Caring Community Friends Director Dr. Camille Teale says that in April, holiday shopping was a distant idea for many Sapulpa families. They “could never have imagined that they would still be struggling financially at Christmas time,” she says. “Many are still out of work or have not recovered from the loss of income.” They will have a heavier financial burden than in past years and “providing Christmas for their families is simply not going to be possible.”
So Dr. Teale and CCF, Creek County’s largest food bank, are inviting the community to work together to provide “Hope for the Holidays,” by providing their families with meals and gifts that they would otherwise go without.
“There are so many ways to get involved!” Teale told Sapulpa Times. “We’re expecting to distribute Christmas food to over 200 families and to provide gifts to all of the children in their homes.” Individuals, businesses, schools, organizations, and churches can participate by hosting a Holiday Food Drive, adopting a star (a child in need of gifts) from CCF, hosting a Holiday Toy Drive, or creating another way to raise money, food, or toys for Creek County families who will need some help with holiday cheer during this pandemic.
CCF launched Hope for the Holidays on the first of November and within just one week had an overwhelmingly generous community response. Sapulpa Public Schools’ National Honor Society and Cross Country Team are scheduled to volunteer to wrap presents in CCF’s Christmas Shop, members and churches from the Sapulpa Ministerial Alliance are stepping in to help however they can, a dozen volunteers from First Christian Church has already sorted toys and set up the Christmas Shop, Green Hill Cemetery and Ardagh Group have already committed to hosting Toy Drives, the First Presbyterian Church and CrossFit West of the River have volunteered to fill numerous Christmas Stars, and CCF Board Members are preparing to shop for any other unmet needs
Local Businesses will also be given the opportunity to sponsor their virtual Hope for the Holidays fundraiser. Sponsorship levels range from $250 – $5,000.
Families in need can call 918-224-6464 or visit CCFOK.org. To adopt a star or to sponsor Hope for the Holidays visit CCFOK.org.
