Published: July 23, 2008 12:24 pm            

Flea market lays a golden egg for veterans

For their first fundraiser, this new non-profit organization set up shop at the Golden Goose Flea Market.

The OK Supports Families of American Armed Forces, Inc. came to the flea market July 19-20 with door prizes, a dunk tank, a hot dog eating contest, a moonbounce and the opportunity to help the families of veterans in Oklahoma and soon throughout the nation. The group raised $438 overall from the day.

“This charity really is a good thing because it helps the families,” said Gary Gleson, event coordinator and vendor at the market.

The OK Families of American Armed Forces, Inc. assists families of veterans financially. The organization also helps veterans and their families find other existing organizations that can provide services for them.

“We want to help families,” simply stated Frances Taylor, founder of the non-profit. A former servicewoman herself, Taylor said she knows that the transition back to the United States can be a difficult one. She wished she had more people reaching out to her during her transitional period. This Midwest City resident served the country in 1980 through 1987 as a 63 Hotel Track Wheel Mechanic. She became involved with the flea market because she is a former vendor.

Taylor is collecting money just through donations. She has set up cans at various businesses around town to allow customers to donate their change.

“Right now, not that many companies out there will do this because they don’t know us,” said Taylor.

Taylor is most proud of the all-volunteer status of the organization. She stressed that all money raised goes straight to families. There are no salaries to pay for those heading the organization.

Gleson said he decided to launch the fundraiser after he realized Taylor was not getting the response she needed from the cans she had set out. He has a can setting on the counter of his booth, the Two Brothers Knife Shop, for the past three months. He teamed with Taylor and got the other vendors on board to help support her cause.

Gleson mentioned that he was also hoping that an event like this would help people realize that the flea market, which had been closed for several years reopened a year and a half ago.

“We have people in Norman that know we’re here and people in Purcell, but people two blocks away don’t know we’re here,” he said.

For more information about the non-profit or to make donations, call Frances Taylor at 455-1497. For information about The Golden Goose Flea Market, call Jay Smither at 820-3895. The market is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

        

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