Light up the Darkness

Light Up the Darkness:
A Partnership of Yukon Churches

Bringing Light to the Darkness and Warmth in the Cold
The 2023 season of Epiphany, Jan 6 through Feb 19, is a time when we focus on the light of Jesus shining into the darkness of the world.

For a second year, several Yukon churches, including Resurrection Lutheran, are combining efforts to help local homeless and poor people this winter. The program offers tangible ways to bring light into the darkness and heat into the cold that our neighbors are experiencing this winter.

The Need is Great in Our Community
Many families struggle with paying electric bills during the winter season. Even in Oklahoma winters are cold. For a family of four, an outstanding electric bill can easily be $200 or more. The need for assistance with utility bills is great, and as always, resources are limited. It would be wonderful if we could set a goal of helping 50 families with their electric bills; that means we would need to raise $10,000. In 2022, we raised $5400This may seem overwhelming and daunting—but if we all do a little, together we can do a lot—and help meet this need in the Yukon community.

Here are Some Ways You can Participate:

Donate Money to Help Pay Utilities

Cash donations will go to help pay electric or gas bills for those in need in our community.

Point your camera at the QR Code. It will take you to our giving page. Select the amount you want to give, then click on "Regular Giving" and then select "Light Up the Darkness" from the pull-down menu.

In-kind Donations to Help Folks Keep Warm

Donate flashlights and batteries, hand warmers, hats, mittens, sock and blankets

Utility Assistance

Canadian County Salvation Army

Website: https://salvationarmyokcac.org/canadian-county/
Phone Number. 405 295-2343
Address: 1012 South Rock Island, El Reno, OK
Hours: Mon-Fri, from 8:30am-4:00pm

Salvation Army Program Requirements:
-Must be done in person
-They prefer appointments for utility assistance. Emergency food or clothes can be walk-in basis.
-Takes 30-45 minutes to apply
-The Salvation Army works with all local utility companies. The only requirement is that the person reside in Canadian County.

To submit an application for utility assistance:
-Proof of ALL monthly household income resources, such as child support, SSI, SSD, check stub, current DHS printout, any award letters of assistance, etc., if applicable.

-Proof of ALL monthly household expenses, such as lease, detailed-itemized utility bills, phone, internet, car insurance and/or payment, etc. Particularly, you need to bring a full, hard copy of the utility bill you are requesting assistance with.

-Proof of the articulated emergency (i.e. pink slip, receipt for emergency expense, medical bill, etc.)

Eligibility requirements:
-In order to receive assistance from us, you must be a Canadian County resident (unless you are requesting food and/or clothing, once in a 30-day period).

-You must have a photo ID.

-You must not have had utility assistance from us within a 12-month period.

-ALL residents of the client's household who are 18 years or older need to come in with you, and bring their photo ID.

Compassionate Hands

Compassionate Hands has a utility assistance program. You must live in 73099 zip code or in the Yukon School District.

Website: www.CompassionateHandsYukon.org
Phone Number: 405 354-9591
Address: 119 S Sixth St
Hours: Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm

To submit an application for utility assistance:
-Please bring current driver's license and social security card for the applicant.
-A driver's license or social security card for anyone else in the home
-A current utility bill
-Six weeks of pay stubs.

Compassionate Hands goes by the DHS budget.

Yukon Sharing

Yukon Sharing has a utility assistance program. You must live within the Yukon School District to apply for help, which includes the following zip codes: 73099, 73085 and 73127.

Website: www.YukonSharing.org
Phone number: 405 354-9456
Address: 4 N 6th St, Yukon, OK
Hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, 12pm-4pm

To submit an application for utility assistance:
Please bring in:
-A current driver's license
-Proof of residency
-A current utility bill.

Churches On Board So Far

Listed in alphabetical order:

Chisholm Trail Presbyterian Church
801 W Vandament Ave., Yukon, OK
Contact:Jim Crockett and Debbie Kauffman
(Leave message and will return call)
Phone: 405.354.3745
Financial Donations: Drop off at church
Drop Off Donations:

Resurrection Lutheran Church
675 W. Vandament Ave., Yukon, OK
Contact: Lori Barthelmes
Phone: 405.354.3322
www.rlcok.org
Donations of Money: Donate via PayPal on RLC website, Select "Other" and type in "Light Up the Darkness."
Drop Off Donations: 9am-noon, M-F and Sundays at 9:30am-noon

Combined Church Worship Service at the End of the Program

In late Feb or early March, members of all of the local churches who are participating in Light Up the Darkness will join together for a worship service for Epiphany. We gathered for worship, prayer and fellowship.