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We have all experienced difficulties during this pandemic. We've had unexpected deaths, house fires, estrangement from family, and divorce. That doesn't include the very challenging struggles our teachers and students face each week they've wondered whether they would be in distance learning or A/B schedule. It's difficult to make the "right" decision, because the information used to make those decisions changes almost hourly some days! It has nearly made my head spin, all of it.
Then I open the mail.
I see we've gotten literally thousands of dollars for our children that we weren't expecting.
I open my email and see more generous gifts from people who have never given to us.
I answer my phone and it's a nonprofit who wants to partner with us next semester to help more kids or an alumnae who rallies her graduating class to help us provide Christmas for over 1,100 children through CareShare.
How can I be discouraged for too long when I feel and see all the good that people in the Putnam City family offer to our children—children they will never know?
"Thank you" seems insufficient to explain the gratitude I feel for each person who chooses to give to us, no matter the amount. There are literally thousands of worthy charities in Oklahoma alone. And so many people—alumni, retired teachers, current staff, community members—chose the Putnam City Schools Foundation. I am humbled regularly by your belief in the work we do.
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Amari is a 6th grader in Putnam City. She loves horses and playing outside. School has been tough this year, because it's not really school, the only place where she can be a kid. At home, she is part sister, part mother, and now part teacher because her mom works nights. She is responsible for her siblings, prepares their dinner, changes their diapers, and reads to them at bedtime.
Amari has teachers who care and are helping her get through as best they can. She will have a bright future, if we can help her. Some children have access to opportunities that Amari's family just can't afford, especially right now. She isn't traveling to Utah to visit the national parks that could've inspired her to become a park ranger or a large animal veterinarian. She didn't go to a day camp this summer that would have taught her how to fish or build an outdoor shelter. She doesn't even have books at home.
Her future is open book, but some pages are missing.
During this time of giving, the Putnam City Schools Foundation is asking each of you to donate so that Amari can write her story with more inspiration, more heart-racing moments, and more wonder. In an unstable world, you can provide some stability. Amidst the chaos, you can provide calm.
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Kevin Stump, Putnam City West Class of 1977
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Kevin Stump currently serves as President/CEO of Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency, a nonprofit organization saving and improving lives through the facilitation of organ, tissue and eye donations for those in need. We caught up with this former Patriot and asked him to share a little about his high school experience and life since graduation.
What is your favorite memory of high school at PC West?
I really can't think of one favorite memory. All of my years at PC West are great memories of the friendships and education that were part of those years.
How did you get started in the non-profit industry?
I graduated college in 1981 with a degree in Biology and then in 1984 with a BSN. My career in healthcare as a RN always seemed to involve organ donation and transplantation. In 1988 I went to work full time at the organ procurement organization in Oklahoma, now known as LifeShare of Oklahoma. That started my career working in non-profit organizations.
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What took you to Mississippi?
After two years at the organ procurement organization in Oklahoma, I was offered a job at the organization in Sacramento, California. After two years there, I was recruited to Mississippi to revitalize and restructure the organization in Mississippi. I started this part of my life in September of 1992. Originally we had five employees, over the years we have grown to over 60 and significantly increased the number of individuals donating organ, tissue and eyes to save and improve lives.
Did you have a favorite teacher at PC West?
I enjoyed all of the teachers and administration at PC West, but TC Hardesty and Coach Paul Parent stick out in my mind. They not only educated you on the class subject they taught, but also about life.
Anything else you'd like to share?
I am honored to be asked. There are so many graduates from Putnam City Schools who have made a tremendous impact in our country, states and communities.
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Our thanks to Kevin for taking a moment to share his alumni story with our readers. We'd love to share your story, too! Please visit our website to https://pcf4kids.org/alumni/ to learn more.
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CareShare a Success Once Again
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Our amazing CareShare Coordinator Erin Brewer and her team of adopters pulled off another Christmas miracle this year. With less than two weeks until gift delivery, there were still nearly 400 kiddos who needed to be adopted. Undaunted, our counselors and Erin jumped into action, doubling down efforts to spread the word and ensure those kids would wake up with excitement on their faces.
CareShare had help from church groups, the 564th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron - Tinker AFB, OU Athletics, small businesses, Putnam City staff members, and alumni. It was truly amazing to see the men from Tinker (pictured below) roll 26 bikes they assembled down that long hall at Hilldale Elementary School.
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Thank you adopters! You are helping kids hold on to their hopes at Christmastime, just like our founder Penny Poe said. Imagine the joy on those faces while you are looking at your family Christmas morning. You made that happen.
Click here to view a full list of adopters.
Special thanks to the PC Transportation Department for assisting with bike delivery.
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RECENT MAJOR DONORS
Bethany Kiwanis Club
CrossFirst Bank
Inasmuch Foundation
Independent Insurance Agents of Greater Oklahoma City
Kerr 3 Architects, Inc.
Ann Long
Beth Manning
Amarides Montgomery
OnCue Marketing, LLC
Paper 'N More
Putnam City High Class of 1979
Red Sky Constructors, LLC
Lee & Vivian Rice
Sovereign Title Services
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