Wheels of charity
OKLAHOMANS REACH OUT
WALKER, La. — Outside the small town of Walker, a rural Baptist church has become an oasis for flood victims.
As waters rose amid torrential rains that started about Aug. 8, National Guard rescue crews dropped people off at South Walker Baptist Church, because it sits on a ridge of relatively high ground in Livingston Parish near Baton Rouge.
Even as flooding has receded in recent days, the church — like many other places across hard-hit south Louisiana — has continued providing sustenance for the body and soul.
It sheltered 96 people in the days after the storm, and Pastor Mark Carroll said the sanctuary is still a dormitory for more than 20 who lost their homes, including a man who had been living in his car. It is also housing volunteers who have come to help people rebuild.
With a congregation of about 100 and help from the community, the church is offering hot meals, running a pantry stocked by donations from across the U.S. and conducting prayer services. Carroll said the church had been planning a revival in about The Chain Reaction ministry at Restoration Church recently gave away its 2,000th bicycle.
Faith-based groups in Oklahoma have been reaching out to Louisiana flood survivors.
Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief teams have set up a large feeding unit at Istruma Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, in addition to offering other aid. The food prepared by crew members is placed in insulated food containers and transported to distribution sites by the American Red Cross.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma City-based Feed the Children and the Salvation Army have joined with Reach Out America, Operation Compassion, Convoy of Hope and Office Depot Foundation to provide disaster relief to Louisiana families affected by the flooding.
Thus far, Feed the Children has provided more than 350,000 pounds of supplies, valued at more than $650,000. The much-needed items are being delivered to Louisiana families via partner organizations.
Supplies include disaster-relief boxes, which contain personal care items, cleaning supplies and Energizer portable lights, flashlights and batteries, as well as boxes of food and water coolers.
Water donated to Feed the Children by Niagara Bottling will be transported into affected areas via The Salvation Army.
“Because of the generosity of Reach Out America, The Salvation Army, Operation Compassion, Convoy of Hope and Office Depot Foundation, Feed the Children is able to aid families who need us most,” said J.C. Watts Jr., Feed the Children president and chief executive officer. “Together we can provide assistance to the resilient residents of Louisiana.”
COMMUNITY
ORCHESTRA TO HOLD AUDITIONS
SHAWNEE — Auditions for the OBU/ Shawnee Community Orchestra will be at 7 p.m. Monday in Raley Chapel at Oklahoma Baptist University. The director is Jim Hansford, emeritus Burton H. Patterson professor of music and director of bands. Auditions are for string players, but wind and percussion instrumentalists can call Hansford at 585-4334 to learn more. Musicians should be prepared to play an excerpt of a solo or an etude and to sight-read. Rehearsals are 7 to 9 p.m. Mondays, starting Sept. 12.
HISTORY CENTER WELCOMES EDUCATORS
The Oklahoma History Center will hold its Back-toSchool Bash from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, bringing 15 to 20 museums and public education facilities together. Registration is not required for the free event. Staff and educators will answer questions about field trips, teacher resources, professional development and special events. Oklahoma History Center traveling trunks will be on display, and living history characters will be available.
COLORING SET FOR ADULTS
NORMAN — Whether for relaxation, meditation or artistic expression, Norman Public Library Central’s series “Color Your Cares Away” is bringing the world of coloring back to adults. The next edition is set for 6 p.m. Friday in Rooms A and B of the library, 225 N Webster Ave. It is for ages 18 and older. Coloring sheets, crayons and colored pencils are provided, but participants can bring their own supplies if they wish.
UCO CHEERS PARALYMPIC TEAMS
EDMOND — The University of Central Oklahoma and Edmond communities will cheer members of the U.S. Men’s and Women’s Sitting Volleyball teams as they prepare to go for the gold at the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Sept. 7-17. Both teams train at UCO, an official U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Site. The No. 2-ranked women’s team is led by UCO student and 2016 ESPY finalist Heather Erickson, a three-time Paralympian, and the No. 9-ranked men’s team is led by UCO resident athlete Eric Duda. The send-off at 4 p.m. Tuesday at the UCO Wellness Center is open to the public.