17 minute read
Special Needs Nonprofit Facing Challenges in Face of Pandemic, Suspected Arson This Summer
from Shawnee Outlook
by Jamie Bergsten
What do a U.S. space mission and a Shawnee entity have in common?
Advertisement
They share the same name, and both are proof that overcoming challenges is completely doable with the right support system in place.
On May 15, 1963, the spacecraft Faith 7 launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, as the final crewed space mission of NASA’s Mercury program. It was piloted by none other than Shawnee native Gordon Cooper and marked the last time an American was launched alone to conduct an entirely solo orbital mission. The craft completed 22 Earth orbits before splashing into the Pacific Ocean after more than 34 hours in flight.
Some at NASA felt that this particular mission – the ninth flight in the Mercury series – was too risky and shouldn’t be conducted, but other officials who supported the venture prevailed. Cooper – a United States Air Force major at the time – performed a variety of experiments and took numerous photographs during the flight. He was also the first American astronaut ever to send back television images from space.
Cooper’s feat of independence left a lasting mark on his birthplace as Shawnee gained its own Faith 7 that same year. The nonprofit Faith 7 Adult Activity Center opened in 1963 with the goal of providing employment opportunities and independence for those with delayed or limited development.
Now called F7 Work Activity Center, the organization seeks to improve vocational skills, provide fun activities in a safe environment and promote social interaction for its clients. They are paid for the work they do sorting items for recycling, assembling bags for conferences and events, shredding documents and more.
“The clients love F7, their little corner of the world, and the work they do,” said John Klaser, vice-chairman of the F7 board and president of the parents & guardians association. “There are about 40 people total in the program, counting both clients and staff.”
Klaser said the staff includes about six employees – some full-time, some part-time.
Unfortunately, F7 has had to face some major struggles this summer. First, the annual Faith 7 Bowl, pitting some of the best high school basketball players in Oklahoma and Texas against one another, had to be canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“That was heart-wrenching in two aspects,” On May 15, 1963, the spacecraft Faith 7 launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, as the final crewed space mission of NASA’s Mercury program. It was piloted by none other than Shawnee native Gordon Cooper. ... Cooper’s feat of independence left a lasting mark on his birthplace as Shawnee gained its own Faith 7 that same year. The nonprofit Faith 7 Adult Activity Center opened in 1963 with the goal of providing employment opportunities and independence for those with delayed or limited development.
Klaser said. “First is the players and the public that get to participate lost that opportunity this year. The second is that the funds generated by the Faith 7 Bowl help to pay for sending clients to Special Olympics the following year. So next year is going to be difficult for getting clients to that event.”
Soon after, more tragedy struck. A June 10 fire believed to have been set intentionally burned a semi-trailer at F7’s property on South Kennedy Street, followed by a second, much more damaging suspicious fire on June 23.
“We’re still not sure of the total loss yet,” Klaser said. “We’re waiting on the insurance adjuster's reports, but it’s likely to be a sizable sum.”
“All of the offices are mostly okay, except for smoke damage,” Klaser said. “The same is true for the workshop area. The paper and cardboard baling areas are extensively damaged, though, along with the balers, the forklift and the tractor. The bale storage area was completely destroyed.”
F7 officials scrambled to find an alternate location so that clients could resume work as soon as possible. However, they’d like to find a more permanent solution.
“First, we need something we can afford,” Klaser explained. “Second, we need a safe location. We’re looking for 5,000 to 10,000 square feet with some office space and a workshop area in an environmentally controlled space with some truck bays for the balers and storing the bales and equipment. Something we can fence for client security would also be nice.”
Klaser knows that those requests can come with a hefty price tag.
“The baler we really need is about $75,000, and we don’t know how much the insurance will cover,” he said. “I’m keeping my fingers crossed.”
Klaser’s son, Seth, began transitioning to his client role at F7 while in high school, and has now worked there for about 12 years.
“Hands down, his social interaction with the other clients and the staff are Seth’s favorite parts of F7,” said Klaser, who has had a leadership role with the organization for the past six years.
Cardboard comes from many local and regional businesses to F7. Those recycled materials are then picked up by an Oklahoma City company and trucked there.
“The staff has major dedication to the organization and to the clients,” Klaser said. “They’re all thrilled to be back at work for the first time since March. Paper shredding and tearing has resumed operations. Cardboard is being picked up and/or delivered. Cardboard baling will continue when we obtain a new baler.”
Income from recycling, Habilitation Training Services through DHS, grants and donations account for F7’s funding. Board members carefully allocate monies to pay staff and clients as well as paying for utilities, vehicles, equipment and maintaining work spaces. Any extra is used toward activities with the clients, like Special Olympics, bowling, Oklahoma City Dodgers games and other things in the community.
