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Sheryl Davidson, right, was the winner of the quilt raffle held to benefit Books for Tots. Davidson was one of many people who helped raise $780.25 for the organization. The quilt was made by USAO student Stephanie Conner, left. Donations can be sent to Dr. Jeanne Mather, USAO Education Department, 1727 West Alabama, Chickasha, Okla. 73018.
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Local Book for Tots seeks donations
“To read a book for the first time is to make an acquaintance with a new friend; to read it for a second time is to meet an old one.”
If this Chinese saying is true, then the Student National Education Association, Kappa Delta Pi, many USAO staff, faculty and students and community volunteers have introduced more than 47,500 new friends to area children through Books for Tots. These books would not be possible without the generous donations of community members, businesses, children and service organizations.
For the 14th year in a row, SNEA and KDP are spearheading Books For Tots. The goal is to equip local children with books of their own. To do this, the organizations need donations of new books, gently used books and monetary donations.
“Seeing children engrossed in good books – laughing, crying, learning new information or just using their imagination -- is a wonderful thing,” said Dr. Jeanne Mather, professor of education and founder of Books for Tots. “Unfortunately, there are children in our communities who seldom get the opportunity to experience the adventure of reading a book they can call their own.”
“In addition to more than 47,500 new books, there have been thousands of used books donated to organizations that include Children’s Hospital, Ronald McDonald House, Grady Memorial Hospital, Santa’s Workshop, Southwest Youth and Family Services, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Chickasha Police Department and the Department of Human Services.
“Books for Tots does more than provide books to needy children. It demonstrates the caring, compassionate nature of people. Thus, the goals of the project are to promote reading, give children the joy of having a book of their own, teach and hopefully instill the value of altruism and community service in our children and, in short, make a difference in the lives of children,” Mather said.
In Dec. 2008, the organization distributed more than 6,110 new books to Oklahoma children, as well as more than 1,200 used books to organizations serving children.
“Our goal this year is to at least match last year’s numbers. With a poor economy and recession, this goal may be difficult to meet. However, in this type of economy, the need is much greater.
“We are working to raise money through donations to purchase books which we will then distribute at Christmas to children in need in our community identified by community organizations.”
such as the Department of Human Services, churches, schools, Salvation Army and Santa’s Workshop.
“All cash donations are spent on the children in the community. The students and faculty at the university all work on a volunteer basis with SNEA absorbing the printing costs. There are no administrative costs,” Mather said.
“Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated. Through the efforts of many volunteers and countless generous individuals, businesses and organizations, we can once again help many children.”
Donations can be sent to Dr. Jeanne Mather, USAO Education Department, 1727 West Alabama, Chickasha, Okla. 73018. Checks should be made out to the USAO Foundation – Books for Tots.
Donations of new and/or good used books are also welcomed and may be dropped off in the Business Office on the second floor of Troutt Hall or in the Education Office, Gary Hall 106. “If you are unable to bring the books, call us at 405-574-1291 and we will be happy to pick them up,” Mather said.
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Transformations
What comes to mind when you think of the word, “Transformation”?Do you have fantastic thoughts of people or things changing into something amazing for example, Clark Kent turning into Superman or Bruce Banner becoming the Incredible Hulk or possibly something a little more down to earth like a caterpillar miraculously changing into the beautiful butterfly?
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GRADY COUNTY FAIR RESULTS
Plants
Potted Plants
(Several varieties combined)
First: (Adult) Ann O'Bar
Second: (Adult) Joyce Riker
Third: (Adult) Jallane Link -
AROUND THE AREA
SEPTEMBER 2
Poetry Reading
• When: Sept. 2, 7 p.m.
• Where: Eduardo’s Mexican Restaurant, Private Room, 3127 S. 4th St., Chickasha
• Details: Featured Poet is Carol Hamilton, writer, storyteller and Poet Laureate of Oklahoma 1995-97Hamilton’s website is www.carolhamilton.org. There is no admission fee to attend the Poetry Reading, and refreshments are available for purchase. For more information, contact Rockford Johnson, 224-0160 or 317-7506. -
Duncan nips Chicks for straight-game win
Duncan got their eighth match win of the season Tuesday, beating Nancy Waters’ Lady Chicks in straight games at the Activity Center.
The Chicks looked like they had a little hangover from Monday night’s tough road loss at Tecumseh, coming out flat again and dropping their first two games by identical 25-17 scores.
They came out firing on all eight cylinders for game three, running out to a 15-9 lead on the strength of a 7-0 run with Shelby Crosley serving, but the Demons battled back to tie it late and the Chicks let it slip away, 25-21. -
STATE SPORTS BRIEFS
NORMAN (AP) — Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops has named walk-on Patrick O'Hara as the starting place-kicker for the seventh-ranked Sooners.
Stoops said on his radio show Tuesday night that O'Hara won the competition with Jimmy Stevens, freshman Michael Hunnicutt and redshirt freshman Bryce Easley. -
OSU's Gundy still learning on job
STILLWATER (AP) — Mike Gundy hasn't lost his love for dialing up the right play to keep Oklahoma State's offense purring along.
That passion, which he has called the most enjoyable part of his job as head coach, was bred into him as an offensive coordinator. And he is a former starting quarterback for the Cowboys. -
Whimsical metal work, jewelry part of big art show at USAO
A showing of whimsical metal work and jewelry is scheduled to be on display at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma during Helen’s Show Sept. 10-Oct 1.
The show will feature the work of USAO graduate Helen Shafer. The exhibition will be open daily during normal business hours in the Davis Hall Third Floor Art Gallery on the USAO campus. The show is free and open to the public. An opening reception is scheduled Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. in the gallery. -
High-speed chase lands 1 in jail
A high-speed motorcycle chase down Highway 81 last Wednesday landed a Ninnekah man in jail and a felony charge of eluding a police officer.
Court records show that James William Hutchins, 21, blew by Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Timothy Parrish at U.S. Highway 81 and County Road 1460 and was clocked going 144 miles per hour in a posted 70 miles per hour zone.
Parrish reported that he was sitting stationary at that location at about 3:45 p.m. on Aug. 25 when he observed a red motorcycle traveling southbound. He engaged his emergency lights and siren and pulled onto the roadway behind the Triumph motorcycle. -
5 inmates denied parole
Parole was recently denied for five Grady County inmates serving sentences with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.
The following individuals were denied at the August Pardon and Parole Board meeting:
• Jeremiah Daniel Cline, who is serving a five-year sentence for distribution of a controlled dangerous substance and a five-year sentence for possession of a controlled dangerous substance, began his sentence in August 2008.
• Warren P. Diego, who is serving a 15-year sentence (10 years PTS) for lewd molestation, began his sentence in February 2009. -
Judge recuses herself from pharmacy case
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A state district judge has stepped aside from the first-degree murder trial of a pharmacist accused in the fatal shooting of an unconscious would-be robber.
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Transformations
