Saturday, November 5, 2016

Fundraiser Banquet only a few days away

There are only 10 more days remaining!
Until what?  The election?  No.
Veterans Day?  No.

The time for the Western Oklahoma Family Care Center Fundraising Banquet is approaching fast.  It will be on Tuesday, 15 November 2016 at the Elk City Civic Center.  The silent auction begins at 6:00 p.m. and the program and meal commence shortly thereafter.  This year’s theme is Unsung Heroes.

What’s the big deal about the Western Oklahoma Family Care Center?

This is a place where people who can barely keep their heads above water go for help.  They may have a minimum wage job and generally get by in life, but one week of missing work due to an accident or the flu or four kids out of school with the flu and suddenly the electric bill is past due.  The Family Care Center has rescued many a family that were trying hard to make it in life but just needed a little boost when the cutoff notice arrived a week before the next paycheck.

Have you ever had an abscessed tooth?  That’s normally not something that you tough out and hope it goes away, but some people don’t have the money or insurance needed to get it fixed.  Many have found relief at the Hope Clinic.  Others come for other reasons but the common denominator is that they can’t afford to go anywhere else.  Whether you like the Affordable Care Act or hate it with a passion; there is still a large part of our community that has no health insurance and can’t afford to get it.  That does not mean they cannot get care.  Over the past few years, the two clinics that are a part of the WOFCC have provided the equivalent of more than 1 million dollars’ worth of services to patients at no cost to them. 

The clinic pharmacy has also provided medication to people at no charge.  Some people may be able to afford a $4 copay for a prescription at their local pharmacy but many cannot afford even that and would go without were it not for the WOFCC pharmacy.

Stranded travelers, fire victims, people on the verge of homelessness, and so many more who have just hit a rough spot in their lives have found help at the WOFCC.  Please note that this is a hand up and not a hand out organization.  The WOFCC is a faith based non-profit organization and that means making every encounter with the clientele count.  Workers practice mercy and do it cheerfully but do speak the truth in love.  More than money, so many of our clientele need lifestyle changes, the discipline to budget, and a family of faith to call home.

The WOFCC does its best to guide, mentor, counsel, and even challenge those served to know a better way of life.  Many of the people that are helped are just focused on the short-term issue but those who serve on the board, the few employees in the organization, and the volunteers are focused on helping people for the long haul as well.  All who are called to serve have found that the monetary help given, the medical services provided, and everything else that happens during a day of service just come down to loving our neighbor.  Those are familiar words in these parts.

What’s the big deal?  What’s not a big deal?  This is where the rubber meets the road in loving our neighbor in Beckham, Custer, Roger Mills, and Washita Counties.  WOFCC services rely on donations.  The November Fundraiser is critical to continued operations.  Some will donate thousands of dollars, some a few hundred, and others will buy a ticket to the banquet.  All donations help.

You may think that times are tough and this is not the right time to make a donation.  Realize that for many, times are not tough—they are desperate.  Without the WOFCC, many would lose hope.  Even a donation of $25 or $100 helps the clinics serve just a few more patients or maybe keeps the power on for a family with a house full of children.

If you live in Washita County and need a ticket or would like to donate, please contact Reverend Thomas Spence at (580) 562-4706.  If you live in the other three counties that are served, please contact the Western Oklahoma Family Care Center at (580) 225-5500.

Western Oklahoma Family Care Center
Unsung Heroes
Fundraiser Banquet
Tuesday, 15 November 2016
Elk City Civic Center
6:00 p.m.
Tickets $30
Advance Purchase $25



And for those who are called to do more...





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