Welcome to Transition House, Inc.
For the most up to date information on Transition House, Inc., click on Newsletter OnLine.
Welcome to Transition House, Inc.
For the most up to date information on Transition House, Inc., click on Newsletter OnLine.
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Thank You to Everyone
Who was a Part of Making June Bug Jam 2004 a wonderful success. Your
support of the Shows and Silent Auction helped to raise $6,555 (with a net
earning of $4,894) for the programs and services offered to adults with
mental illness of Transition House, Inc. Here's a little more on JBJ 2004: In 1996, the Transition House, Inc., Board of Directors decided they wanted to do a slightly different kind of fund raising event. One that would not only raise funds for this private non-profit agency, but also raise the agency’s visibility in the community and increase the public’s awareness of the agency’s mission – to help adults with serious mental illness transition from restrictive settings to community living. With those goals in mind, June Bug Jam, a talent competition, was born. Over the past 8 years, some incredibly talented people of all ages and life experiences, have come together to share their talent to help those in need. June Bug Jam 2004, held at the Sooner Theatre on June 19, 2004, was the biggest event ever. The Talent Competition was held at 2:00 pm and an All Star Show held at 7:30 pm with a Silent Auction being held throughout the day. Competitors in the Talent Competition were divided into a youth and adult division. In the adult division: Morgan Brown placed 1st, Tina Anderson placed 2nd, Kirk Heldreth placed 3rd, with outstanding performances by Marta Casteel and Leon Gray. In the youth division: Kelby Bradford placed 1st, Cori Cagley placed 2nd, Emily Northcutt placed 3rd, with wonderful performances by Brooke Walters and Miranda Schoech. Performers in the All Star show included drummer/vocalist Jacob Lynn, vocalists Jennifer & David Wilson-Burns, guitarist Gary Upton, vocalist Maci Wainwright, vocalist Kirk Forthman, the top 2 winners from the Youth & Adult Divisions of the Talent Show, Rap’n John (John Koons) & his Madison Elementary Bulldog friends, guitarist Greg Scott Lee, vocalist and pianist Paulina Thompson, guitarist Aaron Squirrel, vocalist Melissa Montgomery, and the Transition House, Inc., Drum Circle and the Bohemian Tribe Dancers. The Silent Auction associated with the shows included sports memorabilia from OU and OSU; trips, decorative items, and lots more. There were also drawing prizes of OU and OSU baskets. Contributions to the events came from a diverse group of individuals and businesses – all willing to support mental health consumers working towards a better life. Sponsors for the event included First American Bank, Dr. Chet & Maureen Bynum, Sooner Wireless, Nextel Authorized, Norman Regional Hospital, OG&E, Investment Centers of America, Al Mamary/The Dillard Group, Julia Irwin, MD, Susan & Dean Vassilakos, Carol Lyons/Securities America, Greg Moore/Ledbetter Insurance, Republic Bank. Like any major fund raising event, many people and businesses – too many to list - contribute a great deal of time, energy, money, and talent to make the event successful. This year’s show was done in memory of Ken Bernier, a former Board member who was a big part of the successful development of June Bug Jam over the years. The preliminary financial report on the show and auction projects a gross earning of $6,470 with a net earning of $4,809. Earnings were down from last year. The financial shortfall this year was primarily due to a lack of major sponsorship for the event. In past years, there was at least one major sponsor, and this year, the Board was unable to secure such a sponsor. Unfortunately, this came at a time when the agency really needs the additional revenue. Shortfalls in state revenue caused the agency’s Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services contract to be reduced for the past two years. Transition House, Inc., is a United Way of Norman member agency, so local support from United Way, Norman Housing Authority, Norman Regional Hospital, Norman’s Social and Voluntary Services Commission, Norman Rotary Club, plus private contributions, have helped to make up some, but not all of the deficit that was created when the agency’s state funds from the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services had to be reduced. Though revenues from the event were down, the other major outcome from June Bug Jam 2004 was the continually growing number of people who are learning more about mental illness and an effective program that helps those dealing with this illness – all while having fun and being entertained. Everyone at Transition House, Inc., is extremely grateful to the many who have been a part of June Bug Jam 2004 and we look forward to next year’s show.
For more details on the shows, click on the icons at the top of the page. For more information, contact Bonnie Dunn at 360-7926 or e-mail thouse@telepath.com.
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