DHS recognizes state’s volunteers—Seminole County group receives award

Every year generous Oklahomans across the state donate countless hours to making the state a better place in which to live.  The Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS) recognized some of those individuals recently at the annual 2016 Volunteer and Community Partner Awards Ceremony, held at the Oklahoma History Center. 

 “Leading the Way” was the theme for this year’s event.  The ceremony honored volunteers and community partners whose efforts made a difference in the lives of others.

“In lean budget years it becomes increasingly important for us to collaborate with our community partners, stakeholders and volunteers,” said Karen Jacobs, Administrator for the DHS Office of Community and Faith Engagement.  “Each year our citizens donate countless hours and continue to lead the way in helping their communities.  This ceremony was our way of honoring them for their efforts.”

The DHS employees of Seminole County received the Freida Mosley Award for their work throughout the community.  In 2015 they participated in three different projects.  The first was in April for Child Abuse Awareness Month and school children were given awards for the best-written essay on child abuse prevention.

In June, they partnered with the local Salvation Army to provide backpacks and school supplies to 150 children.  And at Christmas they worked with the Seminole County Food Bank to collect and deliver food to help families in need.

The Freida Mosley Award is named for Mosley who worked for more than 30 years with patients and families who received care at Children's Hospital. 

"I have witnessed the services these volunteers provide, and I am always amazed and humbled by the work they do,” Jacobs said.  “Oklahoma is truly blessed to have such genuine, caring individuals."

Last year Oklahoma had nearly 800,000 people who volunteered more than 85 million hours of service.  Their efforts provided more than $37 million in services to Oklahoma.

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