ALCH Becomes
Marland Children’s Home
Marland Children’s Home
By BEVERLY BRYANT
News Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Hearings to be Scheduled
Posted on the ALCH Facebook Cause Page on February 15th, 2011:
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Make no mistake friends, we are still here caring for 44 boys and girls. As many of you know, we were supposed to be closed by now as a result of our Boards’ vote on October 24th. They had planned to close this 82 year old Home forever on this past December the 31st and hold an auction for the property.
Thankfully, at the request of over 3,000 other Legionnaires, volunteers and donors; the Attorney General for the state of Oklahoma, Drew Edmondson, intervened in November and obtained a Restraining Order against the Board which has prevented them from “taking any action that would jeopardize the ability of the Children’s Home to continue to serve its mission of providing a home and care for needy children”. Additionally, the Attorney General has filed a petition with the court to remove the current board and appoint a receiver who will then appoint a new board of directors.
Currently, that Restraining Order is still in effect and many other parties have expressed great interest in “taking over” and taking up our cause. The office of the new Attorney General, Scott Pruitt, assures us with great confidence. Meanwhile, a scheduling conference has been set for March 3rd, for the Judge, the Attorney General, our counsel and counsel for the board. It is our hope that a hearing on the pending petitions will be scheduled at this time. We will do our best to keep you posted.
While this has certainly been a very difficult time for our children, their future and the future of this Home is looking brighter by the day. Most recently, Attorney General Scott Pruitt addressed the current board in a letter that stated, “The Children’s Home must continue all normal day to day operations.” Of course, to continue to provide the same stability for these 44 boys and girls we need your help to supply their food, clothing, warm beds, education, counseling, recreational therapy, love and care that all children deserve. As always, we ask that you please consider giving and please help us spread the word that we are still doing what we have done for 8 decades.
For more information on this crisis, please feel free to contact our office or visit our volunteers’ website at www.savethelegionkids.com.
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Posted on the ALCH Facebook Cause Page on February 15th, 2011:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Make no mistake friends, we are still here caring for 44 boys and girls. As many of you know, we were supposed to be closed by now as a result of our Boards’ vote on October 24th. They had planned to close this 82 year old Home forever on this past December the 31st and hold an auction for the property.
Thankfully, at the request of over 3,000 other Legionnaires, volunteers and donors; the Attorney General for the state of Oklahoma, Drew Edmondson, intervened in November and obtained a Restraining Order against the Board which has prevented them from “taking any action that would jeopardize the ability of the Children’s Home to continue to serve its mission of providing a home and care for needy children”. Additionally, the Attorney General has filed a petition with the court to remove the current board and appoint a receiver who will then appoint a new board of directors.
Currently, that Restraining Order is still in effect and many other parties have expressed great interest in “taking over” and taking up our cause. The office of the new Attorney General, Scott Pruitt, assures us with great confidence. Meanwhile, a scheduling conference has been set for March 3rd, for the Judge, the Attorney General, our counsel and counsel for the board. It is our hope that a hearing on the pending petitions will be scheduled at this time. We will do our best to keep you posted.
While this has certainly been a very difficult time for our children, their future and the future of this Home is looking brighter by the day. Most recently, Attorney General Scott Pruitt addressed the current board in a letter that stated, “The Children’s Home must continue all normal day to day operations.” Of course, to continue to provide the same stability for these 44 boys and girls we need your help to supply their food, clothing, warm beds, education, counseling, recreational therapy, love and care that all children deserve. As always, we ask that you please consider giving and please help us spread the word that we are still doing what we have done for 8 decades.
For more information on this crisis, please feel free to contact our office or visit our volunteers’ website at www.savethelegionkids.com.
-----------------------------------
Below are links to some of the current stories about the ALCH in the news:
Daily Oklahoman
Tulsa World
News Channel 4
Quoting Bill Alexander from the Channel 4 interview:
"I want the American Legion to know that We have not forgotten what they've done here for 82 years. One decision does not erase the wonderful 82 years of service that they gave."
