A two-week nomination period to gather entries began May 20,
followed by a two-week voting period open to the public on the MSO Facebook
page. The winner would be awarded one day of mobile unit services with the $600
community investment fee waived. Nine worthy groups were selected and all made
huge pleas to family, Facebook friends, and community in promoting their cause.
Glenpool pulled ahead of the pack in the last few days and
won the contest with 435 votes. More than 100 votes separated them and the
second place finisher!
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| Glenpool resident, Gina Ferman, not only nominated the winning group, but promoted it at a local community event |
“Not only does Extreme Worship and Outreach do great things
in their community with food, clothing and outreach to underserved populations,
but they are serving people from three counties,” said Gina Ferman who
nominated the group and is a member of the congregation.
The church serves approximately 130 families a month through
their food pantry connected to the Northeastern Oklahoma Food Bank, has a
clothes closet and assists with utility bills.
Ferman is a registered nurse and has work with Extreme’s
medical outreach efforts inside the Good Samaritan mobile health clinic. This
church has tried to find a way to address the dental eneds in the area for some
time. She explained that for many of the communities the church serves, this
will be their first access to dental care for a long time, some ever.
As a nurse, I know the direct tie with preventative dental
care and hygiene with overall health and disease prevention,” Ferman said. “Poor
oral health directly impacts self-esteem, performance in school, obtaining a
job and staying in the workforce. I hope this visit plans a seed in many to
encourage lifelong care of their teeth.”
During the two week voting period, the church members stayed
on top of the MSO Facebook page making sure their friends were voting. The last
two days of voting were “Black Gold Days,” an annual festival in Glenpool.
Extreme Worship and Outreach had a booth ready and waiting for passersby.
“To get people’s attention, I walked around wearing a sign
with a picture of the MobileSmiles unit, information on how to vote, toothbrushes
in my hair and asked for votes,” Ferman said. “If I had to look a little silly
to get people’s attention, I didn’t mind. I felt it was a very worthwhile cause
to be able to meet the needs of those in the area.”
Their dental day will be coordinated by church member Gayla
Seaton. She believes the “mobile” aspect
program will be the greatest benefit to the community.
“Many here don’t have transportation or ways to get to a
dentist – a lot of our food pantry clients walk here to feed their families.”
Seaton said.
MobileSmiles is scheduled to visit Extreme Worship and
Outreach August 9.
