Literacy

Matters

December 2013
Serving the Residents and Employees of Creek County since 1989 Encourage Educate Equip

Local Business Launches Fundraising Program with CCLP

Sapulpas very own Spanish Jacks Fine Foods has partnered with Creek County Literacy Program for a winter holiday fundraiser. Do you know any cooking or grilling foodies, or don't know what to get for the guy who has it all? Spanish Jack's makes the perfect gift! shares Barbara Fuente, Vice President of Spanish Jacks Fine Foods, a Sapulpa-based business. Spanish Jacks has hand selected three items for a winter holiday fundraiser grilling and marinade sauces priced at just $10 a jar. They are the perfect stocking stuffer for everyone on your Christmas List! Between now and December 19th, Spanish Jack's will donate 50% of fundraising sales from their Winter Product Line to the Creek County Literacy Program. These three promotional products include: Cranberry Grilling Sauce & Marinade (Marinate chicken, pork or beef 1224 hours. Liberally baste meat during cooking and after removing from the grill or oven, or serve right on the table. Sweet and spicy!) Coffee or Mustard Flavor Based Barbeque Sauce (Coffee perfectly complements chicken and beef, while Mustard pairs perfectly with pork/ham. Be sure to have some extra ready for dipping!) Every jar is locally produced right here in Creek County. Logon to www.spanishjacks.com to download dozens of free recipes for these and all the Spanish Jack's products, suggests Barbara. Your family & friends will love it, adds Mark Fuente, President of Spanish Jacks, and you can feel good knowing that you've helped support literacy in our community. 17% of adults in Creek County 18 years or older do not have a high school diploma, and 4% of adults in Creek County 18 years or older do not have a 9th grade education. More than 400,000 Oklahoma adults are functionally illiterate. The Mission of the Creek County Literacy Program is to encourage, educate and equip aspiring readers to overcome the barriers of illiteracy, adds Melissa M. Struttmann, Executive Director of Creek County Literacy Program. These Spanish Jacks Products are available at the Creek County Literacy Program office, 15 North Poplar Street in Sapulpa, and can be purchased directly using cash, check or credit card (make checks payable to Creek County Literacy Program). Call 918-224-9647 or email orders ahead to dmarshall@creekcountyliteracy.org. For more information on the complete line of Spanish Jacks Fine foods, visit their website at www.spanishjacks.com. For more information on Creek County Literacy Program, contact Melissa M. Struttmann at 918-224-9647 or info@creekliteracy.org.

Free Tai Chi Program, Designed to Reduce Older Adults Risk of Falling, Begins in January at the Library Annex
The Creek County Literacy Program, in conjunction with the Creek County Health Department, is offering new class dates for their program designed to reduce older adults risk of falling. Classes will be held for 12 weeks. The starting date for the Library Annex Tai Chi Program is set for Monday, January 6th at 10am. The first class will begin with a discussion on Tai Chi, including a question and answer session. Classes will be held every Monday at 10am for one hour. Tai Chi Quan Moving for Better Balance is a free program geared towards adults 65 years of age and older. It is encouraged for anyone over 45 years of age, shared Instructor Gina Wozencraft. The purpose of the program is to improve ones balance and reduce the likelihood of falling. Studies have shown that Tai Chi improves muscular strength, balance, postural control, and reduces the older adults risk of falling by 47-55%, as well as reducing the risk of falls by Parkinsons Disease patients by 67%. The eight forms in this program are all derived from the traditional, well-known 24-form Yang style Tai Chi, which has been tailored to older adults wishing to improve balance and mobility, she explained. Research evidence shows falls among older adults in Oklahoma are on the rise, and is the leading cause of fatal and non fatal injuries in older adults. One in three adults over age 65 fall each year, and 20 to 30% of falls result in moderate to severe injuries such as bruises, hip fractures, or head traumas. In 2008, hospital studies concluded 14,830 fall-related discharges; almost 11,000 were 65 or older. Fall-related hospitalizations increased 66% from 2004 to 2008, and this number continues to rise as the baby boomers continue to age. This program is one of the scientifically tested and proven interventions that are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2008) as an effective community-based exercise program to prevent falls for older adults. Currently, the program is being piloted by several other State Health Departments in the United States, including California, New York and Oregon. The Tai Chi program is being offered free of charge at the Library Annex for Creek County residents that choose to enroll in the 12 week program. Instructor Gina Wozencraft recently completed master level training as the community instructor sponsored by the Injury Prevention Services of the Oklahoma State Department of Health, and will be looking forward to meeting with each participant to discuss the program further. Gina is employed by the Creek County Health Department also as the Certified Spanish Interpreter, PIO, and a Certified WIC Nutrition Technician. No prior sign-ups are required to attend class. For more information, please call 918-224-9647. The Library Annex is located at 15 North Poplar Street in Sapulpa.

2014 Sponsorship Opportunities Handbook Now Available

Wow!!!! Your operation is a LOT bigger than I ever imagined. You are far more comprehensive than what one might imagine at first look. I will spend some time to look over all the different opportunities that you have presented and try to decide how to assist financially. Thats what one of our partner agencies said after reviewing our Sponsorship Opportunities Handbook. Interested to see how your business or organization can partner with CCLP on the different programs and offerings we have available? Call the office and well be happy to put a copy of the 2014 Sponsorship Opportunities Handbook in the mail for you!

