For more information about the Extended Hands Christmas toy drive for
foster children, call 600-8593. To make a donation to the program, go
to the Extended Hands office at 9005 NW 10, Suite 11, or mail checks
to: Extended Hands Foundation, 9005 NW 10, Suite 11, Oklahoma City, OK
73127.
"Extended Hands" was first a song written by Myra Hill in 1996.
Today, the song is an anthem for a group, run by Hill's son Brian Hill, trying to make the lives of foster families and foster children better.
The song is also the title of the nonprofit group, whose mission is to take care of the state's 12,000 children in foster care, Brian Hill said.
"It (the song) has kind of become the declaration of my life," Brian Hill said. "It is all about being extended to people in need to help people who are hurting."
Extended Hands, based at 9005 NW 10, Suite 11, has kicked off a
Christmas toy drive to provide presents to foster children, many living
in shelters awaiting foster homes, Hill said.
Extended Hands has worked since 2003 to provide foster families with
clothes, blankets, beds or cribs year-round. Thanksgiving Day baskets
with turkeys and fixings are being distributed to families this year as
well.
"There are certain things I believe in, in my heart, that there is a need in the community to help," Hill said.
Hill had worked as a manager in retail stores before starting Extended
Hands with his wife, Melissa. The Oklahoma City family has three foster
children and a newborn of their own.
Originally from Tennessee, Brian Hill met Melissa at Southwestern Christian University
in Bethany. They also operate Gents and Babes pre-school, an affordable
pre-school for children at least 18 months-old. Working with pre-school
children opened Hill's eyes to the "foster-care epidemic" in the state,
he said.
Extended Hands recruits foster families for the state Department of
Human Services, and works to keep them by making donations also.
The volunteers have helped foster families fix up larger homes when they take on a larger family, he said.
Gladys Carolina is one of the group's volunteers. Carolina has three foster children living with her.
"After you do this and you see the need you feel like you are really
contributing to society to provide love and care and security to foster
children," Carolina said.
Kristina Crist,
Extended Hands events director, said this is the first year for a
Christmas toy drive. She said people are asked to buy a toy that costs
up to $25 for children younger than 12, and gift cards for older
children. Many children in shelters have little chance of getting any
Christmas gifts at all, Crist said.
Extended Hands also needs clothes.
To donate to the Christmas toy drive, or for more information about how to be a foster family, call Extended Hands at 600-8593.