“Of course, this year, COVID-19 has put a major crimp in those activities as well,” Klaser said.
Another change impacting local recycling this year is the removal of paper and glass drop-off containers at the Central Disposal facility on 45th Street. As of July 1, the facility no longer has containers placed for residents to drop off their recycling materials, which means F7’s paper recycling efforts could play an even bigger local role for those wanting to discard large cardboard or bulk paper items that do not fit in their open, curbside bins. Curbside recycling pick-up service will continue for residents with blue bins – though, glass is not allowed in these bins – and residents can also drop-off of large trash or recycling items once a month at the Central Disposal facility with presentation of a current utility bill.
For more information on F7’s Work Activity Center, its projects, recycling capabilities or to help in some way, visit f7wac.org or call (405) 275-4223. Contributions can also be mailed to P.O. Box 3907, Shawnee, OK 74802.
Visit WWW.TCPSHAWNEE.COM to sign up for the Mobile App!
The Clinic Pharmacy Tim Barrick, DPh.
405-273-9417 3210 Kethley Road Shawnee, OK 74804 Cell: 405-740-2898 Fax: 405-273-8849 email: srprx@sbcglobal.net
THE CLINIC PHARMACY (SHAWNEE)
COVERAGE
Let Me Help You Sell Your Home. FOR THE THINGS
Dana Austin
YOU CARE FOR Realtor 405-850-6760 405-275-8182
Benchmark Realty
3601 N. Harrison Shawnee, OK 74804
COVERAGE FOR THE THINGS YOU CARE FOR COVERAGE
■ ■ Automobile insurance Homeowners insurance FOR THE THINGS Kelli James ■ Life insurance YOU CARE FOR Your Local Agent 444 W FEDERAL ST, SHAWNEE, OK 74804 KJAMES2@FARMERSAGENT.COM ■ Automobile insurance https://agents.farmers.com/kjames2 ■ Homeowners insurance Call 405.585.2944 today! ■ Life insurance Let me help you get the most value out of your insurance coverage. Kelli James Restrictions apply. Discounts may vary. Not available in all states. See your agent for details. Insurance is underwritten by Farmers Insurance Exchange and other affiliated insurance companies. Visit farmers.com for a complete listing of companies. Not all insurers are authorized to provide insurance in all states. Coverage is not available in all states. Your Local Agent Life Insurance issued by Farmers New World Life Insurance Company, 3120 139th Ave. SE, Ste. 300, Bellevue, WA 98005. 444 W FEDERAL ST, SHAWNEE, OK 74804
Restrictions apply. Discounts may vary. Not available in all states. See your agent for details. Insurance is underwritten by Farmers Insurance Exchange and other affiliated insurance companies. KJAMES2@FARMERSAGENT.COM https://agents.farmers.com/kjames2
Call 405.585.2944 today! Let me help you get the most value out of your insurance coverage. Restrictions apply. Discounts may vary. Not available in all states. See your agent for details. Insurance is underwritten by Farmers Insurance Exchange and other affiliated insurance companies. Visit farmers.com for a complete listing of companies. Not all insurers are authorized to provide insurance in all states. Coverage is not available in all states. Life Insurance issued by Farmers New World Life Insurance Company, 3120 139th Ave. SE, Ste. 300, Bellevue, WA 98005.
HELPING HANDS
Local Organizations Respond to COVID-19 Pandemic
From staff reports
Local businesses and organizations have not only found creative ways to operate while navigating the response to the coronavirus pandemic, and many have also found ways to give back and lend a helping hand to their neighbors in the community.
Here are a few some people told us about and some others who are still offering any assistance they can.
If you are part of a group or know of a group who has been working to help locally, please email editor@shawneeoutlook.com or contact us via facebook.com/shawneeoutlook.
Throughout the pandemic crisis, Emmanuel Episcopal Church has continued its daily lunch program. Hearing that patron numbers were increasing and that some supplies were becoming more difficult to obtain, United Presbyterian's Session decided to contribute to Emmanuel's efforts.
From mid-March to mid-June, UPC has contributed $9,000 to the program, through lines of credit to purchase prepared lunches from three local restaurants – The Lunch Box, The Owl Shoppe and Van's on Highland. The goal was to help both the lunch program and restaurants that were limited to carry out during the general shutdown.
OHCE
Oklahoma Home and Community Education chapters around the state responded to the call for masks as soon as the need became apparent. From mid-March through early June, OHCE groups worked together to produce 42,000 masks, including 2,500 from chapters in Pottawatomie County. These masks have gone to several medical facilities, firefighters and military personnel as well as many family and friends.
