The Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits (OKCNP) will host the 2021 Oklahoma Nonprofit Excellence (ONE) Awards on April 24, 2021, in Tulsa, with limited attendance. The event will be livestreamed on OKCNP’s website as well. Leading up to the event, OKCNP is celebrating the 21 Oklahoma nonprofit finalists in seven categories. YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City Military Welcome Center (Welcome Center) is a finalist in the Transformation category.

“To be recognized for a program that we are so passionate about is a true joy,” said Kelly Kay, president and CEO, YMCA. “We hope this will shine more light on the YMCA Military Welcome Center so that we can impact even more members of the military and their families.”

Founded in 1889, the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City serves 31,350 people every year. For the last 13 years they have been serving military personnel and their families from Central Oklahoma through the Military Welcome Center at Will Rogers Airport.

Their services include transportation to basic training, home from a long deployment, or those who are passing through Oklahoma City. Those who visit the Welcome Center receive free meals, access to Wi-Fi and computers.

The Welcome Center also allows for personnel to connect with other service members to share their experience. In addition, the Welcome Center offers a quiet place away for those who might be triggered by the sounds and activity of the airport.

“The Welcome Center provides a valuable service to the men and women who serve our country,” said Mark Kraneburg, airports director, Will Rogers Airport. “Many of the volunteers have years of experience and all volunteers are passionate about serving those who protect our nation. I’m glad we’ve been able to provide space large enough to offer a comfortable area and improve the travel experience for members of the military, so they can relax and enjoy a variety of refreshments.”

The Welcome Center works with Ft. Sill to ensure the space is staffed with volunteers for arriving soldiers. Veterans often volunteer to become guides. They become friends to those passing through while providing a friendly welcoming face.

“Volunteering at the Welcome Center is a way of giving back to the community and the US Army,” said Jim Osborn, veteran, U.S. Army. “I am a prior service member and appreciate the opportunity to help recruits and serve a need for St. Still. When I enlisted in the Army we did not have anyone helping the transition from civilian to soldier. I believe we are providing a service to the recruits by giving them some idea of what to expect and taking some of the fear of the unknown out of the mix. I enjoy working with the young people and sharing my experiences with them from when I was in the military.”

To learn more about YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City Military Welcome Center visit their website: https://ymcaokc.org/community/military-welcome-center/.

The ONE Awards is dedicated to honoring the outstanding work of Oklahoma nonprofits statewide. The ONE Awards also serves as the primary fundraising event for OKCNP. Proceeds from the ONE Awards enable OKCNP to serve communities throughout Oklahoma.

To learn more about the OKCNP ONE Awards or to watch the event, visit: https://www.okcnp.org/page/one-awards.