It’s Turtle Time

It’s that time again, familiar signs are popping up around Rogers County: “Adopt a turtle.”

It’s that time again, familiar signs are popping up around Rogers County: “Adopt a turtle.”

If you have lots of love to give, then sign up to adopt one of these adorable green creatures who might just bring you the “Luck O’ the Turtle” if he is one of the fastest in the Sixth annual fund raiser to benefit both the Volunteers for Youth program and Rogers County Youth Services.

The Claremore Super Recreation Center, RCB Bank and Wal-Mart Supercenter are teaming up again as presenting sponsors for the annual event set for Saturday, March 15. Approximately 4,000 turtles, released into the recreation center pool at 1:30 p.m., will be propelled with giant fans through the racecourse. Prize packages will be awarded to the top ten winners.

How do you get in on the fun?

“The turtles are adopted by participants when a tax-deductible contribution is made. Adoption certificates are completed and the adopted turtle numbers are posted at the Rec Center just prior to the race. It’s easy to enter and you don’t have to be present to win,” says Melynda Stone, Volunteers for Youth coordinator.

For a $5 donation, you can choose one green plastic turtle or increase your odds of winning a prize by adopting a “Snap-pack of turtles” of six, 13 or 28. Of course, the more you buy, the more you save.

A $1,000 “Turtle Shopping Spree” at Wal-Mart will be awarded to the fastest turtle. Other prizes include $500 cash, an automotive care package from Jack Kissee Ford; a family entertainment package; free Hammett House pies for one year; a prize package from The Outdoorsman; a pampering package and more.

Event festivities will kick off at 8 a.m. with an all-you-can-eat Turtlicious Breakfast at the Will Rogers Masonic Lodge. For $5, you can enjoy a menu of pancakes, biscuits and gravy, eggs, bacon and sausage.

The day of family fun at the Rec Center includes inflatables, clowns, face painting, games and 25-cent concessions. Event sponsors will have the opportunity to compete in a corporate turtle race at 1 p.m. The event, featuring larger versions of the green creatures, has become very competitive over the past several years, according to Stone.

“Jack Kissee Ford has become the team to beat in the motorized division,” she adds.

Corporate winners in both the motorized and non-motorized divisions as well as the best-dressed and overall winners will receive medals.

You can visit one of the following sites in Claremore to begin the simple process of turtle adoption: all RCB Bank locations; 1st Bank; Bank of Commerce; Grand Bank; Bank of the Lakes of Oologah; Quizno’s; Felt’s Shoes; A Place of Grace; Goldie’s; J&J Pharmacy; The Men’s Shop; Dr. Tina Foutz; Game Exchange; Bath & Body; Summit Physical Therapy; The Hair Place; Emily’s Playhouse; Rent-a-Center and Walgreen’s.

For more information, contact

Volunteers for Youth

(918) 343-2530