By Conrad Dudderar
Staff Writer
“You all are doing amazing work here,” U.S. Rep. Stephanie Bice told staff members at a Yukon non-profit service ministry.
Bice, along with her constituent services representative Riley Pearce and field representative Ryan McCartney, were in Yukon to tour the Compassionate Hands’ office at 119 S 6th after attending the weekly Yukon Community Coffee.
“I’m trying to make sure that all of my staff understands the resources that are here,” said Bice, Oklahoma’s 5th District congresswoman.
“There’s just such create community support across the board here. Yukon is such a phenomenal community.”
Bice has represented Oklahoma’s 5th congressional district since 2021; Yukon is now part of her district.
She previously represented Yukon while serving two terms, from 2014-20, as the District 22 state senator.
Bice, Pearce and McCartney were welcomed April 14 by Compassionate Hands Executive Director Donna Yarbrough, office assistant Colleen Green and van driver Pat Bloodworth.
“Thank you for what you do, and for the support that you provide the Yukon community,” Bice said. “It’s so important.”
Compassionate Hands helps struggling people living in the 73099 Yukon zip code.
As a faith-based, nonprofit ministry, Compassionate Hands serves critical needs in the Yukon community by transporting seniors and residents with disabilities to medical appointments, work, the grocery store, and other personal errands.
Compassionate Hands also helps families and individuals with rent and utility assistance, keeping people in their homes.
Congresswoman Bice presented Yarbrough with a certification of recognition.
“I absolutely love what I do, and my staff is absolutely wonderful,” Yarbrough told Bice and her entourage. “This is the best job I’ve ever had in my life.
“I get choked up because we do so much for so many people.”
CARE-A-VAN SERVICE
Compassionate Hands is well known for its Care-A-Van service, which provides free rides for those who cannot pay. Donations are accepted.
“We’re very busy,” Yarbrough said of the accessible van program. “We are the public transportation in Yukon.
“Our van goes to Oklahoma City every day. Otherwise, (the riders) would have no way to get there. They can’t afford Uber, or they can’t afford MedRide. They wouldn’t have the transportation if it wasn’t for us.”
Compassionate Hands relies on grants, fundraisers and donations to operate. Great support comes from Yukon’s churches and individual contributors.
“We only have so many funds, but really, we’ve been able to service most everybody who calls in,” Yarbrough said.
Compassionate Hands started in 1994 under the auspices of the Yukon Ministerial Alliance.
“We’re going to continue growing and look forward to getting a new van,” Yarbrough said. “We have a 2017 van that we’re keeping on its last legs.”
She became director last December after several years as a volunteer and van driver.
Compassionate Hands’ Board of Directors are Alycia Barry, Amy Bowles, Woody Burpo, Homer Cobb, Lisa Everly, Jaquita Icenhower, Michael McEachern, David Murphy, and Sherry Poage.
For more information on Yukon’s Compassionate Hands, call (405) 354-9591.
