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A roof over your head, food in your belly, clothes on your back, good health and safety. That’s something many of us are privileged to take for granted. We have resources that we are able to draw upon to provide shelter and security for ourselves and our families. Not everyone in our community are as blessed.

Thankfully, there are local organizations who step up everyday to help provide access to resources for those in need.  Two of these organizations, Mission of Hope and Stillwater Community Health Center, are working together as community partners to raise money for their missions. Their fundraiser, the 15th Annual Boots & Bandanas BBQ Dinner and Dessert Auction, will be held August 11.

Mission of Hope was founded in 1988 with the help of Mary Ruth Anderson at a time when Stillwater was experiencing great need to assist the growing homeless population. The Mission’s current site was donated by Harry and Billie Wyatt in 1992 and remodeled with the cooperation of local churches and community organizations.  The mission of this organization is to assist homeless individuals and families in becoming self-sufficient to acquire and retain permanent housing: “providing the homeless a hope for a better future.”

The Health Center was started in 1993. The original site was at a house on 8th & Duncan and then moved to 6th and Duck. In 1996 the clinic moved to the current location at the Payne County Health Department.  The mission of the Stillwater Community Health Center is to promote a healthy community by providing compassionate healthcare to the medically underserved in Payne County.  Through volunteer physicians the clinic provides doctor appointments on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.  Some of the services include: help with diabetes, thyroid problems, high blood pressure, allergies, and skin rashes. The Community Health Center also provides prescription medications, through an on-site pharmacy.  This is all accomplished through funding from the local community.   

Funds are raised for both organizations through donations and events like Boot & Bandanas. “The Annual Boots and Bandanas Fundraiser is a very fun night starting off with a delicious barbeque dinner followed by a dessert live auction,” said Community Health Center Executive Director Debbie Traugott. “We also have some specialty items to auction off which includes a one-hour horse drawn carriage ride.  This fundraiser really helps us to continue to provide our services to those in need.”  

“In addition to the meal and auction each program chooses a client to tell briefly how the organization has benefited them. It’s a great opportunity for our supporters to hear first-hand the difference they are making for the people in their own community, said Mission of Hope Program Director Jana Nelson.” 

The community partners have a goal of raising $20,000 at this year’s event.  For the clinic, this would mean expanding prescription services while proceeds designated for Mission of Hope will assist clients with meeting basic needs so that they can focus on rebuilding their lives.

The annual Boots & Bandanas BBQ Dinner and Dessert Auction is scheduled for Thursday, August 11, 2016. The event will again be held at Meditations on Country Club Road with doors opening at 6pm with a cash bar, Dinner at 7pm and the Dessert Auction immediately following. Sponsor or reserve a table for 8 for $600. Individual tickets are $65 each, so invite your friends. For more information call the Mission of Hope at 405-332-5521 or the Stillwater Community Health Center at 405-743-3171.