Oklahomans Spending Up, But Charitable Donations Down

While many Oklahoma families are spending big bucks this holiday season, charities and non-profits are not benefiting from people opening up their wallets.

Friday, December 3rd 2010, 10:57 pm

By: News 9


Rusty Surette, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY – While many Oklahoma families are spending big bucks this holiday season, charities and non-profits are not benefiting from people opening up their wallets.

At Bob Howard Chevrolet in Edmond, Christmas has come early. Sales at the dealership are up and the general manager said it's all about consumer confidence.

"We have a lot more competitive models in the market now," said Aaron London, the general manager for Bob Howard Chevy.

Across the nation, vehicles sales rose 17 percent last month. In Oklahoma, Chevy sales are up 20 percent and at Bob Howard they're up 27 percent.

"People feel the economy is getting better. People have a lot more confidence especially in General Motors than they did a couple of years ago," said London.

The restaurant industry is also serving up a dish of good news. Last month a little more than half all restaurants owners reported an increase in sales. They say it's the best they've seen since 2007.

Unfortunately, not all news is good news on the financial front. Charities and non-profits across Oklahoma are reporting deep declines in donations. Betty McCord said toys are slowly trickling in this year.

"I think at Christmas time the little kids ought to have toys. They look forward to that. I don't care what happens," said McCord.

McCord and her children organize the annual Red Andrews Christmas Dinner in Oklahoma City. They're depending heavily this year on donors like Debbie Strong.

"These are families really in need and to me Christmas is always about the children," said

Debbie Strong with the Ladies Traveling Trio League.

Helping the needy is nothing new, but McCord and her family are begging Oklahomans who have the extra cash to spread the wealth and the joy to those who really need it this holiday season.

Oklahoma City firefighters are also feeling the heat on toy donations. A News 9 viewer said toy donations at the fire station near N.W. 16th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue are low this year.

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