Those who would like to help OHCE’s efforts with community projects such as this and others including assisting women’s shelters, church organizations and more, contact the county OSU Extension Office at (405) 273-7683.
Gateway to Prevention and Recovery
Any community member can contact our Shawnee office at 273-1170 ext. 0 Monday-Thursday, between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m.-3p.m. and speak to a behavioral health professional free of charge.
Community Renewal
Community Renewal is providing a list of resources that it updates every weekday. Visit communityrenewal.org to find a link to its resource page.
Immanuel Baptist Church
Visit ibcshawnee.org/serve-coronavirus or call (405) 273-2105 for opportunities to serve, such as: • Signing up to deliver groceries, prescriptions, DVDs and other essentials to those in need. • Sew face masks for health care providers. Make care packages for health care providers. Providing free to-go meals from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. every Thursday at Mission Shawnee at 126 S. Center St.
Shawnee Forward
The organization is gathering and posting information for local businesses to help understand the impact of the current crisis and where they can find help. Visit shawneeforward.com.
United Way
United Way Worldwide is operating its COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund and has already helped provide resources for local organizations providing relief to families. Visit unitedway.org/recovery/covid19 for more information.
Oklahoma Blood Institute
Blood donation typically takes only about an hour, and one donation saves up to three lives. Appointments can be made by calling 1-877-340-8777 or clicking here or visiting a donor center listed below: • Ada – 1930 Stonecipher Blvd. • Central OKC – 901 N. Lincoln Blvd. • Edmond – 3409 S. Broadway, Ste 300 • North OKC – 5105 N. Portland Ave.
Please be aware of and observe all local distancing guidelines and social restrictions when deciding how to donate.
3 WINNERS will be chosen at random from correct entry forms. Each WINNER will receive a $10 GIFT CERTIFICATE for Sonic.
DIRECTIONS 1. Unscramble the 4 scrambled SHAWNEE OUTLOOK Advertisers 2. Fill out this entry form and mail to: Shawnee Outlook P.O. Box 1365 Shawnee, OK 74802 3. Winners will be announced in the next issue of the Shawnee Outlook. 4. If you are a winner, we’ll mail the gift certificate to the return address on your envelope! (Make sure you include one)
Word S rambl
TICALESLE
(NAME OF BUSINESS)
TAYGEWA
(NAME OF BUSINESS)
ARBWOAYD ULQORI
(NAME OF BUSINESS)
Owen Armstrong
HF-K-ACCIL
(NAME OF BUSINESS)
YOUR NAME:
PHONE NUMBER:
JULY WINNERS! Pat Brollier
Thomas Appicello
1817 N. Harrison | Shawnee, Oklahoma 405.214.1992
WOMEN’S CLOTHING HOME DECOR CHILDREN’S CLOTHES GIFTS • JEWELRY HOME FRAGRANCES & MORE! Fashion for sizes Newborn-3XL
Whatever school likes like for you this year, we’ve got everything you need to look your best!
NEW STORE HOURS: Mondays: By Appointment, Tuesday-Friday 10am-5:30pm and Saturday 10am-4pm
Limit one coupon per customer. Not valid with other offers. Restrictions apply. Valid and redeemable only when presented at a participating location. The UPS Store centers are independently owned and operated. © 2016 The UPS Store, Inc. Offer Expires 12/31/2018 Limit one coupon per customer. Not valid with other offers. Restrictions apply. Valid and redeemable only when presented at a participating location. The UPS Store centers are independently owned and operated. © 2016 The UPS Store, Inc.
2700 N Kickapoo 2700 N Kickapoo Shawnee, OK 74804 Hours: Mon - Fri 08:00 AM-06:30 PM Shawnee, OK 74804 (405) 585-2907 store6963@theupsstore.com Sat Sun 09:00 AM-02:30 PM Closed (405) 585-2907 theupsstorelocal.com/6963 store6963@theupsstore.com theupsstorelocal.com/6963 2700 N Kickapoo Shawnee, OK 74804 (405) 585-2907 store6963@theupsstore.com theupsstorelocal.com/6963
Hours: Mon - Fri Sat Sun
08:00 AM-06:30 PM 09:00 AM-02:30 PM Closed
Hours: Mon - Fri Sat Sun
08:00 AM-06:30 PM 09:00 AM-02:30 PM Closed
Limit one coupon per customer. Not valid with other offers. Restrictions apply. Valid and redeemable only when presented at a participating location. The UPS Store centers are independently owned and operated. © 2016 The UPS Store, Inc. Offer Expires 12/31/2018 Limit one coupon per customer. Not valid with other offers. Restrictions apply. Valid and redeemable only when presented at a participating location. The UPS Store centers are independently owned and operated. © 2016 The UPS Store, Inc. Offer Expires 12/31/2018
Protect your family. Prepare for their future.
