October 9 – Blessings Shared Week will soon begin raising money for the variety of ministries and projects benefiting the McAlester area.
Joey Clark, Executive Director of Shared Blessings, said they have several events throughout the week to reach as many people as possible to provide information and opportunities to people to help those in need.
Shared Blessings Week is scheduled for October 21-28 at various locations in McAlester.
Clark highlighted the open houses at Shared Blessings, Buffalo Ridge Academy, and Habitat for Humanity show the public the grassroots activities of each charity and project.
Their Buffalo Ridge Academy began the second semester of last school year as an after-school pilot program and is located in McAlester Public School’s former Jefferson Early Childhood Center at the corner of Kiowa Avenue and C Street.
“It gives some kids something to go to after school,” Clark said. Adding that not all students take an elective that keeps them engaged, such as sports or visual arts. They offer classes in technology and fine arts with the hope of growing in more areas.
According to Clark, it was successful last year and many of the same children have returned this year. This year, they currently have 14 students from grades 5 through 7. He said a student enrolls in their program based on teacher recommendations from Parker Intermediate Center or Randy Hughes Middle School. Clark said they may have as many as 20 students by the end of the year.
As for the week of activities, Shared Blessing will be here and there in McAlester. However, you will see them tailgating during fall break at the McAlester High School football game on Thursday, October 17 at Hook Eales Stadium at 1261 N. 6th St.
They will have coffee at Spaceship Earth Coffee at 345 E. Choctaw Ave. and at Harbor Mountain Coffee House at 224 S. Third St. They will have a social hour at Bierkraft at 925 E. Washington Ave., Chamber After Hours and Trivia Night both on Spaceship Earth.
There will also be two planned radio takeovers, one at Buck Wilson Frame and Body, located at 103 Oklahoma Ave. and another at Sam Wampler’s Freedom Ford, located at 720 S. George Nigh Expy.
On Tuesday, October 22, Shared Blessings hosted a Battle of the Badges event at the Buffalo Ridge Academ Open House from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, where the community could vote for their favorite team: firefighters vs. police officers. The winner will receive a trophy and banner to display during the annual Christmas parade.
On Wednesday, October 23, Chili’s Grill & Bar will be hosting an all-day giveback event with 15% of sales going back to Shared Blessings.
From Thursday through Saturday, October 24-26, Shared Blessings will have a room at the Masonic Temple Haunted House at 305 N. Second St. And on Saturday and Sunday, October 26 and 27, they will have inflatables and games at the second annual McAlester Oktoberfest at the Southeast Expo Center west of McAlester on US Hwy. 270.
Shared Blessings is also having an online auction from Monday, October 21, from 8 a.m. to Sunday, October 27, 6 p.m. Shared Blessings Week T-shirts are now also for sale.
For more information, visit www.sharedblessings.tv or contact Shared Blessings at 918-423-8624. They are located at 1558 S. Main St. Visit their Facebook page for posts with updates and news about ongoing activities.
