103,000 meals were prepared by the Homeless Alliance's kitchen crew last year. With a job this important, it is understandable how a broken walk-in fridge condenser would be a nightmare! With a goal to raise $30,000, the Fix Our Fridge campaign launched in July and OKCMAR's The Way Home matched donations up to $10,000.

Not only is the fridge now back to keeping supplies cool, the Homeless Alliance was also able to invest in other necessary maintenance, such as the suspension on the truck used to pick up food and water donations!

OKCMAR is proud to have been a part of this community effort!

“The next time you or a client cleans out the garage, holds a yard sale, redecorates the house, or is on the move, please give the Salvation Army ARC a call. Those donations are a blessing in action," said Sgt. Robert McFarland, Director of the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center.

If one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, The Salvation Army ARC in Oklahoma City hopes OKCMAR will join the treasure hunt. “Oklahoma is no stranger to disasters,” said McFarland. “Whether it’s deadly tornadoes, wildfires, or deliberate attacks of terror, Oklahomans have suffered through unspeakable tragedies together. Each time, The Salvation Army is on the front lines. What many people may not know is that for more than 100 years, it has operated rehabilitation facilities across the country that provide help and hope to individuals with a variety of problems, including issues relating to substance abuse.”

The ARC’s charitable residential programs offer spiritual, emotional, and social assistance in an environment designed to help participants learn to live healthy, fulfilling, sober lives. These efforts are made possible by people donating items to The Salvation Army ARC Thrift Stores, located in Edmond and Norman. The Salvation Army does not solicit government funding for the centers.

The organization is asking OKCMAR members to help spread the word - it’s a win-win. “All you have to do is have your clients give us a call,” said McFarland. “They can pack what they plan to take to their next home, and we will send a truck to pick up the rest. We encourage everyone in Oklahoma to give us a call when deciding what to do with their unwanted clothing, household items, furniture, toys -- anything used that we could sell in our thrift stores. The money we raise stays in our community so we can minister to those in need and help rebuild their lives."

On August 27th, Oklahoma City voters will be asked to approve a 3.75% increase in the hotel-motel tax. This increase will put Oklahoma City in line with many of our peer cities.

If passed, the increase in revenue will be spent as follows:

· 75% to tourism promotion, direct funding to promote and/or foster the convention and/or tourism (visitor) development of the City

· 13.3% to event sponsorships related to visitor / tourist events

· 6.7% to OKC Fairgrounds for improvements

· 5% to OKC Convention Center for improvements

The additional funds available for tourism promotion is expected to increase the number of visitors to Oklahoma City and to increase the economic impact of tourism in Oklahoma City.

Impact of tourism A recent report released by Visit OKC shows that tourism generated $4.5 billion from 24.1 million visitors in 2023. This total economic impact generated $358 million in state and local tax revenues in 2023. In other words, tax generated from visitors amounts to $1,325 locals do not pay in taxes each year. These taxes are in turn used to fund city services like police, fire, and street improvements.

Who is eligible to vote? All Oklahoma City voters with a current and valid voter registration are eligible to vote in the election. Visit the Oklahoma State Election Board website’s absentee voting page to request a ballot online or download a request form.

See the ordinance

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