Volunteers are needed to participate in a fund raising (bellringing) project which will assist a ministry to homeless and others who are going through tough times.
The Mission House, located at 300 St. 7th St., in Clinton, has operated for more than 38 years, providing housing, counseling, religious services, food for the homeless, as well as the needy in the community. They have averaged more than 2,000 in-shelter meals and 40 baskets per month.
Annually, Weatherford churches, civic clubs, the police department and interested individuals give an hour of their time to ring a bell at the entrances at the local Wal-Mart stores.
The urgent need is for people to man the stations for an hour between 4-8 p.m. The project begins November 27 and concludes December 24. The stations are open every day except Wednesday and Sunday. The donations both in Weatherford and Clinton provide about 40 percent of the funds needed to provide the services at The Mission House in Clinton.
Volunteers are particularly needed this year because of the COVID-19 concerns. Those wishing to donate can make checks payable to The Mission house and place it in the red bucket. But the major concern is for people to volunteer to ring the bell.
It is the only facility of its kind between Amarillo, Texas, and Oklahoma City. The Mission House not only serves Clinton, but also Weatherford, Thomas, Putnam, Elk City, Cordell, Corn and Bessie, plus the city and county jails. The needs have expanded due to the economic downturn while the availability of resources has diminished.
Meals are served at the mission three times a day. Those staying at the mission are required to be employed or looking for work unless there is a physical or mental reason that they cannot. If not for the facility many of those living there would be on the streets and people would have to be dealing with them individually.
To be able to live at the mission they are required to attend Wednesday night Bible Studies and Sunday Morning services. The big fund-raiser for the year is its’ bell-ringing buckets between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Beginning November 27 and concluding noon December 24, volunteers will ring an hour each from 4-8 p.m.
Shoppers in Weatherford annually give $10,000-$11,000 to the Mission House. Volunteers will be ringing the bell outside the two doors on each day except Wednesday and Sunday. The hours will be 4-8 p.m.
Candy canes are given to the children and the people are given the opportunity to donate voluntarily. Those participating in the bell-ringing are largely from churches, civic clubs and the Police department, but anyone is welcome help in this project.
Volunteers can call Jim Morrison, (580) 772-2311 or email Jhm82@outlook.com or check with their local church.