By Conrad Dudderar
Staff Writer
A Yukon non-profit helping ministry is looking for supporters to “play their best cards” – and other table games – at an upcoming biannual benefit.
Compassionate Hands will present its Fall Card Party from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21 at Town & Country Christian Church, 2200 S Cornwell.
The card benefit is Compassionate Hands’ most popular recurring fund-raising event.
“This is a ‘fun’ fundraiser,” Compassionate Hands Director Joanne Riley said. “Everyone is invited who loves to play games with their friends.
“Friday will be a day full of game playing, lunch provided by Chick-fil-A, door prizes for gift cards from local shops, and a 50/50 raffle.”
Compassionate Hands, 119 S 6th, has served Yukon-area residents in temporary crisis since 1994.
This volunteer-driven service agency serves Yukon as a clearing house, networking service, and referral agency to provide services and support, and to encourage positive life change.
The name “card party” is somewhat deceptive.
“It’s more than just cards,” Riley emphasized. “People come and play dominoes, mahjong and board games. Get your group together and come out for a fun day! Our goal is 50 or more players.”
Tickets are $25 each.
For those who can’t attend, Riley said being a $150 sponsor or providing door prizes are other ways the “community can participate.”
For more information or to buy tickets to the Oct. 21st Fall Card Party, call (405) 354-9591 or visit http://www.compassionatehandsyukon.org.
STILL IN DOWNTOWN YUKON
Compassionate Hands of Yukon provides rent assistance, temporary lodging, utility bills, prescriptions, and gasoline cards for clients to go to and from work and medical appointments.
The nonprofit ministry gives out personal items like diapers, baby wipes, shampoo, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and personal hygiene products to those who need it.
“We’re still located at 119 S 6th Street and we’re still serving our Yukon 73099 neighbors and those living in the Yukon school district,” Riley noted.
Compassionate Hands has an accessible “Care-A-Van” service that takes elderly and non-ambulatory residents and people with physical disabilities to doctor’s appointments, physical therapy and dialysis, the grocery store, library, senior center, and some personal errands.
“For the last quarter (July through September), we assisted 221 people with rent, utilities and miscellaneous expenses; and 45 people with personal care items,” Riley said. “We served 532 van riders with 839 trips and drove 8,786 miles.”
Compassionate Hands has been awarded a $65,226 grant to fund 85% of the cost of a 2023 Chrysler Voyager van. This will replace a high-mileage 2017 model van.
