Originally printed by the Pryor Daily Times on Dec. 9, 2009
By Susan Wagoner
Pryor Daily Times Staff Reporter
Mayes County law enforcement, Mayes Emergency Services Trust Authority and county firefighters are teaming up to raise money for kids this Christmas.
The law enforcement team will go helmet to helmet with the firefighters and EMS personnel in the first annual full-contact Department of Human Services Benefit Football Game next Monday night.
“As officers, we’re usually the ones that have to take kids out of homes that are in bad situations,” Pryor Police Officer Tommy Parker said. “This is a way we can do something good for those kids.”
Lauren Kester, child welfare specialist at Oklahoma Department of Human Services was surprised to get the call.
“He called me out of the blue,” she said. “Normally, when they call it’s because they need our assistance.”
Every year in Mayes County, DHS hosts a huge Christmas party for foster children in the program.
“Santa is there and he gives all of the children their gifts,” she said. “There’s a huge pizza party and we have all sorts of fun.”
Kester said there are approximately 125 kids in the foster program in Mayes County.
Each player paid $10 to play in the game. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for students and kids under the age of three are free.
The game will be at the Pryor High School Tiger Stadium on Dec. 14, at 6:30 p.m.
The team effort goes beyond the field, however.
DHS personnel will work the gate as well as the concession stand. Donations will be accepted at the game.
“Every child welfare worker in the county has offered to help in the football game,” Kester said.
Pryor High School is donating use of the field as well as all of the gear needed to complete the game.
“We really want to thank the Pryor School system for this,” Parker said. “From the superintendent to the athletic director to the coaches, everyone’s been really great.”
All proceeds raised from the event will go to Christmas for Mayes County DHS Child Welfare.
“We’re going to have an awesome Christmas party this year,” Kester said.
Parker hopes the event is a great success and becomes an annual thing.
“The game is just for fun,” Parker said. “The real winners will be those kids.”
To learn more about the foster care program, or to donate to the Christmas party, contact Regina Phillips at (918) 824-4900.
Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.
Reprinted with permission from the Pryor Daily Times