food driveThe holidays can provide one with many enjoyable moments.  One of my favorite parts of the holiday season is watching someone’s face when they receive a gift.  It can be a gift from anyone, but I will admit that there is an additional sense of pride and satisfaction when I watch someone open a gift that I’ve chosen especially for them.  As I spread this holiday cheer among friends and family, in the back of my mind I’m always aware of those who are in need during the holidays, and perhaps have inadequate food and no gifts at all.  This is when the spirit of giving really matters most, and while we may subtly dread the endless requests for charitable donations from multiple organizations during this season, it is important to remember what the holiday season is really about, and to give where we can.

Narconon Arrowhead is a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility located in southern Oklahoma that does far more than help program participants attain sobriety in their lives.  Narconon Arrowhead also reaches out to the surrounding communities, supporting and participating in many community service activities that benefit others.  One of Narconon Arrowhead’s annual community service projects is the holiday food pantry drive, now in its seventh year.

In past years, Narconon Arrowhead’s food pantry drive has benefited local community groups like Hope House of McAlister, the Department of Human Services Child Protection Unit, McIntosh and Pittsburg County youth shelters, Eufaula’s God’s Helping Hands, Deep Fork Community Action of Eufaula, Canadian Shore’s Fire Department and much more.  Narconon Arrowhead reviews every request for help, and strives to help all in need as much as possible, limited only by the scope of the donations they receive.

Narconon Arrowhead’s goal for the 2013 food pantry drive is $2,500, as well as generous amounts of food and clothing.  They are holding weekly bake sales and have already received a $500 donation from a program graduate, putting them all the closer to their goal.  With the received donations they will create food baskets for families in need, provide gift cards and checks to community services who can benefit from them, and clothing, diapers and other supplies to families and organizations who need them.

Narconon Arrowhead is asking for everyone to help in any way they can. They accept all donations, big or small, financial, food or other.  All donations must be organized and delivered before Christmas, so they must be received by Narconon Arrowhead no later than December 10th.  Following are some ways that you can donate:

Monetary donations can be mailed in to Narconon Arrowhead, Attn: Food Pantry 2013, 69 Arrowhead Loop, Canadian, OK 74425.

Donations can also be made over the phone by calling Narconon Arrowhead at 918-339-5800.  Please ask for Danna Sue Pruett or Kelly Falcone.

Food, clothing and supply donations can be dropped off at the center, or you can call into Narconon Arrowhead to request that donations be picked up.

More about Narconon Arrowhead

Narconon Arrowhead is located in a rustic lodge on the hills above Oklahoma’s largest lake.  With room for up to two hundred program participants at any one time, Narconon Arrowhead is one of Oklahoma’s largest residential rehabilitation facilities.

Based on the drug rehabilitation research developed by L. Ron Hubbard, the Narconon program is a holistic drug rehabilitation program that helps the individual aggressively address and resolve all of the causes and effects of drug use so that they can go on to lead healthy, productive lives.

The unique Narconon program does not use any sort of substitute medications to help an individual stop drug use.  Drug withdrawal is made as comfortable as possible with vitamins and physical assists, overseen and delivered by trained and experienced staff.  Program students also participate in a sauna detox program in order to eliminate residual drug toxins from their body, and take extensive life skills courses so that they can better address situations in their lives without turning to drugs. Independent research has indicated that Narconon program graduates have a 70% success rate of remaining sober.  For more information, visit http://www.narconon.org/drug-rehab/centers/narconon-arrowhead.html or to see the full release click here.