Copyright © 2005 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved
News from the Cherokee Nation, OK
Copyright © 2005 CNO
STILWELL, OKLAHOMA – In the hills of Cherokee County, the small community of Tailholt is busy using hammers, shovels, squares and levels. They are eager to complete construction on a community building. With funding provided by the Cherokee Nation, Tailholt residents are rallying together to provide the sweat equity needed to complete the building that will serve as a gathering place for the community.
Tailholt community volunteers work together to lay the foundation for their new community center. 
"This is a strong community with strong Cherokee citizens," said Jeremy Marshall, president of Tailholt Community Organization, Inc. "The whole process of getting this community building started has brought our community together; we have all worked very hard."
Long-time Tailholt resident, Pauline Sanders, generously donated five acres of land for the center. She and other ladies from the community come out to the site every day to cook hearty food for the volunteers.
"I am glad I had a chance to provide the land and also help the community," said Pauline Sanders, Tailholt community member. "This will give all people a place to gather."
"We hope to build a playground area for the children, offer food classes, and the Cherokee language classes, along with other classes and activities for all community members," Marshall said.
"These projects let communities prioritize what they need and work together to make it happen," said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. "We’re proud of the work our citizens are doing for their own community and are happy the Cherokee Nation can contribute to the good things that are already going on here."
The Cherokee Nation awarded more than $900,000 to a total of 22 community and faith-based organizations throughout the Cherokee Nation’s 14-county jurisdictional area to implement various types of community work projects. To apply for funding, organizations had to fill out applications that clearly stated their community needs, volunteers that would be contributing to the project, total dollars needed to complete the project and how this project would benefit the community as a whole. Funded projects vary and include everything from replacing water lines, building walking trails and recreational facilities to roofing buildings.
These work projects help the communities unite and come one step closer toward building stronger Cherokee communities," said Willard Mounce, community services coordinator for community work projects.
For more information about Cherokee Nation community work projects, contact Willard Mounce, phone: 918-453-5935.
| Related Cherokee Nation contact information: |
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Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org
Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager |
Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org
Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation |