Dr. Max Barrett and Marjorie Barrett were long-time residents of Watonga, and upstanding members of the community, supporting the town and the schools, participating in governmental and civic organizations, volunteering their time for the betterment of the community and its residents. We have tried to follow the example set by Dr. and Mrs. Barrett.
As most of those who read this know, we are on a board of directors of the Phoenix Circle Foundation, an Oklahoma 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of children through programs that involve wellness, arts education, charitable giving. I'm not going to list all of the activities and programs we've headed up or helped with over the past four years. We provide a public report at the end of each year. I'm certain you know someone who has benefitted from our efforts in one way or another.
Without further explanation, we are asking for your help with donations that will allow us to continue our programs here. If the community is not willing to help --i.e., "talk the talk but not walk the walk", we will not be discouraged and will continue our efforts through grants and, surprisingly, donations we've received from people who don't even live here! Those donors are people who are interested in making this a better world for our children and they should be applauded for their willingness to help.
SO, we are extending a CHALLENGE to each business and business owner, and individuals who support other "nonprofit" activities in Watonga, to make a donation to Phoenix Circle Foundation. Your money stays here and benefits our community. There are five ways you can respond:
1. Send a check, in any amount (every $1 is important) to PCF, PO Box 427,Watonga, OK 73772. You will receive a receipt for tax purposes as these donations are tax-deductible.
2. Donate through our "GOFUNDME" campaign. Log on to www.gofundme.com and search for Scissortail Creative Space. Phoenix Circle Foundation is registered as a nonprofit with GoFundMe. They take credit cards, but in the interest of full disclosure, they also keep a very small percentage of donations to cover their costs of taking credit card donations.
3. The EASIEST way to donate is through www.smile.amazon.com when you shop at Amazon online. You can go directly to that website, or from the www.amazon.com site, type in Amazon Smile in the search box and it will take you to the amazon smile program. You shop the way you always do, but there will be a box where you can choose a charitable organization to support. Five are listed, then there is a box to type in another -- in that box type in Phoenix Circle Foundation, and you can confirm that on the next page that pops up. Amazon will then make a donation -- it's not added onto your bill but is paid by Amazon. Several people we know are using this method to support us, and we thank them immensely. Since this is the "shopping" season, your purchases through Amazon can make a huge difference. If you have any questions about the smile.amazon program, give me a call (940-735-1065 or home: 623-4269 and I can walk you through the process.
4. You can attend our OKLAHOMA HOUSE CONCERTS and make a donation there + experience a unique and intimate evening of live music from musicians that come from all over the country.
5. You can do nothing -- and stop complaining that our children are running around, have few choices for educational activities to do after school, and aren't getting the well-rounded education all parents want for their kids.
THIS IS THE TIME OF YEAR FOR GIVING, so I hope you will consider these words --
"All the streets are filled with laughter and light
And the music of the season
And the merchants' windows are all bright
With the faces of the children
And the families hurrying to their homes
While the sky darkens and freezes
Will be gathering around the hearths and tables
...
Well they call him by 'the Prince of Peace'
And they call him by 'the Savior'
And they pray to him upon the seas
And in every bold endeavor
And they fill his churches with their pride and gold
While their faith in him increases
...
Well we guard our world with locks and guns
And we guard our fine possessions
And once a year when Christmas comes
We give to our relations
And perhaps we give a little to the poor
If the generosity should seize us
But if any one of us should interfere
In the business of why there are poor
They get the same as the rebel Jesus."
--lyrics by Jackson Browne
I am posting this on December 1, 2016 and hope to get responses by December 10. At that point we will have to spend money on letters and stamps to get our requests out (and I hate spending donated monies on administrative expenses!!).
We thank you for your support.
/Andy Barrett, Director
Phoenix Circle Foundation
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