OKDHS Recognizes State Volunteers

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma Department of Human Services recently honored a number of individuals who have significantly contributed to the state through their volunteer efforts.
The State Volunteer Awards Ceremony, “Volunteers -- The Keys to Success,” was held at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City, with OKDHS Director Howard Hendrick and former Oklahoma First Lady Donna Nigh presenting the awards. Two Eufaula residents, Melba Bryant and Sandi Guess, were among those honored.

Melba Bryant received the “Karen D. Jacobs Award for Exemplary Community Service.” For nearly five years, she has been a dedicated aide with the OKDHS Child Welfare Division in McIntosh County. Bryant has dedicated many hours helping with the annual “Toys for Tots” Christmas campaign. In addition, she is a member of the North Fork Baptist Church and has organized an annual shoe giveaway in which each child in state custody receives a new pair of shoes.

Each summer, Bryant coordinates special outings for children in foster homes and the Eufaula youth shelter. Those activities allow the children to have fun and enjoy being a child without the fear of what is happening around them. She also puts together a picnic lunch and snack for each child, which she pays out of her own pocket. As a single parent, Bryant is raising two grandchildren who were once in the OKDHS system. 

Sandi Guess received the “Freida Mosley Award for Outstanding Service.” She has worked for the OKDHS Child Welfare Division for 11 years, and like Bryant, has donated countless hours to the annual “Toys for Tots” campaign.

Guess makes presentations to area businesses and collects donations for several fundraising projects throughout the year. Those projects include an annual bike run, golf tournament, and a wine-tasting event. The proceeds from the events totaled more than $19,000, and are used throughout the year for outings for children in state custody.  Some of the outings include skating parties and trips in the summer to a water park.

More than 100 people attended the ceremony, including volunteers, their family and friends and a number of state legislators.

“Volunteers truly are the lifeblood of this state,” said Karen Jacobs, Coordinator of the OKDHS Office of Volunteerism. “These folks spend countless hours volunteering their time, working to make Oklahoma a better state. They do it not for any glory or recognition, but simply because they have a caring and generous nature. We all owe these volunteers a debt of gratitude.”

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From left, OKDHS Director Howard Hendrick, Melba Bryant, and OKDHS Volunteer Coordinator, Karen Jacobs.

OKDHS Director Howard Hendrick presents Sandi Guess with the “Freida Mosley Award for Outstanding Service.