News Release
OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 16, 2020) – After a successful launch with Senator Paul Rosino and local fire, police and EMS in Oklahoma City last month, the “Fostering Outdoor Oklahoma Families” collaborative partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) and Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Foundation (OWCF) expanded last weekend into Noble County.
Approximately 20 children in foster care and their families enjoyed a hamburger and hotdog lunch with all the fixings prepared by the Perry Police, Fire Department and EMS and donated by local businesses. State Senator Chuck Hall, a former foster parent himself, welcomed and fished with the families on the beautiful banks of Perry CCC Lake while teaching them a little about the history of this hidden Oklahoma gem built during the Great Depression.
“Senator Rosino and I are great friends and he’s been a mentor of mine for some time,” said Senator Hall. “When he told me about the event he put on last month, I knew we had to do this for families in our area who foster. Events like these allow us to show our families how important they are to us and to the State of Oklahoma. They perform a beautiful and much-needed service, which I have experienced first-hand as a former foster parent, and I just wanted to do something special for them so they would know how much they are loved and appreciated. To be able to feed them a little lunch and put a fishing rod in some children’s hands is special. I know how important it is that these children have something that is theirs, and the community partnerships we have to support our local families and children in foster care are tremendous.”
Each participating child took home their own rod and reel provided by Sen. Hall and local benefactors in the Noble County area, along with a tackle box provided by OWCF. OWCF also provided fishing licenses for any foster family wanting to continue their fishing adventures after the event. Children enjoyed playing on the Perry firetrucks and even got to turn on the sirens while pretending to respond to a call.
“We are so grateful to Sen. Hall, Perry Police, Fire and EMS, as well as all the businesses who helped our friends at ODWC and OWCF put on this great event for our families,” said OKDHS Chief of Staff Samantha Galloway. “Partnerships like these ensure children and families have the support they need to thrive, and, together, we are making changes in our communities that will have positive impacts for generations to come.”
“Our last Fostering Outdoor Oklahoma Families event of the year was so rewarding,” said ODWC Director J.D. Strong. “Many of our families were fishing for the first time, and it was a treat helping them experience some of the fun and beauty of nature right in their own backyard.”
“Foster care is a team effort,” said OKDHS Child Welfare Director Dr. Deborah Shropshire. “Our families who foster join their hearts and lives with children and their biological families, and work with teams of professionals in their local community to help the children and families heal. We can’t do this important work alone and are endlessly thankful for the families who step forward to foster, and for the communities who offer support and resources. This partnership is more than just fishing. With each cast, our families and children feel the love and support from their local communities.”
Oklahoma needs more families to step forward to foster local children in state custody, particularly those in large sibling groups, teens and children with behavioral health needs. Families interested in learning more about foster care or applying to become a certified foster family may visit okfosters.org to be connected to a recruiter in their area, or visit okbenefits.org to make application immediately. Follow the prompts on the website to make application or call 1-800-376-9729 to speak to someone by phone. Interested Oklahomans may also visit ourokdhs.org to raise their hand and join the agency's efforts to better serve the community through innovation and collaborative partnerships.
###
Editor’s Note: High-resolution photos from the event are available here.
