OEC, Frontline share their experiences of ‘blessing’ others this Christmas
It’s not often that you attend a local business luncheon and hear the main speakers use the word “blessing” to describe something in which they’ve been involved.
Two area entities did just that as they described to those attending the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Tuesday, January 28 at the Library Community Center.
Both Carrie Koesler and Mindy Bellack described the emotion they felt as they were involved in giving back to those less fortunate in the community.
Carrie Koesler, who is in community outreach for OEC/OEC Fiber, was one of the main speakers, as was Mindy Bellack and her staff from Frontline Family Solutions.
Koesler talked about several community activities available to youth and residents in the area from OEC. But when she began talking about the Oklahoma Round Up program, a state program for electric cooperatives where members are able to round up their utility bills. She said the program changes the lives of those it touches.
She said if you know someone who needs a blessing, they can apply.
Koesler said this is money that the members donate and is placed into a fund. Applicants send their information to OEC and it is looked over by a board, which then determines where the money should go.
She said through the program OEC has provided individuals with glasses, dentures, home ramps for access, and clothing. They’ve donated back to needy individuals.
She said the fund was up to $86,000 one month and $53,000 another month.
“When I say that change (money rounded up) changes things, I’m not joking,” Koesler said. “It is very impactful.”
Koesler invited Minister Billy Collier to come to the podium and read a note about what one family said concerning the program.
Collier read, “OEC grant changed our lives and improved all of our hope. We had been in quicksand so long without a rope to help us get out. Our kids were fully prepared for no gifts, no magic, no necessities and no miracles. OEC’s grant provided all of this and much more.
“Our four children were mesmerized by the Christmas morning magic. OEC provided us with a grant for properly fitting shoes, clothes personal products, and fun items to enjoy as a kid should. “My husband and I cried because the weight on this had been lifted by seeing their Christmas miracles. Beyond the grant, the people of OEC provided warmth, support and respect throughout the application process.”
“He read it because I cry,” Koesler said.
Koesler added that she wanted Collier to read the family’s note, not to toot the horn for OEC, but instead because she had been texted the Friday before Christmas from a family who was not going to be able to have Christmas.
She said if we can keep that from happening, then why not.
Koesler said all of the OEC employees were in Christmas mode, but they wanted to help. She mobilized the OEC board to begin the process and started texting and calling to get the application approved, the planning done, and the shopping complete.
Voice cracking and filled with emotion, she said, “I’m very proud of what we were able to do.”
Tears were also shed as Bellack took her turn addressing those attending the chamber luncheon. Bellack said Frontline Family Solutions has a Christmas for Kids program which normally has a budget of between $500 to $1,000. This year, they wanted to do something for all of the families they serve.
A grant was obtained with additional funds and Frontline Family Solutions used the money for two shopping sprees at two different Walmart locations.
Bellack said, “It brings tears to my eyes — I cried almost the whole day.”
The dollars they raised, she said, went to work to bless all of our families.
“These are families who would not have had a Christmas,” she said.
Altogether, they served 31 families. As well, an anonymous Santa Claus stood at the checkout counters and paid for some of the overages they had.
“It was a blessing to see all of the families at Walmart shopping,” she said. “Seeing their faces was priceless — seeing them glowing.”
Frontline Family Solutions update
Mindy Bellack, executive director of Frontline Family Solutions, is joined by members of her staff as they attended a Newcastle Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Tuesday, January 28 at the Newcastle Library Community Room. They talked about their Christmas for Kids program, as well as other programs in which they’ve been involved. The 2024 program served 31 families. Pictured are: Bellack, Rachel Richardson, Deidra Smith, Autumn Smith, and Lori Burton.
