More than two dozen Foster Grandparents were honored during the 29th Annual Delta Community Action Foster Grandparent Recognition luncheon, Friday, March 12 at the Chickasaw Nation Culinary Arts Academy in Ardmore, Okla.
Foster Grandparents who serve in classrooms in Carter, Marshall, Johnston and Murray counties were honored for a combined 384 years of service.
Foster Grandparents is a federal program that matches senior citizens to special-needs children in the classroom.
The program is celebrating its 45th year this year.
"Lyndon Johnson decided the grandparent has a role in children's life and signed the Foster Grandparent program into existence," said Foster Grandparent Program Director Mynan Hutto.
Foster Grandparents, she said, provide a variety of educational assistance, nurturing and support for students, easing the burden of the classroom teacher.
"The grandparents and the children get a lot out of this program."
Attendees at the luncheon work in Ardmore, Davis, and Sulphur Public Schools, Oklahoma School for the Deaf, the Community Ardmore's Children's Shelter, and area Head Starts including the Chickasaw Nation, INCA and Big 5 Head Start. Two Foster Grandparents, Adell Martin and LaQuita Hall, work at the Chickasaw Nation Children's Village in Kingston.
"We love our grandparents, they take care of us and they take care of our school," said Eva Wells, an administrator from Will Rogers Elementary School in Ardmore.
Malcolm Williams, director of the Community Children's Shelter in Ardmore, spoke to the group and praised his Foster Grandparent, Corine Shannon.
"You carry out a very big role in your assigned position," Williams said. "You don't know the huge impact you have on the children's lives."
Chickasaw citizen Helen Bartlett was honored for five years of service at the INCA Head Start in Mill Creek.
Mary Russell and Shirley Brown were also honored for their services at the Chickasaw Nation Head Start in Ardmore.
"I enjoy spending time with the children. It is very fulfilling," said Russell.
Chickasaw Nation and Foster Grandparents
The Chickasaw Nation's affiliation with the Foster Grandparent program began in 1980 when Governor Overton James implemented the program at Carter Seminary.
"It was the only Foster Grandparent site in Carter County, 15 grandparents worked in the dorm," said Dorothy Holt, Ardmore Foster Grandparent area coordinator.
Today, the Delta Community Action oversees schools in six counties, Carter, Marshall, Johnston, Murray, Stephens and Comanche.
Twenty-five Foster Grandparents received a certificate and a pin during the ceremony.
Those honored include: Dean Crabaugh, (23 years), Dorothy Childs, (22 years), Rose Williams, (21 years), Myrtle Williamson, (20 years), Armetha Richard, (15 years), Juanita Kennedy, Lucille Scoggins (12 years), Mildred Milburn, Virginia Keener, (11 years), Darlean Rankin, Cornelia Turrentine, Mildred McGee, (10 years), Mary Evans, Dorothy Shumaker, Dorothy Cousins, (nine years), Irma Lacy, Mary McHenry, Naomi Richardson, Alice Bowen, Irene Fleming, June Woodson (eight years), Norman Smart, Mary Alexander, Catherine Berry (seven years), Curtis Richardson, Corine Shannon, LaQuita Hall, Adell Martin, (six years), Lillie Hall, Helen Bartlett, Cleo Hampton, Charlene Trammell, Ellen Mathews, Wanda Welch, LaDoris Peterson (five years), Georgia Douglas, James Sterling, Sue Andrews, Patsy Hook (four years), Hulean Hoskins, Loretha Gordon, Vernell Callins, Shirley Brown, Juanita Cottrell, Othella Brown, (three years) Mary Hays, Lupe Butler, Judy Browder, and Jimmie Cottrell, (two years), Peggy Purvey, Carolyn Buckley, Brenda Bell, Dora Hutchinson, Annette Fleming, Dorothy McDuffie, Shirley Pickens, Barbara Suitor Willie Toles and Jim Browder, (one year).
New volunteers were also recognized including: Ruby Mathews, Billie Kay Roberts, Ada Johnson, Clevonna Jones, Margie Louis, Johnny Bagby, Gladys Hughes, Harold Hughes, Glyna Scott, Catherine Cousin, Armella McKindra and Mary Harris.
The Foster Grandparents program is a federally funded program by the Corporation for National and Community Service and Foster Grandparents Senior Corps.
For more information about the Foster Grandparent program, contact Mynan Hutto or Karen Nichols, Delta Community Action executive director at 580-252-4085.