Friday, February 18, 2011
| Ponca City News Thursday, February 17, 2011 Children's Home Saved |
By BEVERLY BRYANT News Staff Writer The Board of Directors of the American Legion Children's Home has agreed to transfer control of the home to a new corporation under the direction of a new board of directors, the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office announced this morning. Assistant Attorney General Julie Bays received a letter from Jay Israel, the Oklahoma City attorney representing the board of the American Legion Children's Home. Local attorney John Raley, representing the "Save the Children's Home Angels" group, also received a copy of the letter and said it states the board is ready to transfer all the assets to a new corporation to be created for the purpose of operating the children's home. Bays and Raley are preparing a settlement agreement to be approved by a district judge. "We are hopeful that an agreement will be reached that will allow the American Legion Children's Home to remain open and continue its mission of serving children, which has been the goal of the Attorney General's Office throughout this process," Attorney General Scott Pruitt said today. Raley said a new corporation will be formed with a new board to accept the assets and the home will remain in full operation without interruption. "C.D. Northcutt, Sen. David Myers and I were always confident that when this case came to trial the Children's Home would win," Raley said. "Apparently the State Commander of the American Legion and his Adjutant finally arrived at the same conclusion." Raley said many people contributed to this victory. "The greatest share of credit should go to Assistant Attorney General Julie Bays who did a superb job of lawyering," Raley said. American Legion Children's Home Executive Director Bill Alexander was overjoyed by the news. "We're ecstatic that the board has sent a letter saying they are ready to transfer ownership of the assets to another nonprofit organization," he said. "That's what we asked for in October. There is still a lot of work to do, but I am confident we can get that hammered out in short order and continue doing what we have done for 83 years, and that is serving children." Alexander said "It is a great day to be a part of our children's home and our family of supporters of the Children's Home. "We thank all of the people of Ponca City who have helped us and everyone across the state and nation who have supported us through this trying period. We are just overjoyed today that we can share this good news with everybody," Alexander said. On Oct. 24, 2010, the home's board of directors voted to close the home effective Dec. 31. A temporary restraining order was signed Nov. 23 by Kay County District Judge D.W. Boyd which prevents the Board of Directors of the American Legion Children's Home, and individual directors Art Besa, David Kellerman and W.D. Wilson from: * Selling any assets currently held by the American Legion Children's Home Inc.; *Closing the American Legion Children's Home residence at 1300 Summers Place; *Requiring the Children's Home to remit to the Board of Directors any assets of the Children's Home, including, but not limited to, any funds held by the Children's Home as a charitable trust; *Dissolving the American Legion Children's Home, Inc.; *Wrongfully interfering with any of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services contracts; *Diverting any resources of funds for any activity or purpose other than necessary for the day-to-day operations of the Children's Home; *Taking any other action that would jeopardize the ability of the Children's Home to continue to serve its mission of "provid(ing) a home and care for needy children..." The petition requesting the temporary restraining order was filed Nov. 22 by Bays on behalf of then-Attorney General Drew Edmondson's office. Edmondson's office also filed a petition seeking the removal of the board of directors, invalidation of all decisions made during an allegedly illegal board meeting and the appointment of a receiver to manage the assets of the ALCH. Last week Pruitt issued a letter to the board's attorney reiterating the prohibitions included in the temporary restraining order and warning board members not to interfere with the daily operations of the home. A hearing date had been set for March 3 in Stillwater on a motion for a default judgment against the board of directors for the children's home and to make the Temporary Restraining Order permanent. |
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Hearings to be Scheduled
Make no mistake friends, we are still here caring for 44 boys and girls. As many of you know, we were supposed to be closed by now as a result of our Boards’ vote on October 24th. They had planned to close this 82 year old Home forever on this past December the 31st and hold an auction for the property.
Thankfully, at the request of over 3,000 other Legionnaires, volunteers and donors; the Attorney General for the state of Oklahoma, Drew Edmondson, intervened in November and obtained a Restraining Order against the Board which has prevented them from “taking any action that would jeopardize the ability of the Children’s Home to continue to serve its mission of providing a home and care for needy children”. Additionally, the Attorney General has filed a petition with the court to remove the current board and appoint a receiver who will then appoint a new board of directors.
Currently, that Restraining Order is still in effect and many other parties have expressed great interest in “taking over” and taking up our cause. The office of the new Attorney General, Scott Pruitt, assures us with great confidence. Meanwhile, a scheduling conference has been set for March 3rd, for the Judge, the Attorney General, our counsel and counsel for the board. It is our hope that a hearing on the pending petitions will be scheduled at this time. We will do our best to keep you posted.
While this has certainly been a very difficult time for our children, their future and the future of this Home is looking brighter by the day. Most recently, Attorney General Scott Pruitt addressed the current board in a letter that stated, “The Children’s Home must continue all normal day to day operations.” Of course, to continue to provide the same stability for these 44 boys and girls we need your help to supply their food, clothing, warm beds, education, counseling, recreational therapy, love and care that all children deserve. As always, we ask that you please consider giving and please help us spread the word that we are still doing what we have done for 8 decades.
