More than 4,000 children are taken into foster care each year in Oklahoma, said Citizens Caring for Children Executive Director Lynne Roller. Roller said many of those children leave their homes with little to nothing. That is where CCC steps in. 

“They can come and visit us four times a year — with each of the changing seasons — and get two outfits, underwear, socks, pajamas, a coat in the winter, shoes — that kind of thing,” she said. “They always get a hygiene kit each time they come.”

When a child first comes to CCC, they receive a duffel bag filled with clothing, a hygiene kit, books and a stuffed toy, Roller said.

The organization accepts any of these items as donations year-round. All items must be new except books, which may be gently used.

OCCC is collecting stuffed animals to donate to the organization, said Student Life Coordinator Travis Ruddle.

“We’re doing a stuffed animal toy drive,” he said. “They have to be new stuffed animals.”

Stuffed animals can be dropped off at the Student Life Office, the Recreation and Fitness Center and the FACE Center through Dec. 11.

Roller said they have seen 700 children since Jan. 1 and need donations because of the recent influx of new children.

“So far this month we’ve seen about 160 kids and 58 of them have been first-time kids,” she said.

For more information, contact Student Life at studentlife@occc.edu or call 405-682-7523.