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$100,000 donation rejuvenates building fund |
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Monday, 16 June 2008 |
A longtime friend and former board member of LeFlore County Youth Services, Inc., in Poteau made a recent and very generous donation to the agency which will result in helping countless youth of the area in the future. LeFlore County Youth Services, Inc., opened Reed House, an emergency shelter, in 1974 in what was an older home at that time. Since that humble beginning the agency has housed 5,615 children in the facility for a total of 36,934 days of care. This breaks down to an average stay for each child of 6.58 days. The facility has served the agency well but was not designed to be an emergency shelter when built in the early 1900s. LeFlore County Youth Services, Inc. developed a building program several years ago and had acquired some $25,000 in the account until recently.
Thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Steve Holton, the account has now swelled to $125,000.
Mr. Holton served on the Board of Directors of LeFlore County Youth Services, Inc. for a number of years.
He was a treasurer for the organization and then served two terms as president.
After retiring from the board his interest in LCYS continued and he has been keenly aware of the needs of the organization.
"I have such a great admiration for Rick Couri's leadership and his total commitment to his profession. I know that a new facility has been his goal for several years," Holton stated. "Pam and I appreciate the positive difference that LCYS has made in our community and we are confident that others in the county will join us in raising the funds to build this much needed facility."
LeFlore County Youth Services, Inc., has for several years been trying to raise funds to build a new shelter and office facility together. The Holton donation will allow the agency to use the dollar amount to challenge grants and to pursue equal funding from other donors.
The agency has floor plans developed and plans to tweak those for the current needs of the agency.
“This is a dream come true for this agency,” stated Couri, Executive Director for LCYS.
LeFlore County Youth Services, Inc. is deeply appreciative of the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Holton and as good stewards of the money, the agency will progress at a much faster pace to begin the building program, Couri continued.
“The Board of Directors, staff, children and families we serve are sincerely appreciative of the Holtons and are looking forward to the building program,” Couri stated.
The Lorraine Caldwell, President of the Board of Directors, is appointing a committee to research the building project and to finalize the plans for the new facility.
Anyone interested in making donations to the LeFlore County Youth Services, Inc. building program should make them to LeFlore County Youth Services, Inc., P.O. Box 711, Poteau, Oklahoma 74953.
As a 501 c (3) not-for-profit, as established by the Internal Revenue Service, all donations are tax deductible. |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 18 June 2008 )
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