For more information on this crisis, please feel free to contact our office or visit our volunteers’ website at http://www.savethelegionkids.com/
Thankfully, at the request of over 3,000 other Legionnaires, volunteers and donors; the Attorney General for the state of Oklahoma, Drew Edmondson, intervened in November and obtained a Restraining Order against the Board which has prevented them from “taking any action that would jeopardize the ability of the Children’s Home to continue to serve its mission of providing a home and care for needy children”. Additionally, the Attorney General has filed a petition with the court to remove the current board and appoint a receiver who will then appoint a new board of directors.
Currently, that Restraining Order is still in effect and many other parties have expressed great interest in “taking over” and taking up our cause. The office of the new Attorney General, Scott Pruitt, assures us with great confidence. Meanwhile, a scheduling conference has been set for March 3rd, for the Judge, the Attorney General, our counsel and counsel for the board. It is our hope that a hearing on the pending petitions will be scheduled at this time. We will do our best to keep you posted.
While this has certainly been a very difficult time for our children, their future and the future of this Home is looking brighter by the day. Most recently, Attorney General Scott Pruitt addressed the current board in a letter that stated, “The Children’s Home must continue all normal day to day operations.” Of course, to continue to provide the same stability for these 44 boys and girls we need your help to supply their food, clothing, warm beds, education, counseling, recreational therapy, love and care that all children deserve. As always, we ask that you please consider giving and please help us spread the word that we are still doing what we have done for 8 decades.
For more information on this crisis, please feel free to contact our office or visit our volunteers’ website at http://www.savethelegionkids.com/
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Save the Children's Home Angels
We are a group of Legionnaires, Volunteers, Donors and Alumni whose mission is dedicated to the children and legacy of the American Legion Children's Home.
The American Legion held it's annual Mid-Winter Conference this past weekend in Oklahoma City. The STCHA obtained a permit to peacefully demonstrate nearby. Our presence there was to encourage Oklahoma Legionnaires to ask for legitimate answers from their leadership.
I would like to say a huge thank you to those Legionnaires and Auxiliary members who stood up for our kids this weekend and asked the questions that needed to be posed to the members of the Oklahoma American Legion. Many of us are concerned about the well being of the children's home and of the motivation of those few who voted to close our home.
We do appreciate the media covering our peaceful demonstration.
Ponca City News
KFOR Channel 4
KOCO Channel 5 (pending web link)
KWTV Channel 9
Fox 25 (pending web link)
Thank You!
Please contact us if you would like to be on our mailing list:
or
Save the Children's Home Angels
2709 Avon Avenue
Ponca City, OK 74604
On Facebook? Join us:
Save the Children's Home Angels
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
 |
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Biltmore Hotel (I-40 & Meridian)
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Many of our thousands of supporters have expressed interest in joining us for our next peaceful demonstration. We have had many community speaking events, fund raisers and public sign displays. This time we are traveling to Oklahoma City. Please join us:
Save the Children's Home Angels
We are a group of Legionnaires,
Volunteers, Donors, and Alumni
whose mission is dedicated to the children and legacy
of the American Legion Children's Home.
let us know that you will be standing with us to raise awareness.
Many of you have expressed interest and we will be contacting you
through direct email.
through direct email.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
We have indeed been issued a Temporary Restraining Order. We still have not had our day in Court.
We thank you all for your continued support as we try to bring stability to the Children's Home.
We thank you all for your continued support as we try to bring stability to the Children's Home.
Please continue to share our cause.
Thank you to all our loving community and beyond for all of your support. Also, to those faithful Legionnaires who continue to raise questions within the American Legion organization to remind them of thier legacy
of commitment to the children of the home.
of commitment to the children of the home.
Friday, January 21, 2011
The House FM staff and volunteers and the Poncan staff worked diligently to organize the details of the event. The band members were very generous with their time and attention before, during and after their performances. I was overwhelmed by the positive energy that encompassed the entire event.
The ALCH had 40 kids in attendance. Some of our kids had the opportunity to hang out with the bands before the concert and I observed some of the band members rocking with our kids in the balcony while the other bands were performing.
Direct quotes from some of our kids:
"It was amazing . . . I loved it!"
"It rocked"
"The bands were great"
Thank you again to ALL who had a part in the event. We appreciate you so much!
