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

Save the Children's Home

WE NEED YOUR HELP!


This is NOT a budgetary issue--although Oklahoma Legion Adjutant Kellerman wants you to think that. It is NOT a decision of all the American Legion Posts and Auxiliaries across the United States who support ALCH. It is a Kellerman decision backed by twenty men on the Executive Board.

The Angels-thats us- represent local non-Legion volunteers and contributors who

Want to save the Children's home

Ask why did this happen, and

Propose alternatives



There are alternative. Here are just a few;

A) extend the deadline so our high school seniors can graduate

B) reverse the decision entirely, until we receive an open hearing

C) buy time for the Angels to find a buyer for the home.



HOW CAN YOU HELP

The Angels cannot accept contributions. We can mobilize you and you can mobilize all your friends and family to impact this dreadful decision and the process by which it was made.

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More information available:

-Diane Beekmans open letter to David Kellerman, OK State Adjutant and Board Members, and letter to the Editors

-Link to Facebook Causes Page

Ponca City News Front Page Articles
-Wednesday, October 27, 2010
-Thursday, October 28, 2010
-Friday, October 29, 2010


Emial your letters to
savethechildrenshomeangels@yahoo.com
Your letters will be combined with the voices of others and be directed in bulk to the people who need to see that we care.
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On a personal note:
Raising Awareness on this issue is vital for Darren and I.  This is not a budget issue, we need your voice. 
Email me personally if you would like more information
tinaclonts@yahoo.com
 

Children's Home in the News

CLICK HERE TO GO THE PONCA CITY NEWS ARTICLE

As I was sitting with my daughter at the hospital this morning the nurse came in astonished about the news that the Children's Home would be closing.  We hinted at how it affected us and he said that the article had made the front page news.  So I have included a link to this mornings article which will give you the facts as of now if you are interested. 

MiKay is feeling better and we hope that she will be released in the morning.  Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers.  We know that control over all is not in our hands, but in God's.  This of course applies to all of our circumstances yesterday, today & tomorrow.

tinaclonts@yahoo.com

Bracelets for Kim

Per Robin on Facebook:

We are selling silicone braclets (purple) that say FAITH LOVE CONQUER AND KIMBERLY ON BACK SIDE. to help Kim with medical expenses. It has been doing very well we had to order more. If you would like one or more let me know . $5.00 a braclet. Thanks everyone for all your support.

Contact:

Robin: robin_mike06@yahoo.com

Bob and Marcia Crandall

Please spread the word!

Thanks, Tina