OKDHS Recognizes State Volunteers - OKC Resident Lisa Feist Receives Karen D. Jacobs Award

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The state of Oklahoma saved more than $38 million dollars last year as a result of hours and service donated by volunteers. The Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) recognized those volunteers in a state awards ceremony held recently at the Oklahoma History Center.

The 30th Annual Volunteer Awards Ceremony, “A Symphony of Service,” honored a number of Oklahomans for their outstanding contributions. OKDHS Interim Director Preston Doerflinger presented opening remarks, and the event was hosted by OKDHS Chief Administrative Officer Sandra Harrison and Communications Coordinator Sheree Powell.

“I am very proud to be a part of some great things going on at the Oklahoma Department of Human Services,” Doerflinger said. “It is an honor to be here and I want to personally thank each of you for your time and for your service.”

Oklahoma City resident Lisa Feist received the prestigious “Karen D. Jacobs Award for Exemplary Community Service.” Feist and her husband are the biological and foster parents to four children. They partner with OKDHS to develop ways to improve the foster care process.

Working with a community partner, Feist provides birthday cakes for the children at the Pauline E. Mayer shelter, and she launched a project to obtain safety kits to make sure homes are safe for placement of OKDHS children.

In addition, last year Feist recruited volunteers and community partners, orchestrating the delivery of more than 6,000 Christmas wish lists for children across the state.

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

“I have the best job at OKDHS,” said Karen Jacobs, Coordinator of the OKDHS Office of Volunteerism. “I work with and recognize individuals and organizations who have given so generously to their neighbors and to their state. They certainly do not do it for any glory or recognition, but simply because they have a gentle and caring nature. These individuals truly represent the best of what makes Oklahoma so special.”

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