***Note from Mrs. Beekman***
I am sorry I missed the concert but when I got back the excitement of the kids from the concert and to see how many people supported our causes was overwhelming. Thanks to all of you who helped with the concert, to those that gave love offering to our Angel Causes, and for your prayers and concerns in keeping the Children's Home Open. We are growing stronger each day because we know it is right to give each child the right to have a safe place they can call Home and people that love them. Thank you!
Monday, December 13, 2010
PLEASE BE ADVISED that according to Attorney General, Drew Edmondson's office, the court hearing originally scheduled for Tuesday, December 14th, has officially been POSTPONED. The new hearing date is To Be Announced and we will do our best to inform you as soon as the Judge has set and notified us of the resheduled Court Hearing.
Basically, this means that the Temporary Restraining Order will remain in effect until both parties are heard by the court. Therefore, we are to conduct "business as usual" until further notice from the Attorney General's office.
Thanks so much to all of you for your ongoing support!
Basically, this means that the Temporary Restraining Order will remain in effect until both parties are heard by the court. Therefore, we are to conduct "business as usual" until further notice from the Attorney General's office.
Thanks so much to all of you for your ongoing support!
Monday, November 29, 2010
I want to share with you a Poem by one of our girls, it says it all - Pleading to save her Home.
Positive Poem
My home is the best,
It is not like the rest,
It's where I want to be.
Its not forever,
Just until I'm 18,
82 years and too many tears
44 kids, who's bed they will take,
Where will we be?
Think of what my home has done
for all my brothers and sisters.
Just stop and think,
In 6 weeks my home will be empty
Positive Poem
My home is the best,
It is not like the rest,
It's where I want to be.
Its not forever,
Just until I'm 18,
82 years and too many tears
44 kids, who's bed they will take,
Where will we be?
Think of what my home has done
for all my brothers and sisters.
Just stop and think,
In 6 weeks my home will be empty
By Taylor
How can we sleep or feel good about our day, if we do not fight for these kids and other children just wanting a home. Save the American Legion Children's Home, I am fighting - how about you? --Diane Beekman
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Dear Friends of the American Legion Children's Home,
We are so grateful for your support! Thank you for the letters, emails and Facebook postings. Thank you for the inspired media coverage, news stories and letters to Editors. Thank you for all the red bows and signs around our community. Thank you for standing in the cold at American Legion District Meetings and decorating your cars in support of our children. Thank you for designing, writing, copying, collating, addressing and mailing hundreds of documents and fielding thousands of phone calls. Most especially we thank you for your prayers. We could not enter this season of Thanksgiving and Advent without letting you know how much we appreciate you and how much hope you have given us. We know we are not in this cause alone! We thought you would like to know the results of your many efforts:
· Children's Home Angels has garnered more than 2,300 members from all across the nation, in less than three weeks.
· Over 400 letters of support have been forwarded to the American Legion Oklahoma Department Executive Committee.
· Two law firms have stepped forward to assist us, pro bono.
· On Tuesday, November 23rd, the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office filed and Kay County Judge D.W. Boyd granted a Temporary Restraining Order on any disposition of Children's Home property or assets.
· Legionnaires and Auxiliary members from many states are expressing their concern and support to their leaders.
· Direct descendents of our original benefactor, E.W. Marland, are standing with us! They become the heirs of the ALCH property should it cease to exist as a childcare facility. They were moved by your letters and show of support and by the letters of three of our kids who wrote to them, asking them to save the only safe and loving home they have ever known. The Marland heirs wish to see the campus continue as a public charitable home for neglected and abused children.
And, here's what you can continue to do to stay in the fight,
· If you haven't seen a news account in your local paper or on your TV station, send letters to your editors with your concerns. We have fact sheets and other documents to help you craft your comments, should you wish.
· Send copies of your letters to editors to the savethechildrenshomeangels@yahoo.com.
· Expand our network by recruiting your friends and neighbors to our Facebook cause page Save the Children’s Home Angels.
· Visit our website www.savethelegionkids.com
In other words, keep those posts, emails and letters coming, folks! We appreciate you more than words can express and hope you and your family enjoy a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!
Sincerely,
Diane Beekman - Becky Davis - Amanda Doran - Tina Clonts
Children's Home Angels Founders
Monday, November 22, 2010
Here's a video of the informational meeting on Sunday and some of the latest information:
KOKH FOX 25 :: Top Stories - Rally in support of children's home
Saturday, November 20, 2010
 |
Table of Contents:
Press Release............................................ 1
Letter to Oklahoma Attorney General Edmondson .... 4
About the American Legion Children’s Home..... 6
Fact Sheet ................................................... 7
Letter from the American Legion of Oklahoma ..... 8
Letter from AL National Commander ... 9
Letter from AL National Adjutant .......... 10
Letter to Friends of ALCH ........ 11
Letters from Supporters ..... 13
View the Press Release Packet Here
As a legionnaire, Senator Myers was given some time on the agenda for the American Legion to speak about the American Legion Childrens Home. What actually happened was much different:
Thursday, November 18, 2010
As many of you know, the American Legion Children’s Home has been scheduled to close as of December 31, 2010.
