The Tuttle Times
June 14, 2006 02:14 pm
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To the Editor:
A major Thank You and gratitude for last week’s edition with the article by Denise Jewell from CNHI News Service: “The invisible social cost of problem gambling.” The article was informative and hit directly the problems inherent in gambling.
I lived in Las Vegas for some years and worked at the county’s “Child Haven,” the place where the police brought the many abandoned and abused children from motel rooms around Vegas. I saw newborn babies with gashes in their heads, and Child Haven had to employ a van large enough for whole families of children, such as the five brothers and sisters brought in for care when left by their gambling parents who came from out of state but left without the children.
Of course, Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada don’t ever want the country to know about this dirty secret - how gambling leads to abject poverty and alcoholism (those “free” drinks), making homeless people out of senior citizens, singles and whole families. My husband and I voted for Brad Henry as Governor because he claimed he would not allow a state lottery. That claim didn’t last long after election. Now, casinos are mushrooming around Oklahoma and we are not hopeful that the same terrible results in Nevada will come as weeds to spread across Oklahoma. Frankly, Oklahoma, the odds are against you.
Patricia Black
To the Editor:
The Chickasha Elks Lodge, is sponsoring and hosting the 5th annual Jimbo Moddrell “Make Promises Happen” $1000 poker run and rally. It will take place June 9 and 10, at the Elks Lodge. You do not have to have a motorcycle to attend or to go on the poker run. Many people go in cars and pick ups.
“Make Promises Happen” is a camp for handicapped children, located on 160 acres and is like heaven to these special need children. They have fishing, boating, swimming, and many other activities for the kids.
Each child has his/her own personal counselor and this one on one relationship becomes very special indeed. All camp counselors are volunteers who donate their time to help these deserving children.
Jimbo Moddrell was a volunteer counselor at “Make Promises Happen” for several years. He loved these children dearly. Jimbo was killed in a car accident January 15, 2000, on his way to work.
We hold this rally each year in Jimbo’s honor, and, on behalf of these special children who have done nothing to deserve their plight in life.
Approximately three weeks after the rally we all journey to the “Make Promises Happen” camp to present a check from the proceeds of the rally. The first year the check was $800. Last year we were so blessed and able to donate $20,000 to this worthy cause. We are so thankful to so many caring volunteers who have made this possible.
Any handicapped child in Grady County, or surrounding counties, can attend this camp free of charge if their parents cannot afford to send them. If you know a deserving child, go to the link below, and write Jimbo Moddrell as the person who referred your camper. That’s all it takes.
http://www.centralchristiancamp.org/mph/promises.html
Please come out Friday and Saturday night, June 9 and 10, and support this wonderful cause. There will be a live band both nights and a charity auction Saturday night.
Some great items donated for the auction include electric bicycles, motorcycle accessories, authentic 8 X 10 autographed photos signed by Keith Urban, Willie Nelson and Toby Keith, and Kenny Chesney. And famous country western singer, Lori Morgan, donated a guitar with an 8X10 glossy photo of herself. Many other items will be available as well.
Gary Moddrell
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