John 3:16 Mission
Founded in 1952, John 3:16 Mission has served the homeless of the Tulsa community for nearly 70 years. The Mission has always been dedicated to the proposition that the homeless are entitled to compassionate, dignified care and no one in need is turned away, whatever their background.
Potential Volunteer Opportunities
Yearly Events
Back to School –
100 – Kdg – 4th graders who we want to make sure students have a backpack to go back to school. We would love to add some extras to the bag if we have enough for all. i.e. socks, underwear, polo shirts, school supplies, etc. We would distribute these at the end of our summer literacy program at the end of July or beginning of August.
Block Party – (September) – party for homeless in front of shelter, games, food and a message.
Clayshoot – (September) annual fundraiser for ministry
Trunk or Treat – (October)
We will be throwing this event for the community and will need lots of candy to give away! Or if folks wanted to come and decorate their car and pass out candy that would be great as well.
Thanksgiving – (November, entire month)
We could use small groups of volunteers to come and sort canned food, during the day the week before Thanksgiving.
We need small groups of volunteers (or families) to help with food drives on Saturdays in November.
In addition we could use groups of 10-15 for Tukey Distribution, the week of Thanksgiving. Please call for availability.
Christmas Sponsorships – (by Christmas)
We try to find a sponsor for every student in our recovery program to spend about $50 purchasing items off of a wish list so our students will feel connected and loved at Christmas time. For many, this will be the first and sometimes only Christmas gift they have ever received or have received in a very long time. It’s a special time to just remind our students of God’s lavish love for them.
Birthday Party – (in March)
This is an opportunity for us to throw a birthday party for our friends who may not have anyone celebrating them through out the year. We play games and give away prizes. So we could use some help in collecting prizes for these games and for larger door prizes. We could provide a list of items.
Easter Egg Hunt – (first Saturday in April) We have a family Easter Egg Hunt and would love to have help filling eggs.
Day of Beauty – (May) We have a day of beauty for our homeless ladies where they can get haircuts, mini makeovers, new clothes, new shoes, etc. Need volunteers to help with event, with donations and service activities.
Ongoing Serving Opportunities
We do have several ongoing opportunities to connect ORU students to serving. Those options are:
Drives
We are always in need of hygiene items, socks, food, school supplies for those we serve. Consider hosting a drive at your company, it is as simple as gathering socks for our homeless. This is a great opportunity for those who might not have time to serve but are still looking for ways to support the ministry.
Hygiene Items Needed: Full Size Shampoo, Conditioner, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, body lotion, body spray, deodorant.
Socks – all sizes for men, women, and children.
Food – for food pantry, protein items like peanut butter, jelly, soups, canned meats, cereal (hot and cold), vegetables, snack cakes, etc.
Back to School –
100 – Kdg – 4th graders who we want to make sure students have a backpack to go back to school. We would love to add some extras to the bag if we have enough for all. i.e. socks, underwear, polo shirts, school supplies, etc. We would distribute these at the end of our summer literacy program at the end of July or beginning of August.
Block Party – (September) – party for homeless in front of shelter, games, food and a message.
Clayshoot – (September) annual fundraiser for ministry
Trunk or Treat – (October)
We will be throwing this event for the community and will need lots of candy to give away! Or if folks wanted to come and decorate their car and pass out candy that would be great as well.
Thanksgiving – (November, entire month)
We could use small groups of volunteers to come and sort canned food, during the day the week before Thanksgiving.
We need small groups of volunteers (or families) to help with food drives on Saturdays in November.
In addition we could use groups of 10-15 for Tukey Distribution, the week of Thanksgiving. Please call for availability.
Christmas Sponsorships – (by Christmas)
We try to find a sponsor for every student in our recovery program to spend about $50 purchasing items off of a wish list so our students will feel connected and loved at Christmas time. For many, this will be the first and sometimes only Christmas gift they have ever received or have received in a very long time. It’s a special time to just remind our students of God’s lavish love for them.
Birthday Party – (in March)
This is an opportunity for us to throw a birthday party for our friends who may not have anyone celebrating them through out the year. We play games and give away prizes. So we could use some help in collecting prizes for these games and for larger door prizes. We could provide a list of items.
Easter Egg Hunt – (first Saturday in April) We have a family Easter Egg Hunt and would love to have help filling eggs.
Day of Beauty – (May) We have a day of beauty for our homeless ladies where they can get haircuts, mini makeovers, new clothes, new shoes, etc. Need volunteers to help with event, with donations and service activities.
Ongoing Serving Opportunities
We do have several ongoing opportunities to connect ORU students to serving. Those options are:
- Chapel – Each evening from 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm; if there is a group who wants to lead worship, dance, drama, etc.
- TNT – Thursday Night Together – we could use help playing, tutoring, leading Bible Studies, etc. with youth ages 5th grade – 12th grade.
- Street Light Gang – 4th Friday of every month from 6-9pm – come hang out with children and youth, playing, serving a meal, and helping with chapel services. 6 pm – 9pm
- Farm Day – Tuesday, 9 am – 11 am. Come and help with planting, weeding and harvesting corps on our 160 acre farm.
Drives
We are always in need of hygiene items, socks, food, school supplies for those we serve. Consider hosting a drive at your company, it is as simple as gathering socks for our homeless. This is a great opportunity for those who might not have time to serve but are still looking for ways to support the ministry.
Hygiene Items Needed: Full Size Shampoo, Conditioner, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, body lotion, body spray, deodorant.
Socks – all sizes for men, women, and children.
Food – for food pantry, protein items like peanut butter, jelly, soups, canned meats, cereal (hot and cold), vegetables, snack cakes, etc.
Contact info
Cindy Webster, Lead Volunteer Coordinator
918-574 8620, cwebster@john316mission.org
918-574 8620, cwebster@john316mission.org