Grants supporting Guthrie community nonprofit announced at Chamber Coffee

By Darl DeVault
Special to Guthrie News Page

The more than 60 area residents gathered for the Guthrie Chamber of Commerce’s weekly coffee Wednesday morning at the nonprofit Territorial Capitol Sports Museum saw the support the Central Rural Electric Cooperative Foundation’s Operation Round Up provides the local community.

CREC board member from Guthrie Len Tontz at left displays the oversized check conveying a grant to TCSM executive director Richard Hendricks

TCSM executive director Richard Hendricks accepted an $800 donation from Guthrie resident and CREC board member Len Tontz to fund the purchase of a GoPro HERO3+ professional video camera with an extra battery and a Softbox video lighting kit.

“With this donation our museum will be able to capture more of our events in video so that we can record significant moments and share them with our many Web site visitors,” Hendricks said.

The CREC Foundation derives its funding by giving its members the option to round up their electric bill to the nearest dollar to support the foundation’s grassroots philanthropy in the area it serves, which includes parts of Noble, Garfield, Lincoln, Logan, Oklahoma, Pawnee, and Payne counties.

“Central Rural Electric Cooperative is grateful for the members who participate in Operation Roundup so the CREC Foundation can offer this opportunity to all individuals and organizations in our service area,” said Courtney Arnall, CREC communications specialist.

More local support for TCSM’s mission of preserving Oklahoma’s rich athletic heritage was showcased at the Chamber Coffee. An oversized check for $500 from Hertz was displayed to celebrate the TCSM’s support in honoring Patty Cox Roloff Aug. 8 at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

The TCSM provided a baseball museum display to help celebrate Cox Roloff’s career as the first female minor league baseball general manager with the Oklahoma City 89ERS in the 1970s. After being part of group that purchased the team in 1978, Roloff was named baseball’s “Woman of the Year” that season. She was voted American Association Executive of the Year In 1978 and 1979.

At left Dr. Mike Simpson Guthrie Schools superintendent, CREC board member from Guthrie Len Tontz and Jim Stengle with OGE Energy Corp watch the announcements offered Wednesday at the Chamber Coffee.

That evening many baseball fans and baseball insiders gathered to honor Patty Cox Roloff (formerly Cox Hampton). They recognized her career as president, general manager and owner of the ballclub. That evening she threw out the first pitch and was honored on the field.

The event was part of the Hertz Grand Slam Mission, combining youth, teamwork, and education in an initiative to provide opportunities for coaches and student‐athletes in Oklahoma City and surrounding communities, as well as serving to honor the city’s rich baseball history.

After Roloff received an award from Hertz and the Oklahoma City RedHawks at an on-field presentation, she signed autographs on the concourse near where fans could view baseball memorabilia displays on loan from the TCSM.

After being part of group that purchased the team in 1978, Roloff was named baseball’s “Woman of the Year” that season. She was voted American Association Executive of the Year In 1978 and 1979.