Nutrition volunteers help with more than just meals

By Cathy Spaulding
Phoenix Staff Writer

September 26, 2008 09:48 pm

— Editor’s note: One in a series of stories of volunteer opportunities in the Muskogee area.


Margaret Stewart cited one motivation that kept her helping out at a Muskogee Community Action nutrition site for the past six years.
“I enjoy helping people,” she said, after signing in lunchtime clients at Honor Heights Tower on Wednesday. “A lot of these people worked over years and years and contributed to society in general, and I’m trying to give them a little comfort in knowing I’m there for them.”
Muskogee Community Action Foundation is looking for other volunteers willing to be there for clients at their nutrition sites. The agency also needs volunteers for other tasks as well.
“We couldn’t make it without them,” said Vickie Tackett, manager of the Honor Heights Tower nutrition site, 220 N. 40th St.
She said AARP members and Department of Human Services employees are among those who help out at the site, but more volunteers are welcome.
The nutrition program offers transportation, nutrition and other services for the elderly and the physically challenged throughout Muskogee County.
The foundation operates seven nutrition sites in Muskogee, McIntosh, Wagoner and Okmulgee counties. Muskogee County has sites in Boynton, Haskell, Fort Gibson and Webbers Falls as well as Honor Heights Tower, Fair Haven Apartments and Douglas Community Center, said Erma Sallie, outreach coordinator for Muskogee County Community Action’s nutrition program. The agency also delivers meals to homebound clients, but is not the same as Meals on Wheels, she said.
Sallie said the nutrition program can use all sorts of volunteers.
“Volunteers come here to help with cooking meals, preparing meals, getting them out and cleaning up,” she said.
The Muskogee County Community Action Foundation receives funding from the Lake Area United Way.

Volunteer opportunities
• Muskogee County Community Action, 1313 N. Main St., Erma Sallie, nutrition program outreach coordinator; Crystal Cotner, project director, 683-7637.
• Muskogee County Democratic Party, Barbara Staggs chairman, 869-8919.
• Muskogee County Republican Party, Jerry Huffer Chairman, 616-1747.
• Muskogee Regional Medical Center, Vicki Cormier, 684-2460.
• Boy Scouts of America, Richard Goforth, Neosho District Director, 207-7971.
• Court Appointed Special Advocates, 686-8199, casaforchildren@sbcglobal.net
• Muskogee Nursing Center, 682-9232.
• Magnolia Gardens, 683-8388.
• Grace Living Center, 683-2914.
• Eastgate Village Healthcare Center, 682-3191.
• Promoting Animal Welfare Society, PAWS, Dorothy Farmer, 686-7297.
• Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center, Greg Sorensen, 577-3621.
• Muskogee Regional Medical Center, Vicki Cormier, 684-2460.
• American Red Cross, 682-1366.
• RSVP (ages 55 and older), 683-1578.
• American Red Cross, 682-1366.
• Meals on Wheels, any of the following numbers: Geneva Doyal, 687-1119; Bethany Presbyterian Church, 682-8683; Grace Episcopal Church, 687-5416; St. Paul United Methodist Church, 687-7571.
• Muskogee Public Library, Friends of the Library and adult literacy tutoring, 682-6657.
• Muskogee Public Schools Mentoring Program, Paula Deen, 684-3700.
• Muskogee Garden Club, Martha Stoodley, 683-2373.
• Muskogee Farmers’ Market program with Gospel Rescue Mission to grow things for low-income people, Doug Walton: 686-6939.
• The Salvation Army needs people all year: 682-3384.
• Ark of Faith, 401 E. Broadway, Sally Weiesnbach, 682-8411.
• Boys and Girls Club Teen Center, 322 Callahan St. Help lead dance classes, sports programs, music classes, art classes. Background check needed. Contact: Ken Henshaw, 684-6345.
• SolAmor Hospice, Beth Kile, 686-6899.
• Disabled American Veterans. Help take veterans from home to and from Veterans Administration facilities including Jack C. Montgomery Medical Center, 1011 Honor Heights Drive, and Childers Outpatient Clinic, 9322 E. 41st Street, Tulsa. Volunteers must have a valid driver’s license, pass a brief physical examination and have background check. Contact Jennifer Poston, 577-3737 or jennifer.poston@va.gov.

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