On
January 28, 2011 Western
Neighbors Chili Dinner and Silent Auction will be returning.
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
