EACH MONTH.
Now – We are seeking your help: A Benefit is planned – in the form of a Benefit Chili Dinner and Silent Auction for Friday, January 28, 2011. We are seeking items or services for the Silent Auction and/or financial contributions to offset the costs of preparing/serving the meal or for Western Neighbors’ longer-term charitable purposes. Auction items, gift certificates and cash contributions will be most welcome. Your generosity is greatly appreciated – and all contributors will be recognized during this strongly supported annual Southwest Tulsa charitable event.
Please join us for a good time, good friends and the good of the Southwest Tulsa Community !
During 2009 (our most recent completed year), Your Western Neighbors . . .
-Provided 4,477 «shares» of supplemental food/ groceries for area families to meet their needs;
-Provided good, used clothing to 1,460 distinct families and individuals;
-Obtained and distributed, at no cost other than for transportation and distribution, more than 151,000 pounds of food from the Community Food bank of Eastern Oklahoma – estimated retail food value (conservatively averaged at $.15/lb.) of more than $173,650:
- Obtained (at wholesale price) and distributed more than 5,000 lbs. of additional foods, staples and meat products with funds provided through private donors. These purchases and WN's capability to transport and efficiently distribute these much-needed foods were greatly enhanced again this year through a special contribution from the George Kaiser Family Foundation;
- Distributed food donated through area churches, schools, businesses, etc., with a conservatively estimated retail value of more than $9,400;
- Assisted dozens of individuals in obtaining needed emergency prescription medications at a cost of almost $1,200 to help provide these needed medicines;
- Provided help with utility bill payments for 103 families (up from 73 a year ago) facing cut-offs at a cost of more than $8,000. A third special donation this year from the George Kaiser Family Foundation and a last quarter donation from Tulsa Community Foundation allowed WN to again serve more than twice the families it could otherwise have helped;
- Produced more than 3,500 hours of vclunteer time, donated from friends and neighbors in the SW Tulsa Community (valued, at minimum wage, at $20,125 !);
- Contributed regular weekly historical features for Tulsa County News;
- Coordinated efforts which resulted in the preparation of property for a Vision 2025 – Route 66 theme park and erection of the Red Fork (Oklahoma) Centennial Oil Derrick along Southwest Boulevard (Historic Route 66) facing the Webster High School entry;
- Assisted in planning for community improvements including restoration of the Frisco 4500 steam locomotive, design for the Red Fork Derrick/Route 66 attractioin/museum, and establishment of the Red Fork Main Street Program for Route 66/ Southwest Boulevard; and
- Continued exploring new and effective ways of helping members of the Southwest Tulsa community meet their own needs and those of each other !
Western Neighbors is a non-profit charitable organization which is tax exempt and tax deductible under the IRS Code
Section 501(c)3. Federal EIN: 73-1109460. (For more information, contact David M Breed, Exec. Director: 445-8840.)
2006 Western Neighbors Report, Jan thru Nov 2006
-Provided 3,467 "shares" of supplemental food/groceries for area families to meet their needs;
-Provided good, used clothing to 1 ,840 families and individuals;
-Obtained and distributed more than 58,402 pounds of food from Tulsa Community Food Bank (retail food value of more than $37,960;
-Obtained, at wholesale price, and distributed additional foods, staples and meat products with funds provided through private donors and the Emergency Food & Shelter Program. These purchases and Western Neighbor's capability to transport and efficiently distribute these much-needed foods were greatly enhanced this year through special contributions from the Anne & Henry Zarrow Foundation and the George Kaiser Family Foundation;
-Distributed food donated through area churches, schools, businesses, etc., with a conservatively estimated retail value of $ 8,300;
-Assisted dozens of individuals in obtaining needed prescription medications and raised more than $1,800 to help provide these needed medicines;
-Provided help with utility bill payments for 76 families facing cut-offs at a cost of more than $ 9,000. A special donation this year from the George Kaiser Family Foundation allowed WN to serve more than twice the families it could otherwise have helped ;
-Produced more than 2,150 hours of volunteer time, donated from friends and neighbors in the SW Tulsa community (valued, at minimum wage, at $11,070);
-Contributed regular weekly historical features for Tulsa County News;
-Coordinated efforts which resulted in the purchase of property for a Vision 2025 Route 66 theme park along Southwest Boulevard (historic Route 66) facing the Webster High School entry;
-Assisted in planning for community improvements including restoration of the Frisco 4500 steam locomotive, design for the Red Fork Derrick/Route 66 attraction/museum, and establishment of an Urban Main Street Program for Route 66/Southwest Boulevard; and
-Continued exploring new and effective ways of helping members of the Southwest Tulsa community meet their own needs and those of each other!
Western Neighbors is a non-profit charitable organization which is tax exempt and tax deductible under the IRS Code, Section 501 (c)iii. Federal EIN: 73-1109460.
For more Information, contact David M Breed, Executive Director: 446-7010