OKLAHOMA CITY - Foster children in Oklahoma County won’t be with their families this December but “Holiday Heroes” will make their holidays brighter.

The Oklahoma Department of Human Services is collecting gifts for 3,600 foster children in Oklahoma County and 1,500 foster children in Tulsa County who are victims of abuse and neglect and have been placed in foster homes.

“In these tough economic times, we need your help more than ever because while the state pays for the daily needs of these children, no state funds are used to purchase their Christmas gifts,” said OKDHS Bridge Volunteer Coordinator Natalie Biddinger.  

OKDHS collects wish lists from foster children, allowing sponsors to buy exactly what a child has asked for at Christmas. Individuals or groups who want to sponsor a child’s wish list, donate gifts, or contribute financially contact Biddinger at (405) 767-2988 or natalie.biddinger@okdhs.org or visit www.okdhs.org/programsandservices/vol and select on "Holiday Hero". Donors will be given wish lists until every child is sponsored. Gifts need to be delivered to the Holiday Hero warehouse by Wednesday, Dec 16.

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