OKLAHOMA CAPITOL -- To celebrate Grandparents’ Week, the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) Aging Services Division and AARP Oklahoma, are sponsoring an art contest for children being raised by grandparents or other relatives.

Each September, grandparents are honored for the important role they play in the lives of their grandchildren. OKDHS takes this opportunity to honor the special contributions of those grandparents who are raising their grandchildren by sponsoring a statewide conference focusing on the needs of these families.

Through a special competition called “My Family Portrait … An Ever Changing Picture,” children are invited to use an artistic medium to depict what makes their family special, said Claire Dowers, programs field representative, Aging Services Division, OKDHS, who is coordinating the competition.

“Grandparents are asked to write a short narrative to accompany the art in an effort to give the grandparents the opportunity to share with others their experiences and needs arising out of this experience,” Dowers said.

AARP Oklahoma will award savings bonds in several categories based on the children’s ages. Submit completed artwork and narratives by Aug. 22, 2006. Send entries to OKDHS Aging Services Division, Attention: Claire Dowers, 2401 N.W.23rd St., Suite 40, Oklahoma City, OK 73107-2413.

Entries must include the name and phone number of the grandparents, as well as the first name and age of the child. Confidentially will be maintained.

Artwork and narratives will be on display during the annual Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Conference, Sept.14-16, 2006, at New Covenant Christian Church, Oklahoma City.

For more information, contact Dowers at 405-522-3074 or via email at Claire.Dowers@OKDHS.org.

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