Texoma Gives 2020

On September 10, 2020 Texoma Gives is hosting a 16-hour online giving event providing a simpler way to connect donors to the charitable cause they care most about. Texoma Gives helps bring awareness to the communities about the nonprofits operating around us and provides a way to give back to the organizations that do so much to enhance our communities and change lives.

This year, Olney has six organizations participating in Texoma Gives: House of Mercy Enterprises (H.O.M.E.), Keep Olney Beautiful (KOB), Olney Christian Community Center (most commonly known as “The Refuge”), Olney Community Library and Arts Center (OCL), Olney Education Foundation (OEF) and the Olney Senior Cub Center.

H.O.M.E., located at 1302 W. Payne St., has served the community since 2017 by helping individuals and families that are willing to change their lives for the better. They inspire residents to turn their lives around with the main goal being to ensure that when an individual walks out the doors they will depend on Christ for every aspect of their life.

“Over the last three years the House of Mercy Enterprises has served the community by helping individuals and families transition from life-related struggles such as addiction, homelessness and incarceration

to fulfilling and prosperous lives rooted in Christ,” says Angela Lockard.

While H.O.M.E. focuses on human development, KOB focuses on beautifying Olney with projects, such as the Tom Griffin Park renovations.

“Keep Olney Beautiful is a committee comprised of people from within the community, who aim to serve the community. Our goal is to make ideas for the betterment of our community come to fruition all over Olney. We consider it a privilege to live here, and we want to do everything we can to make this the best small town in America,” says KOB President, Rue Rogers.

With Olney residents taking pride in the appearance of the town, The Refuge provides a safe haven for the children of the community. The Refuge, located at 1418 W. Elm St., is a center where kids and families can come together, and they offer numerous different programs for the youth of the community including after-school tutoring, games and bible studies. This summer they helped to provide meals to children all over town during the coronavirus pandemic.

“May the grace of God, through Jesus Christ our Lord, continue to bless our community. As we enter into another year of Texoma Gives, we first of all want everyone to know we’re so thankful for those who have supported the Olney Christian Community