Tinker Officers' Spouses' Club adds new scholarship category

Published Jan. 31, 2008
By Danielle Gregory
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE --
The Tinker Officers' Spouses' Club is currently accepting scholarship applications for high school seniors and spouses who are dependents of U.S. military members of all ranks and high school seniors who are dependents of Department of Defense civil service employees at Tinker Air Force Base. High School senior applicants must be graduating from a high school in the greater Oklahoma City area. Both high school and spouse applicants must plan to be full-time students at an accredited college or university for the 2008-2009 academic year.
   A majority of the scholarship funding is provided by the Tinker Thrift Shop and approximately ten percent is funded off of other small fundraisers.
   A new addition has been added to the scholarship program, which is the civilian scholarship. TOSC Treasurer, Karla Bickley said, "This scholarship was recently added. We feel that civilians' play a huge part in Tinker, and have a big impact on the base, so we thought we should recognize those children."
   The amount given every year usually exceeds the $10,000 mark depending on how much business the store has done and how well other fundraisers have gone. Because of the fluctuating amount the number of recipients is always different. Last year the group awarded $13,000 in scholarships, in addition another $2,500 was awarded through OSC by USPA/IRA (a group that participates every year). The TOSC has been awarding scholarships for several years and have given away approximately $ 125,000 in the last ten years.
   Ms. Bickley also mentioned, "Along with the scholarships we provide and what USPA/IRA adds to, this year Tinker Credit Union is adding another $1,000."
If you would like to help contribute to this scholarship program and many other programs the TOSC help sponsor stop by the TOSC Thrift Shop.
   The TOSC Thrift Shop is open for business from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays; consignments are taken until 12:30 p.m. The Thrift Shop is located in Bldg. 6002, at the corner of Arnold and McNarney, in the same building as the Auto Hobby Shop. Shoppers are encouraged to park in the large lot adjacent to the Gerrity Fitness Center, and enter through the double glass doors facing Arnold Avenue.
   All personnel with access to the base may shop for bargains. Consignors must be military ID card holders (active, retired, Guard or Reserve). Consignors receive eighty percent of the sale price for consigned items. Household items and furnishings may be consigned year-round. All items must be clean and in good repair.
   Out-of-season clothing and décor items are not accepted for consignment. Donations of usable items in good condition are always welcome. All proceeds are returned to the Tinker community through the Tinker Officers' Spouses' Club Welfare Fund. Those making donations can also receive a tax receipt for donations.
   Applications are available at the Tinker Club, the Tinker Thrift Shop, the Tinker Family Support Center, the Tinker Base Education Office, the Tinker Library, 552 ACW Command Section, 72 ABW Command Section, the OC-ALC Command Section, and online at http://www.orgsites.com/ok/tinkerosc.
   Additionally, high school senior applications are available at local area high schools, the First Command office in Midwest City, and Tinker Federal Credit Union branch locations in the Oklahoma City area.
   For more information, call Amy Cote, scholarship committee chairperson at 259-9086 or amy.cote@hotmail.com
   All completed scholarship applications must be postmarked or hand delivered no later than 5 p.m. March 14, 2008 to the address found on the application. The awards ceremony will be held at the annual luncheon on May 14.