Carol Modisette
Carol's extensive background and professional journey led her to the EOCRC upon retirement. With over four decades of experience at the OU Health Sciences Center, she dedicated herself to roles within OU Development, the OU Foundation, and the OU College of Medicine Alumni Association. Throughout her tenure, spanning more than 30 years, she served as the director of alumni and annual programs for over 15 years.
Among her notable achievements was the establishment of the Robert Bird Society, which facilitated the endowment of the Robert Bird Library on campus in the early 1990s. Additionally, Carol spearheaded the inaugural Alumni Day on campus in collaboration with the Oklahoma State Medical Association. For three decades, she organized and directed "The Evening of Excellence," an annual event that honored individuals and organizations while raising seed grant funds for junior basic science researchers.
Carol's dedication extended beyond professional realms as she nurtured relationships with medical students, actively engaging in their activities and fostering connections for future generations of alumni. In her hometown of Choctaw, she remained involved in various organizations and served as the past president of the Choctaw Nicoma Park Public Schools Foundation.
Rick Sowell
Senior Pastor of Choctaw Road Baptist Church
Rick Sowell's journey to faith began in Clarksville, TN, but it wasn't until age 18 that he fully embraced Christianity through the ministry of David Busby at Park Avenue Baptist Church in Nashville, TN. After a brief career in engineering, Rick answered God's call to ministry, serving since 1990 at churches like Eastman Baptist Church, First Baptist Church Heavener, OK, and CRBC. His life took a turn after the sudden loss of his first wife, Debbie, in 2005, but he found love again with Stephanie in 2008. Together, they've blended their families and are fondly known as "The Brady Bunch," raising six children. Rick enjoys outdoor activities and is passionate about seeing lives transformed through God's Word. He believes in the bright future of the EOCRC and cherishes his role there.
Cathy Jeffress
Cathy, a retired human resources professional with over 30 years of experience, found her passion for community service through organizing and bringing joy to others. Starting with the EOCRC's Summer Brown Bag Program in 2019, she now serves as the board secretary, actively participates in the food pantry, and supports the Meals on Wheels program at her church.
With a Master's degree in Organizational Development and expertise in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Cathy's background in HR at The Boeing Company has equipped her with valuable skills. Her commitment extends to serving on the Administration Council at Choctaw United Methodist Church, demonstrating her dedication to both professional excellence and community involvement. As the EOCRC board secretary, Cathy ensures smooth operations, contributing to the organization's mission of compassionate service.
Ann Belflower
Ann's journey to joining the board of the Center was sparked by witnessing the unwavering passion and visionary drive of the organization. With a steadfast commitment to collaborating with local churches and community entities, the Center aimed to uplift the underprivileged within the Choctaw community. Having called Choctaw home for 42 years and establishing a CPA practice in Eastern Oklahoma County for three decades, Ann's deep-rooted connection to the area and her extensive experience made her an ideal candidate for the role of Treasurer.
With over a decade of expertise in church bookkeeping under her belt, Ann brought a wealth of knowledge and a shared vision for the Center's mission. She found immense fulfillment in witnessing the tangible impact of the Center's ministry on the lives of both donors and recipients. For Ann, there's nothing more inspiring than observing individuals generously giving their time, resources, and compassion to support those in need, reflecting their love for the Lord.
"It is such a blessing to be able to utilize my skills and experiences to serve the Lord alongside these remarkable individuals," Ann remarked, highlighting the joy she finds in contributing to the Center's transformative work within the community.
ABOUT THE EASTERN OKLAHOMA COUNTY RESOURCE CENTER
It’s amazing how many children in Eastern Oklahoma County go hungry each day and how many hard-working families in our community struggle to provide basic necessities. In early 2014 a small group of people met to discuss ways to help solve this local, humanitarian need. From that first meeting, the Eastern Oklahoma County Resource Center (EOCRC), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, was born, 10 years later we’re still at it, focusing on meeting the community’s needs. In early 2023, the reality of a building to call home became a reality. This has all been achievable only with community-wide support and with tax-deductible charitable gifts.
EOCRC’s Vision is to provide a true resource center for those families in Eastern Oklahoma County that are in greatest need: a place that provides food, personal items, financial counseling, employment assistance, and access to other community resources...throughout the year! It is our plan to partner with businesses, local civic organizations and churches to make this a true community project. Bringing eastern Oklahoma county together to operate the Resource Center thereby consolidating many food rooms and pantries and having one central location for those in need to receive services.
EOCRC’s Mission is to minister to the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of those hurting across Eastern Oklahoma County by feeding the hungry while eliminating its causes. Additionally, we strive to serve the needy by providing resources and loving the lonely by sharing Jesus.
Making a Difference …Our impact speaks for itself, as hunger persists without respite. Over the course of the past ten years, EOCRC has distributed nearly 14,000 pounds of food alongside over $30,000 in gifts and essential items each Christmas. Each summer we have served over 4,000 meals to at-risk children and the summer of 2023 that number rose to over 5,400 served.
Beyond addressing immediate needs, EOCRC has also been committed to supporting local schools. Each year, we supply school essentials to more than 4,000 students across 26 school sites.