The Board in OKC who have made this decision say it’s because of financial burden.
· Our home is financially stable (financials can be requested)
· 90% of our home’s budget comes from OKDHS
· Individual Am Legion Posts & Units in OK do donate to our home but provide less than 3% of last year’s budget
· None of the funding is received from the OK American Legion Headquarters.
· Local businesses, organizations, churches, and individuals sponsor our children.
The Board also claims that the children are a liability
· Our Children’s Home provides liability insurance for the Officers and Board of Directors
· Yes, there is a liability to help people. What if all organizations & churches close because of this reason? Where would we be then?
It has been said that our Home is a black-eye to our community
· What would happen if we closed all businesses, organizations, and groups who were considered “black-eyes” in our community?
· What if we kicked out all the individuals who were considered a disgrace to our community? Is that really the community you want to live in?
It is said that our children are not “model citizens” but isn’t it our responsibility to help them become that way? Isn’t that one reason why E. W. Marland opened the home in 1928? To give a place filled with love to our children who are homeless?
Please help us save our children! You may be asking what you, as an individual, can do?
· Forward this email to everyone in your address book.
· Choose a two or three day window to paralyze the state American Legion office by having multiple people call and/or email to protest the closing. (emails & phone numbers are attached to this email.)
· Contact American Legion Posts throughout Oklahoma, talking with their commanders about the closing, the timing of it, and the Board’s refusal to even grant an extension so that our children can have a Christmas and our Seniors can graduate with their class in May.
· Send a press release about the closing to every newspaper, news station and radio station.
· Christmas Party Fundraiser/Project for our children and staff’s children.
· Attend the forum for our Home on Sunday, November 21st @ 2:00pm in the Poncan Theatre. (in 1928 28,000 individuals were on hand to celebrate the opening of our Home! Please let’s pack the Poncan and close Grand Ave with thousands of concern citizens and supporters.)
· Wear a Red Ribbon (available at the Ponca City Chamber office and at the forum.)
I believe that all children deserve a home. Our home began as a home for veteran’s children but has expanded to provide for abused and deprived children, who for various reasons, have families unable to care for them or have no family at all. Where will our children go if the American Legion Board closes our home?
Please consider helping!
Tamie Barnes
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Friends of the Children's Home
The American Legion Oklahoma Department Executive Committee's refusal to enter into discussions to extend the ALCH closing deadline will have an immediate and perilous effect on biological brothers and sisters, our Native American children and some veterans. Here's how:
- Several Native American children and staff members are involved with Ponca Tribe veterans and elders in learning and pursuing their native traditions--an emotionally healing and important step in the lives of these children. At a recent Ponca Gourd Dance Society event in White Eagle honoring orphans, tribal elders, also veterans, highly praised ALCH and one of our young residents who was participating in the event. The elders and veterans (and members of the Alfred Little Standing Buffalo American Legion Post 38) discussed publicly and at length, the closing of ALCH and asked all Native American veterans to do all in their power to halt this action.
- Are you aware that without the extension a veteran who resides on the campus with his family will be left homeless at Christmastime?
- Are you aware that without the extension, three other veteran staff members will lose their jobs, also at Christmas?
- Are you aware that we have three sets of brothers and sisters who will be separated from each other at Christmas?
The Executive Committee received a non-confrontational, relatively simple idea for extending the deadline without harmful effects to the Oklahoma Department of the American Legion. What is their rush? Why would an organization dedicated to improving the lives of veterans in fact cause great harm to four of its own, not to mention the separation of biological siblings and Native American children connecting to their ethnic roots and healing, perhaps for the first time in their young but turbulent lives?
Please keep the pressure on the Oklahoma Department Executive Committee for a fair hearing!
Gary G. Davis
ALCH Mentor
Member, Ponca Gourd Dance Society
As an advocate for children and former Child Protective Services Worker, I have seen firsthand the important role of the American Legion Children's Home in the improvement of life's circumstances for children from difficult places. To me ALCH is a grand example of "no child left behind" because the ALCH allows children to reach their potential as citizens of this great nation when others may abandon and dismiss them.
