Paul M. Milburn was honored Tuesday night with the 2009 Don Bodard Friend of Youth Award during The Salvation Army’s annual dinner.
The annual banquet recognizes a Friend of Youth and also serves as fundraiser for the Salvation Army’s Boys and Girls Club, an after-school program.
Before he received the honor, a short video made by the digital photography class of the Boys and Girls Club was shown, where the children honored Milburn’s accomplishments in a video format.
Afterwards, a humbled Milburn received a standing ovation and accepted the honoring, saying “Thank you for this special award.”
Milburn who has served on the Salvation Army board for 42 years, has dedicated himself to many causes, but especially to children. The Don Bodard Friend of Youth award, named for the late Don Bodard who himself had a commitment to youth, honors leaders who do the same.
David Gardner, director of the Boys and Girls Club, spoke about Milburn and his accomplishments and work in serving others. He read aloud a summary written by Ann Milburn about her husband, which said he’s been involved with youth almost his entire adult life, first working as a school bus driver and playground supervisor at Stillwater Schools.
After earning his bachelors and masters degrees from Oklahoma State University, he entered the U.S. Air Force and spend three years in Japan. While there, he worked with judo students. He served 21 years in the Air Force between active and reservist time and retired as a Lt. Colonel.
Following his military service, he worked with an oil company a few years and then made a change to become an educator. He taught two years in New Mexico, seven years in Shawnee and then worked many years at Gordon Cooper Technology Center, where he also was assistant superintendent and coordinator of Adult Education.
Though he left a career in education to devote his time to his land development business, he continued to help children and be a civic worker. He’s worked with the Boy Scouts, and as a Lion, has helped fund the Boys Ranch in Perkins. He’s funded the Quest program for 36 educators to help keep children off drugs and has supported the YMCA.
He funded the renovation of the children’s gym at his church, St. Paul’s United Methodist, and has helped fund four libraries in this area and recently was involved in setting up a library for inmates at the local detention center.
He’s also worked to combat truancy among area youth, resulting in a board being formed and a grant awarded to hire a truancy officer. He’s worked many years with Big Brothers/Big Sisters program and has been involved in many other projects and services, such as World Neighbors and funding a tutoring program for OSU students, and too many other services to mention.
After Milburn accepted the award, his wife took the podium and thanked everyone for the work they do for the Salvation Army and said to her husband, “You make me so very proud.”
During the dinner, Majors Michael and Lori Barnhouse, who came to Shawnee in August, spoke of their work and praised the staff of the Salvation Army and all of the volunteers.
“We appreciate our soldiers — our corps members who minister alongside us,” Major Michael Barnhouse said. “They make service and ministry fund. Serving the Lord is a great blessing.”
Major Lori Barnhouse also presented awards relating to the Army’s Christmas time bell ringing project, which raises funds for the Salvation Army’s programs and services. Award were given in categories for collection of the most donations.
• Civic group —The Shawnee Rotary Club.
• Churches — Hilltop Baptist Church.
• Businesses — FireLake Discount Foods
• And the “Frozen Bell” award, which goes to those who ring the bell on the coldest day, went to the Salvation Army Men’s club.
• The Shawnee Rotary Club also was honored for bringing in the most overall donations.
“We’re thankful for all those who worked so hard at Christmas time,” Major Lori Barnhouse said.
The majors thanked the advisory board, the women’s auxiliary and all of the volunteers from organizations to churches who volunteer to make the Salvation Army’s projects a success and ensure the soup kitchen is always staffed.
“We’re blessed beyond measure,” Michael Barnhouse said.
Overall, the banquet’s proceeds will fund the Salvation Army’s Boys and Girls Club. Part of the evening included a celebrity auction of various items, which included a piece of artwork painted by Gov. Brad Henry.
A total of the funds raised were still being tabulated Tuesday night.
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Did you Know?
• In 2008, the Salvation Army provided 4,579 nights of emergency shelter; 208 evangelistic meetings; 1,597 food baskets; free clothing and household items for 8,416 people; Christmas toys for 1,367 children; 1,200 Christmas gifts for area nursing home residents; 25,555 meals served to the hungry; assistance for 50 utility shut-offs and school supplies and backpacks for 850 area children.
