Salvation Army opens new office for social services in Ponca City

The Salvation Army of Ponca City announces a new location for social services in Ponca City.  The address is 111 W. Comanche Avenue.  The office is open on Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

As of last week, Rebecca Ware joined the local office as a case worker.  Ware has worked for The Salvation Army previously as a shelter manager and overseeing social services.  In 2011, she was The Salvation Army’s Woman of the Year.

Ware recommends calling to schedule an appointment for those unable to make it during regular business hours.  There may be options for other arrangements.

Additionally, volunteers are still needed to help answer the phone, greet guests as they enter the office and provide the needed paperwork for those seeking assistance to fill out.

In addition to a new location, a Service Extension Committee is operational with Steve Gales as President.  Five additional community members comprise the committee and are very active in supporting The Salvation Army.

The committee thanks the residents of Kay County and Ponca City for their generous support this past Christmas season.

The Red Kettle Campaign, with the assistance of co-coordinators Phylisha Kimbrel and Connie Smith, received more than $10,600 in donations. The Army attributes the 127-year-old campaign’s success to the continued support of retailers who allowed the Red Kettle bell ringers at the front doors of their businesses, as well as the 147 volunteers who manned seven locations and gave of their time and the overall generosity of the community.

The Angel Tree program, coordinated by Debbie Ross, provided 487 families with Christmas gifts with an estimated value of more than $27,000.  Thanks also goes to Gina Bowman who stepped forward to assist when a call for volunteers for Angel Tree was sent out.  All gifts were donated by residents of Kay County and Ponca City.   More than 200 volunteers provided 166 hours during the months of November and December to ensure those less fortunate seeking assistance could see their children have a very Merry Christmas.

Major Ben Lawrence, Divisional Secretary and Shirley Logue, Divisional Director of Service Extensions, respectively for the Arkansas-Oklahoma Division of The Salvation Army also extend their appreciation.

“Thank you!   It seems too simple . . . yet we can’t think of two better words to say,” Logue said. “There are words such as gratitude, appreciation, grateful, and many more and they all convey what we want the public to know. We appreciate everyone who gave of their time, talent and resources.”

Lawrence added “We must thank the wonderful retail partners who allow us to ring bells in front of their stores to help provide an avenue for community members to help those less fortunate.  Thank you!”

About The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. 82 cents of every dollar spent is used to carry out those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.