Sapulpa High School Choir and Santa Claus Visit CCLPs Annual Holiday Celebration
CCLPs Annual Holiday Celebration brought Learners, Tutors, Board Members and Friends together for a time to celebrate. Live music by the Sapulpa High School Jazz Choir, a hearty potluck dinner and a Santa presenting a wrapped gift for each and every child made it a very special event. More photos are on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CreekCountyLiteracyProgram.

TRC Disaster Solutions Donates CCLP Receives Grant from 20 Turkeys to CCLP Family Oklahoma Literacy Coalition
TRC Disaster Solutions has partnered with CCLP for many years. Not only does owner Felix Ontiveros have a heart for education, but he has a heart for the community. On behalf of TRC Disaster Solutions, Board Vice President Derald Buckley recently delivered 20 Turkeys to CCLP. These turkeys were distributed to Learners, Tutors and Volunteers of CCLP. They have been extremely philanthropic to the community, and this was a very generous, appreciated gift. There were 20 very happy CCLP families! shared Melissa Struttmann. The Mission of TRC is to deliver high quality property recovery, restoration and reconstruction services with integrity. TRC and its employees are dedicated to serving our customers in order to reduce business interruption resulting from a wide array of disasters and emergencies and to mitigate loss from such events. TRC is committed to maintain and utilize the most current technologies and to consistently invest in the continuing education and effectiveness of its greatest resource - its people. On December 1, Oklahoma Literacy Coalition and Tinker Federal Credit Union announced they are presenting CCLP with a grant in the amount of $1,000 to fund two iPads. This grant will make a huge impact as we continue to create a digital learning environment for our Adult Learners, said Melissa Struttmann, Executive Director. Thank you, OLC and TFCU!

Inclement Weather Policy

In the event of inclement weather, CCLP will observe the Sapulpa Public Schools Inclement Weather Policy. This information will be communicated through a notice on CCLPs Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CreekCountyLiteracyProgram.

Winter Holiday Schedule

To enable our employees, Learners and Volunteers to enjoy the holiday season with family and friends, CCLP will be closed from December 23rd through 27th. We will also be closed January 1st.

CCLPs Calendar of Events

December February 17 Board Meeting 3/10/17/24 Tai Chi Library Annex5:30pm Library Annex10am 23/24/25/26/27 Closed for Holidays January 1 New Years Day Office Closed 6/13/20/27 Tai Chi Library Annex10am 20 MLK Jr Day Office Closed 13 Adult Book Club Library Annex5:30pm 17 Presidents Day Office Closed April 4 16th Annual Creek County Spelling Bee Sapulpa High School Commons6:30pm 10 Volunteer Appreciation Banquet Library AnnexNoon

CCLP Executive Director Serving on Oklahoma Literacy Coalition Board

The Oklahoma Literacy Coalition, an Oklahoma City-based organization with a Mission to Support literacy efforts statewide, has recently asked CCLP Executive Director Melissa Struttmann to serve on their Board of Directors. We have asked Melissa to serve on the Awareness Team, which is responsible for the development and execution of a public information program which will further the public understanding of the objectives of the Oklahoma Literacy Coalition and enhance the general public image of the Coalition, shared Angela Spindle, Director of the Oklahoma Literacy Coalition. In addition, Melissa will assist in the design and implementation of a brand new project, an Oklahoma Coalition Newsletter, continued Angela. This newsletter will be distributed to 200 members quarterly. We are excited to announce our first issue will be distributed in early Spring 2014.

18 Board Meeting 15 Board Meeting Library Annex5:30pm Library Annex5:30pm March 3/10/17/24 Tai Chi Library Annex10am 17 Adult Book Club Library Annex5:30pm

May 21 Board Meeting 10 Adult Book Club 21 Adult Book Club Library Annex5:30pm Library Annex5:30pm Library Annex5:30pm 27 Adult Book Club 18 Board Meeting 20 Board Meeting Library Annex5:30pm Library Annex5:30pm Library Annex5:30pm

The Mission of the Creek County Literacy Program is to encourage, educate and equip aspiring readers to overcome the barriers of illiteracy.

How You Can Help Creek County Literacy Program

Financial contributions from individuals and organizations are vital to the ongoing work of the Creek County Literacy Program. With your help, we can continue to reach the increasing number of residents and employees of Creek County who need basic literacy services. CCLP is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Donations are tax deductible.
Here are some of the ways you can help: Financial Contributions To make a tax deductible contribution, please send your check to:

Creek County Literacy Program 15 North Poplar Street Sapulpa, OK 74066

Through Special Events CCLP hosts several special fundraisers throughout the year. We also encourage organizations and businesses to sponsor special events that benefit CCLP. These include book fairs, silent auctions, and other creative ideas.

11x17 copy paper Mailing Labels Postage Stamps File Cabinets Answering Machine Postage scale Paper Products for kitchen & bathroom Bottled Water
If you wish to donate business products or professional services, contact Melissa M. Struttmann, Executive Director at 918-2249647 or mmuncy@creekliteracy.org.

With In-Kind Products or Services We are always in need of educational and office supplies including:

Creek County Literacy Program 15 North Poplar Street Sapulpa, OK 74066

Literacy

Matters