Christmas was warmer and brighter for several Native American children thanks to the kindness of some Chickasaw Nation and Ada-area groups.
More than 500 coats and hundreds of toys were donated from several tribal departments and local organizations and given to children in Chickasaw Nation Family Advocacy programs, said Angela Connor, Family Advocacy department director.
Among the groups donating were the National Wrestling Alliance and All Nations Pow Wow of Ada, the Council of Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET), Chickasaw Nation Child Support Enforcement, Chickasaw Nation Division of Treasury and Youth Services staff, Chikasha Apihchi Ikbi (Youth Leadership) members, and the Chickasaw Children's Village.
Conner said dozens of children benefited from the generosity of these groups.
"Overwhelming response far exceeded our expectations. Support from the community and Chickasaw Nation employees far exceeded previous year's donations," said Connor.
The tribal Department of Justice once again donated money or brings gifts for the Angel Tree, and six families in the Chepotta Himitta (Young Child) program were "adopted" and given gifts from the tribal Child Development staff.
"It was amazing," said Ginger Dunn, Chepotta Himitta Program manager.
"It was a very blest holiday."
Employees from the Chickasaw Nation Division of Treasury donated 500 coats, CLEET staffers presented three bags full of toys, tribal Youth Services staff raised funds for residents of the Domestic Violence Shelter, and donated toys to children in the Chepotta Himitta program.
Child Support Services staffers donated toys and wrapped them for a Christmas party for the families in the programs and Chikasha Apihchi Ikbi members donated gifts for the party and took and printed photos of the children with Santa.
The National Wrestling Alliance of Oklahoma, in conjunction with the All Nations Annual Pow Wow of Ada Society committee, contributed three bags toys for the children in the program.
In December, NWA of Oklahoma hosted a wrestling match in Ada. The entry fee for the event was an unwrapped toy.
The toy and coats were dispersed among children in all programs.
The Department of Family Advocacy has five programs within the Division of Youth and Family Services, including; Indian Child Welfare Program, Foster Care and Adoption, Violence Prevention, Family Preservation and the Chepotta Himitta Program.