Limit one coupon per customer. Not valid with other offers. Restrictions apply. Valid and redeemable only when presented at a participating location. The UPS Store centers are independently owned and operated. © 2016 The UPS Store, Inc. Offer Expires 12/31/2018 Limit one coupon per customer. Not valid with other offers. Restrictions apply. Valid and redeemable only when presented at a participating location. The UPS Store centers are independently owned and operated. © 2016 The UPS Store, Inc. Offer Expires 12/31/2018
Natalie Arnett, Agent Limit one coupon per customer. Not valid with other offers. Restrictions apply. Valid and redeemable only when presented at a participating location. The UPS Store centers are 700 E Independence Street independently owned and operated. © 2016 The UPS Store, Inc. Offer Expires 12/31/2018 Shawnee, OK 74804
Bus: 405-273-4644 natalie@nataliearnett.com
Limit one coupon per customer. Not valid with other offers. Restrictions apply. Valid and I can help with both. redeemable only when presented at a participating location. The UPS Store centers are independently owned and operated. © 2016 The UPS Store, Inc. Offer Expires 12/31/2018 Stop by for your free State Farm Insurance and Financial Review ® . Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. ®
CALL ME TODAY FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Shawnee Woman Risked Health, Life for State's Ratification of Women's Right to Vote
On August 18, 1920, the 19th amendment granted women the right to vote. This now century-old milestone took decades of agitation with woman suffrage supporters lecturing, writing, marching and lobbying.
The ratification took threefourths of the states to pass the issue and a Shawnee woman was credited with swinging the Oklahoma legislature to cast the state’s vote in favor. And some have said she sacrificed her life to do so.
Aloysius Larch-Miller was secretary of the Oklahoma State Suffrage Ratification committee. She was well-known for her energy and oratory abilities and was encouraged to convince Oklahoma Gov. James B.A. Robertson to call a special session of the state legislature to vote on the issue. They had adjourned without voting on the ratification and LarchMiller is reported to have said, “We shall keep up the effort to get action.”
The state’s Attorney General was scheduled to be at the county Democratic convention being held in Tecumseh to speak in opposition of calling a special session. Larch-Miller, despite experiencing a bout with the flu and a caution from her doctor, got up from her sick-bed and spoke at the event. She was able to obtain a vote of two to one for calling a special session.
Unfortunately Larch-Miller’s flu developed into pneumonia and she died two days after her speech, on February 2, 1920. She was 33 years old. She was buried in a family plot at the Calvary Catholic Cemetery, just west of town.
Twenty-six days later the Oklahoma legislature met in that special session she had campaigned for. In August Tennessee became the 36th state to pass it and the Nineteen Amendment was ratified.
This marker at the park in the 900 block of North Broadway in Shawnee memorializes the park’s namesake, Aloysius Larch-Miller, who helped fight for Oklahoma’s ratification of the now century-old 19th amendment granting women the right to vote. Photo submitted
Judge George Abernathy of Shawnee made a resolution recognizing Larch-Miller as “a martyr to woman suffrage.” Gov. Robertson ordered the state flag flown at half-mast in her honor.
Aloysius Larch-Miller was born September 27, 1886, in Tennessee, to George and Ellen Larch-Miller. She was the second born of four children. They came to Shawnee in 1903 and lived on North Broadway. Her father was a grocery merchant. After finishing school at Shawnee High School she attended the Territorial Normal School in Edmond (now University of Central Oklahoma). After graduating from there in 1908 she taught at Shawnee’s Harrison School for several years. She never married.
During World War I she worked with the American Red Cross, serving as supervisor of teaching nursing at the state normal colleges.
After her death the family and other local citizens established LarchMiller Park in her honor. The park, in the 900 block of North Broadway, contains a marker with the information about her work.
One of her brothers also died at an early age but her other brother, Burke, was involved in several business ventures in Shawnee including the skating rink on North Kickapoo which eventually became the wellknown as the Roll-A-Way Rink. He also partnered with N.W. Baptist in the Baptist Larch-Miller Hardware Store. During World War II he served in the Oklahoma legislature then was involved in real estate.
His son, Aloysius’s nephew, Burke Larch-Miller, Jr., was a POW during the war and was held for three years in the Philippines and Japan.
Her sister, Genevieve, was married to Dr. Thomas C. Sanders and they lived in the family home on North Broadway.
Like many patriots to their causes, Aloysius Larch-Miller gave her life for what she believed in. Americans should never take their right to vote lightly. Many, not just this Shawnee hero, have died earning and protecting that right.
