Run for a Reason
SandRidge Energy is excited to announce our support of the 2013 Houston Marathon by sponsoring the marathon’s Run for a Reason Charity Program. Linking runners with 57 participating nonprofits, the Run for a Reason program provides an avenue for race participants, individuals and organizations to collect donations on behalf of an official charity. SandRidge has chosen to support SEARCH Homeless Services and through this exceptional program, 90 percent of our sponsorship fee will go directly to SEARCH, while the other ten percent will be used to support the race event.
The Houston Marathon, now in its 41st year, began the Run for a Reason Charity Program in 1995 in an effort to connect runners with participating nonprofits, while providing a platform for charities to raise awareness about their cause. In its 18-year history, the program has raised nearly $15 million by runners and donors.
“We were very interested in finding a way to support the great event that is the Houston Marathon,” said Randy Decker, Director of Community Relations at SandRidge. “Their Run for a Reason Program enabled us to not only support the marathon, but to have a majority of our donation go directly to an amazing organization like SEARCH. It truly is a win-win situation.”
Founded in 1989 to respond to the growing number of people experiencing homelessness in Houston, SEARCH Homeless Services works to engage, stabilize, educate, employ and house individuals and families who are homeless.
“As we reviewed the organizations available to us, SEARCH jumped out at us because of their dedication to assisting homeless individuals and families in Houston,” said Greg Dewey, Vice President, Communications and Community Relations at SandRidge. “Moreover, we are able to direct our donation through SEARCH to their House of Tiny Treasures program, an accredited early childhood education program providing instruction to homeless children while their parents attend classes and begin working. Studies have shown that if a child has not heard a million words before kindergarten, they are unlikely to graduate high school and HTT is taking action to ensure the children in their care receive the love, attention and education they need to succeed.”
SandRidge Youth Pavilion
Oklahoma City-area youth will have access to a variety of adventure activities at a new youth pavilion planned for the Boathouse District. The OKC Boathouse Foundation recently announced construction of the SandRidge Youth Pavilion in the Boathouse District on the Oklahoma River. The pavilion is designed to provide adventure activities that include a Sky Trail course, a zip line across the Oklahoma River, and an outdoor climbing wall.
“We all want to see kids being more active outdoors, and this is going to be an adventure center unlike anything else in the country. While our focus is on youth, it’s really going to appeal to people of all ages,” said OKC Boathouse Foundation Executive Director Mike Knopp. “SandRidge shares our commitment to bringing new and exciting energy to our community, and the adventure sports promise to do just that.”
“SandRidge is committed to supporting Oklahoma’s youth through a variety of community initiatives,” said Tom Ward, chairman and CEO of SandRidge Energy. “For several years, we have supported youth programs provided by the OKC Boathouse Foundation, and with this contribution, the foundation will be able to expand its youth programs and also offer exciting activities for all residents and visitors. The new facility and attractions will further enhance the Boathouse District, which has become one of the most exciting destination points in our city and state.”
The pavilion will also include space for a wide variety of youth activities. It will include rowing and paddling elements, classroom and event space, and will be a central hub for OKC RIVERSPORT youth teams, summer camps and community events. The adventure sports will also be used for team building and corporate retreats, and will be accessible via a day pass to anyone in the community. The project was first unveiled in December.
“The youth programs provided by the OKC Boathouse Foundation have grown to a point where they need a permanent home,” said Greg Dewey, SandRidge Energy vice president of communications and community relations. “With this new facility, we believe that more young people who would not usually get to participate in these types of programs will be able to experience the fun and adventure of the Boathouse District, while most importantly being exposed to positive adult role models who can inspire and mentor them.”
Change Together
“Little things make big things happen.”
– John Wooden
That is especially true when a team, or group of people, each repeatedly do the little things that make all the difference. There are times when the needs in our cities and communities seem overwhelming and we may wonder, “What can I do to make a difference?” At SandRidge, our employees believe that together we can do more and that some of life’s most difficult issues can be solved by small acts repeated over time. By pooling their change together, our employees believe they will in fact, make a lasting impact on individuals, families, organizations and communities. They will make a change, together.
Employees and visitors at the Company’s corporate and field offices have the opportunity to drop in their loose change one of the Change Together piggy banks on display. Employees also contribute the “extra cents” from their paycheck each pay period through automatic payroll deduction. Recommendations are received from throughout the company on how to distribute the funds to those in our local communities in need of assistance. A committee of SandRidge employees reviews the needs and dispenses the full amount collected to meet as many needs as possible. Since its implementation, SandRidge employees have helped numerous individuals and families in crisis with items such as groceries, medical expenses and other critical needs.
Margaret Mead made an excellent point when she said, “Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
We can make a change together.