EDMOND — As Edmond’s population continues to grow, so does the need to help those who might find themselves suddenly dealing with unfortunate circumstances.
For 25 years, Edmond’s HOPE Center has given back and given a helping hand to those from all walks of life. For the 20th year, The Edmond Sun is proud to present the five-week Christmas Samaritan Fund Drive benefiting the social agency. In that time, Edmond residents have generously given $2.343 million to aid their neighbors in need.
This year’s goal of $150,000 will be used by the agency to help the growing number of first-time applicants to the agency for its services.
The state of the national economy continues to show tremulous signs of improvement, but many Oklahomans are just now starting to really feel the pinch of the recession. State experts are forecasting a severe budget crisis at the state Capitol, and Edmond’s senior citizens already have been the victim of lost funding for their senior nutrition program at the Edmond Senior Center. Unfortunately, we believe that is just the first of many cuts our residents will feel in 2010 for state services.
Those factors combine to lend a greater sense of urgency for the Christmas Samaritan Fund Drive this year.
Through the next five weeks, the newspaper will highlight different aspects of how the HOPE Center aids the community. It is a successful agency because many hands come together to make great things happen.
At more than 83,000 residents, this community must be prepared to weather the economic storm together. Giving a few extra dollars to the Christmas Samaritan Fund Drive is a great way to actually see your charitable donation at work. You can see it in local school children receiving needed supplies, in mothers being able to better care for their young, in the elderly getting a helping hand for their monthly utility payments and in families receiving needed fresh food to get them through the end of the month.
The HOPE Center is now offering secure online donations at its Web site, www.hopecenterof
edmond.com. All donors will be given front-page recognition by The Sun in a graphic that will be updated every Wednesday and Saturday as well as placed online with that week’s story. Some choose to remain anonymous, and that tally will be updated twice weekly as well.
If you’ve never been to the HOPE Center, go by for a visit to see for yourself what this organization offers. We believe you will be impressed, and most likely touched, by the people you encounter there. Thank you to early donors, who are recognized on today’s page A1, and thank you to all those who have donated in the past. We trust you will again help give “HOPE” in Edmond.
