Providing basic supplies to women and children in need is the goal of the third annual Sweet Dreams donation drive for the YWCA, said Christian D. Timmons, community chair and teacher at OCCC’s Child Development Center and Lab School. This is the third year OCCC has contributed to the cause, she said.

The YWCA is especially short on travel-sized shampoos, body wash, and conditioners, which will go to some of the 550,000 people assisted by the YWCA annually, Timmons said.

Besides basic toiletries, the CDCLS is accepting children’s books, pajamas, and stuffed animals with minimal wear, Timmons said.

The YWCA Women’s shelter in Oklahoma City typically takes in families that have had to flee their homes with little preparation or packing, according to their website.

In Oklahoma alone the YWCA has identified and assisted 9,329 at-risk adults and 8,110 children as victims of serious abuse and neglect.

“We want to bring the word out to the community,” Timmons said.

The goal this year is to provide at least 100 children who enter the shelter a bag with a stuffed animal, a book, pajamas, toothpaste, and a toothbrush.

A co-creator for the annual Sweet Dreams drive is Mackenzie Shay, 9, who attended OCCC’s center as a pre-schooler.

“I think it’s sad that a parent would be bad,” Mackenzie said in pamphlets being distributed by the CDCLS “It makes me happy to know the children have a place to go and have a stuffed animal. I think we should help the kids feel safe.”

The CDCLS would appreciate contributions of time, toiletries, or money, which can be brought to the donation stations at the CDCLS or on the OCCC campus.

For questions or to volunteer, call the CDCLS at 405-682-7561 or go to the website, ywca.com.