KIRKPATRICK FAMILY FUND AWARDS MATCHING GRANT FOR PC CARESHARE
The Putnam City Schools Foundation is one of the latest recipients of a matching grant from the Kirkpatrick Family Fund. Funds raised will start an endowment for the CareShare program in Putnam City.
Nearly forty years ago counselor Penny Poe started CareShare as a way for children to “hold onto their hopes at Christmastime.” She gathered a few friends and colleagues together to provide toys, books, and clothes to Putnam City students in need. Coats and shoes were also donated to provide basic necessities so those things don’t get in the way of learning.
Today CareShare Christmas helps over 1,200 children get presents thanks to the generosity of the community. Families, religious organizations, businesses and other groups can adopt a Putnam City family and provide them a few items from a provided list.
Penny’s Closet – an offshoot of CareShare named in honor of its founder – provided 325 coats and 216 pairs of shoes last year alone. A team of volunteers works with counselors in each school to ensure the students have proper outerwear and shoes.
As these programs have grown over the years, it became apparent to the Foundation board that it needed to create a stable funding opportunity so that the children would never have to go without.
“We are thankful for the Kirkpatrick Family Fund's support of our vision by offering $1 for every $3 raised toward a new endowment,” said Chuck Thomas, chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees.
Community members interested in contributing to the matching opportunity may do so at this website https://www.occf.org/pcsf. Those interested in adopting children for CareShare can complete this form https://pcf4kids.org/christmas.
About the Foundation
The Putnam City Schools Foundation’s mission is to enhance and enrich the educational opportunities of children in Putnam City Schools. We serve the students, teachers, and staff of Oklahoma’s fifth-largest school district, through support, recognition, and advocacy, and have for over 30 years. More than 19,500 children and their families benefit from the work we do every day. The support we provide doesn’t just impact our schools. It enables our students to dream big and continue building the strong community we share. To learn more about the Putnam City Schools Foundation call (405) 495-5200, ext. 1205, or visit www.pcf4kids.org.
###
October 2, 2019