Service Project: Laura Dester Children’s Shelter
As some of you may already be aware, the OK Department of Human Services (DHS) has been working to close Oklahoma’s two emergency children’s shelters in order to move toward foster care placement for every child in state custody. The shelter in Oklahoma City has been closed for more than a year, but Tulsa’s Laura Dester Shelter remains in operation due to the long-term needs of the children living there. Most of these kids are teenagers, with serious medical or emotional needs that make finding a permanent foster home a special challenge.
Unfortunately, the publicity behind the scheduled closure of the Laura Dester Shelter has led much of the public — and many volunteer organizations — to believe the shelter is already closed, so donations, volunteers, and other support have dried up to almost nothing. Luckily, some amazing local citizens have stepped in to spread the word about these needs and help bring these special kids a wonderful Christmas!Each child at the shelter has already been sponsored for Christmas gifts (praise God!) but there are ongoing needs we are asking our community families to help address. (See the list below.)
Please bring some of the following items with you to community day THIS THURSDAY. The donated items will be collected and delivered to the Shelter next week. (If you aren’t able to make it to the store, but would like to donate money, we will use any donated funds to purchase items on your behalf.)
Needs for Laura Dester Shelter:
- Shampoo
- Men’s Deodorant
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrushes
- Towels
- Wash Cloths
- Soap
- Pillows
- Flame resistant twin sheets
- Sweatshirts
- Jackets
- Men’s shoes
- Men’s Belts
- Blankets
- School uniforms
STAR Store: (A rewards “store” where the kiddos can turn in their points for good behavior for toys and other fun things!)
- Playing cards
- Uno cards
- Candy
- Hot Wheels
- Axe products (no aerosol)
- Wallets
- Sunglasses
- Reusable water bottles
- Legos
- Rubik’s cube
- Hats
- Hacky Sac
- $5 gift cards to QT