EAGLE VALLEY EXPRESS YOUTH PROJECT

There is a new youth project starting up in Watonga -- EAGLE VALLEY EXPRESS YOUTH PROJECT.  They are holding a chili dog lunch tomorrow, SATURDAY, OCT. 22, at the Dollar General parking lot from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.  PLEASE GO OUT, meet the organizers, and support their mission!!  

The focus of Phoenix Circle Foundation at this time of year is fundraising, not only for our programs but also to support projects like the Eagle Valley Express Youth Project  that wants to set up an after-school youth center.  They are not a 501(c)(3) organization yet, but you can make a tax-deductible donation to them through PCF.  Just note on the memo line of your check "EVE"; we'll send you a receipt and then write one check to EAGLE VALLEY EXPRESS YOUTH PROJECT. THANKS!!

Once again Phoenix Circle Foundation has an anonymous donor who will match donations received from 10/15 - 10/31, so your donations go further! 

  

THIS YEAR WE SPONSORED SEVERAL free ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN, INCLUDING SIDEWALK CHALK ART EVENTS, A READING PROGRAM, SCHOOL SUPPLY GIVE-AWAY, AND ART PROJECTS WITH 4H KIDS AND CHILDREN ATTENDING VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL AT A LOCAL CHURCH. WE STARTED THE BLAINE COUNTY HEALTH & HUNGER COMMUNITY GARDEN IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE OSU EXTENSION SERVICE AND INVITE FAMILIES TO COME GROW PRODUCE AND LEARN ABOUT EATING HEALTHY, WATER CONSERVATION, COMPOSTING AND RECYCLING; I EVEN GOT TO HELP THE 4H KIDS PREPARE AND SERVE A MEAL FOR THEIR PARENTS. 

 

WITHOUT LISTING HERE ALL THAT WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED WITH YOUR HELP THIS YEAR, WE HOPE YOU WILL VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGES: WATONGA ARTS CENTER; SCISSORTAIL ARTS DAY; OKLAHOMA HOUSE CONCERTS, and the PHOENIX CIRCLE FOUNDATION.

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WE'RE NOT "BRAGGING" -- WE WANT YOU TO KNOW WHAT WE ARE DOING IN OUR COMMUNITY WHEN WE ASK THAT YOU SUPPORT THESE EFFORTS BY SENDING A DONATION TO PHOENIX CIRCLE FOUNDATION, PO BOX 427, WATONGA, OK 73772. ANY AMOUNT IS HELPFUL! OUR CONTACT PHONE NUMBER IS 940-735-1065. 

OUR THANKS TO ALL WHO SUPPORT THESE EFFORTS IN OUR COMMUNITY! /Linda Barrett, Director      

 

“FROM THOSE TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN, MUCH IS EXPECTED.” - LUKE 12: 48 (PARAPHRASED)

TIME TO DIG DEEP

Oct 19 2016

In looking back over my journal I was reminded of what a busy year it has been. Phoenix Circle Foundation has accomplished much in this community with the support of those who believe in what we are trying to do and the partnerships we have been able to form with like-minded groups. 

 PCF is an Oklahoma non-profit corporation, qualified under IRC 501(c)(3) to receive tax-deductible donations. Our mission and purpose is to (1)  promote education in all areas, including health and wellness, the environment,  the arts and humanities; (2) to sponsor and promote educational, charitable, and cultural events and opportunities for the public, and specifically for children in disadvantaged areas; (3) assist local public schools and other charitable organizations by providing materials, resources and programs to further the education of our children; (4) raise funds, apply for grants, and distribute monies and resources to further our purposes and achieve our mission.

We can only do this with the help of volunteers, grants, and private donations from individuals and businesses. Both adults and children benefit from our efforts to bring these programs to our community. Arts  programs and arts education can also be effective economic development tools, bringing visitors to our area.  

We believe in working together to help others through voluntary efforts rather than through a government imposed tax or initiatives.  Without listing here all that we have accomplished with the help of our supporters, we hope you will visit our facebook pages:  Watonga Arts Center; Scissortail Arts Day; Oklahoma House Concerts; Phoenix Circle Foundation.

Our focus right now is fundraising/getting sponsorships for upcoming House Concerts and helping Eagle Valley Express Youth Program get started.  We've been able to attract so many really good and diverse musicians from all over the country.  These shows are advertised as FREE but of course nothing is really free -- we ask attendees to support the musicians with tips and urchase merchandise.  The Chaparral Retreat B&B provides lodging and meals to the musicians and Phoenix Circle Foundation provides "gas money". Check youtube to see some of the musicians we've hosted:  My Politic; Merry Ellen Kirk; Ruth Acuff; Judy Painter and Rose Kimball; Glenn Roth; Katie & Kelly Country Duo; Caroline Cotter.  If you haven't been to one of these intimate house concerts, just ask someone who has -- they are definitely a unique experience.   

 This year we held several activities for children, including sidewalk chalk art event, a reading program, school supply give-away, and art projects with 4H kids and children attending Vacation Bible School at a local church.   PCF gave a $250 scholarship to a graduating senior from Watonga High School to help her toward her education in an arts-related field. 

We started the Blaine County Health & Hunger Community Garden in partnership with the OSU Extension Service and invite families to come grow produce and learn about eating healthy, water conservation, composting and recycling.  Though the garden was started late in the year, volunteers worked hard to get several beds established, a fence erected around the garden, began laying down cardboard and woodchips in the aisles between the beds, and began a composting program.  I got to help the 4H kids prepare and serve a meal for their parents and we showed them the garden and the basics of composting kitchen scraps.  We've been harvesting tomatoes and there are still some green ones on the vines we're hoping will ripen before a freeze.  We've planted sweet potatoes, and have one (1) okra plant that is blooming.  It doesn't sound like much but we consider it a good beginning and know that next year's garden will be awesome. 

We're not "bragging" -- we want you to know what we are doing in our community when we ask that you help us continue these programs by sending a donation to PHOENIX CIRCLE FOUNDATION, PO Box 427, Watonga, OK 73772.   Any amount is helpful!   We are sending out our fundraising plea NOW in the hopes that you can make your donation before the end of the year. 

 Many of Watonga's local businesses and community leaders support other activities in our community, so please add Phoenix Circle Foundation to your list of charitable organizations to support.   Our contact phone number is 940-735-1065.  THANK YOU to all who support these efforts in our community!

Linda Barrett, Director, Phoenix Circle Foundation

“From those to whom much is given, much is expected.” - Luke 12: 48 (paraphrased)