The Woodward News

Local News

March 15, 2009

Residents' donation was warmly received

Oney Andrews of Providence Place was touched.

A soldier who received heating pads from herself and the other residents of Providence Place had responded with a “thank you” letter.

“If they needed (the heating pads), I thought it was the best thing we could be a part of,” Andrews said of the retirement home’s gift. “I’m glad we found out about it.”

The residents, who saw a need for the heating pads, donated left over grocery and Bingo money to pay for five or six pads, which were sent to soldiers around the world through Dawn Case, Woodward County and William S. Key Correctional Center coordinator. The heating pads cost about $13 each.

The residents became aware of the need after Providence Place Activities Director Shirla Kirkendall approached them about it in September.

“A request for the heating pads came from the daughter of a man who lived here and has passed on,” Kirkendall said. “The residents donated their money for the cause.”

Two residents, Ruth McCleng and Catherine Blow, served as ambassadors receiving the thank you letter as Case read it out loud during lunch Friday to the residents of the retirement home.

In the letter, MA1 (SW) Samuel Lamont Gunnings of the U.S. Navy said he was stationed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, working as a guard conducting detainee operations when he received the pads.

“A lot of guys down here walk many hours up and down the tier or around the recreation yards,” wrote Gunnings who was from Kingfisher. “I wanted to send out my sincere thank you to those responsible for sending the heating pads to us. I know that my guards enjoy using them after a long day on their feet.

“You can probably imagine how a person’s back can be affected from prolonged standing, and these heating pads have really come in handy for those who have taken advantage of them,” Gunnings said. “I do not know your names, but I hope that this letter is able to find you in good health and spirits with the reassurance that you have made a guard’s time in GITMO that much better.”

The Providence amabssadors had a response for Case, who brought the letter from Gunnings to the residents. They presented her with a thank you statement in return.

“On behalf of the personnel, residents and workers of Providence Place, we surely want to thank you for coming here this afternoon to brings us the good news about the gifts that we sent to the dedicated young men and ladies in the service of our country,” the ambassadors said in the statement.

“Truly, they desrve our thoughtfulness and most of all, our prayers. They are putting their lives on the line for us,” they said.

Case, who had framed the letter from Gunnings, left it in the care of the residents.

This isn’t the first time residents of Providence Place have gotten involved in a project to help others.

They worked with Angel Tree at Christmas and purchased toys for needy children.

Now, they are ready to pursesue something else, Kirkendall said.

“I have the best job ever,” she said. “Not only do I work with really good people, I work for really good people.”

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