I Have THE Mark!

From the mouths of babes . . .

Five year old "Momma would you like me to write a mark on your hand?"

So, sure, I'm game. 

5yo: "Do you want a letter or a number?"

Moi: "Whatever you think I need"

5yo proceeds to write a large"J" with a green pen inside the palm of my hand.  "That means Jayse" (pronounced liked chase with a J). 

Moi: "What is a Jayse?"

After a lengthy attempt to explain the definition . . . you know by the room we play in . . . outside the room . . . by the door . . .

Her final definition of Jayse
"A Jayse is something old and dusty"

So I am marked today by my baby girl as "something old and dusty" by the green ink "J" in the palm of my hand.

________________

There is much joy to be had in the simple things.  Stop and appreciate your life today.  This was my gentle reminder to do so today and I am paying attention.

Update on the ALCH efforts

This is a copy of an email sent to our volunteer team members.  Edited to protect identities

Hello Friends!


Forgive me for just now emailing you, it has been a very busy weekend :)

Thank you for making yourself available. I want to take this opportunity to brief you on the weekend and make sure you have plenty of information resources.

First the weekend:

My personal feelings after the events at Saturday's District Meeting in Woodward--I am disappointed in our board, but NOT discouraged.

DISAPPOINTMENT - Our board members still refuse to listen to anyone or anything pertaining our children, our jobs, or our homes (BOO!)

ENCOURAGEMENT - We were well received by the majority of the Legionnaires attending. The Auxiliary members even came outside (three times) to ask if they could bring us something warm to drink. We were invited inside after lunch for a open discussion after the regular session concluded. It was very moving to hear the veterans standing up for our children. It was very emotional.

It was quite a drive to Woodward and it was stinkin' cold. But I am very proud to have been there, there were staff and volunteers who stood bold and strong for what they (WE) believe is right. You were well represented on Saturday. We stood for you, and for our kids, and for our homes. You should be proud and I hope that more of you may be available to attend next time. Yes, there will be more opportunities.

Beverly Bryant continues to do a wonderful job covering the story. If you want to know what happened in the meeting, you can pick up Sunday edition or read it tomorrow at www.poncacitynews.com . She was on the outside the same as we were and covered the events as we experienced them.

***THIS JUST IN***
I understand from our website creator that he interviewed Senator Myers for the website. Senator Myers makes mention in that interview that the board members are getting so many phone calls that they are starting to have their phone numbers changed!!!

Thank you to those of you who were available to make signs for Woodward.

Thank you to those working on the press release distribution.

There will be more to do, tomorrow evening the volunteer team (Diane, Becky, Amanda and myself) are going to meet to to regroup and then we will have more projects to work on.

To wrap up, now you all have my email address now and I welcome your feedback, ideas, whatever. Please be patient with me as I try to get back with you. Also, I have posted links some of our resources so dive in and share, share, share!
______________________
Email your letters of support to savethechildrenshomeangels@yahoo.com .
Your letters will be added to the MANY that are being forwarded to the board members.
______________________

Facebook Cause Page
Save The Children's Home Angels
Join the cause and invite your friends
______________________

http://www.savethelegionkids.com/
Our Website--Thanks to Andy and Coleen!
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Ponca City News Articles relating to the ALCH
http://www.poncacity.com/
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Stand Strong My Friends, We are all in this together,

What the WHAT!?!?!?

This has been a crazy couple of weeks.  I expect that we will have an idea of what direction our course will take after Saturday.  As much as we have had an amazing amount of support for our cause, we have also had many of our family and friends step forward to offer their help to us if necessary. 

I am overwhelmed by the supporters taking a stand from the meekest of citizens to the powers of the government and media.  There have only been a few letters or emails that have responded to me that have actually said "We are informed of what is going on, it is not the place of our office to have an opinion".  Shouldn't 60 people loosing their jobs and 74 people being displaced from their homes--all unnecessary--be of interest if thier voice can positively influence an extension in order to keep it from happening???  What if it were 600 jobs or 740 homeless?  Would that warrant their attention? 

Meanwhile, back on the homefront. . . Darren and Kallie have been picking up where I have been slacking, me being away from home so much.  I am grateful and I am appreciative of what my three youngest children are learning from this process. 

Darren, Kallie, Zach, and Bennette will all be participating in the production of NOC's annual Christmas Program. I will announce the details as I know them. 

We have finally named the newest addition to our family--Gypsie Rose.  She is recovering well, she is sleeping less and eating and playing more.  Her whiskers are singed and I think that has made her sick.

I am off to another day of sending emails.  If you haven't got yours then you must not be on my list.  Send me your email address and I will forward the information to you or send emails to savethechildrenshomeangels@yahoo.com

Thank you for all your support. 

Passionate about the Closing of the Children's Home

I have spent the last few days replying to phone calls and emails.  I am SO overwhelmed and appreciative of all of the support that we have received.  Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!  I hope that I have effectively expressed my concern for the closing of the Children's Home and the uprooting of so many children and families.  I have attached a copy of a letter that I just sent to a new facebook friend.  Contact me if you are interested in more information or if you would like to know how you can help further.
tinaclonts@yahoo.com


I would be very happy to bombard you with information of the tragedy occuring at the Children's Home :)



The Facebook Cause page is a good resource. We are linking as many news stories and letters to that page as we can. The Tulsa World and the Ponca City News have been very resourceful in quoting the offices of Senators, DHS, and our local city government and you will find that information in the news article links there.


There is a support group/letter writing campaign started. All emails letters and articles will be forwarded to the American Legion Board.


savethechildrenshomeangels@yahoo.com
or
Save the Childrens Home Angels
2709 Avon
Ponca City, OK 74601


We have a lot of faith in the American Legion Organization. This decision was appearantly made by the Oklahoma District Board consisting of 20 members. They are supposed to be acting on behalf of the National American Legionnairs (27,000+ members). Due to the overwhelming reaction of shock that seems to be surfacing on behalf of the American Legion at this time (including our local post), I feel like this board is going to have to be accountable to some very unhappy Legionaires across this country.


If this board has made the decision to "get out of the children's home business", there is a better way. This is NOT a budget issue. It is easy to understand that if there is no money, you have to shut things down. We have the funding we need. 90% of our funding is provided through DHS. The other 10% is provided to us through Grant writing and private donations. The American Legion does support us with donations and we are very appreciative because they go above and beyond to support our children on an inndividual sponsorship as well as in many other ways.


We love the American Legionaires and they are an important to our heritage and our future. I do not believe that the board making this decision is acting on the best interest of the American Legion as a whole. We hope that our campaign will help our voices be heard at the highest level. It is unnecessary that this abrupt closing should affect our community in such a negative way. If we have a few more months I am convinced that another organization would step in and we could make this transition without 74 people loosing their homes (44 children + 30 staff and family) and 60 people loosing their jobs. (Did I mention it's Christmas time, as well?)


I don't know if I have covered enough areas for you but I am available to answer any questions that you have.  I feel like I have expressed our passion for this cause. We appreciate your concern and any assistance or ideas that you might give to help us further our campaign.


Thanks, again! I hope you will be in touch soon,
Tina Clonts