OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) recently recognized 10 champions for children in various categories with awards. Each of these individuals or organizations has done tremendous work to elevate children’s support services and make lives better for each they have touched.

The annual awards luncheon celebrates the winners during our annual Fall Forum policy conference. Fall Forum brings together advocates to suggest policies for implementation by lawmakers and agency leaders. On behalf of our Board of Directors, thank you for all each of you has done to improve the lives of Oklahoma’s children.

Kayla Leeper won the Jasmine and Melvin Moran Kidizenship Award for excellence in youth philanthropy for her work with her program Kayla’s Kindness Project. This effort provides items to patients undergoing cancer treatments.

Kristina Egnor was presented with the Laura Choate Resilience Award, recognizing someone who has endured tremendous childhood trauma but overcome it to make the children’s lives better. Kristina leads a team of speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists supporting youth in Stillwater.

The Oklahoma City Fire Department won the Jon Hansen Public Servant Award which pays tribute to a public servant or department which goes beyond their normal duties to impact the lives of children positively. Among their volunteer efforts, the department provides coats for children in need and toys for foster youth over the holidays.

Stan Clark, the founder of Eskimo Joe’s, received the Ray and Pat Potts Community Leader Award for a business leader providing support in their community to benefit children. Eskimo Joe’s, celebrating their 50th anniversary, gives back to many organizations with proceeds from sales of their clothing, along with offering several charitable give-back events through their restaurants in Stillwater.

BancFirst was selected for the inaugural H.E. “Gene” Rainbolt Corporate Citizen Award which recognizes a business which works to help children outside their business operations. Beyond the individual work of the more than 100 local branches to support their communities, BancFirst provides support for children’s theatres to perform around the state.

Dr. Dwight Sublett was picked to posthumously receive an award which will bear his name to honor medical providers who improve the health of Oklahoma’s children. Dr. Sublett was President of the American Academy of Pediatrics – Oklahoma Chapter and was a calming voice for children’s health during the pandemic.

Debbie Hogue Downing was selected by our office staff to receive the OICA Volunteer of the Year Award for helping with our events and operations. Debbie has repeatedly given many hours multiple times this year to help our mission.

The Judy Eason Mc-Intyre Inclusion Award was presented posthumously to the Rev. Dr. John A. Reed, Jr. Dr. Reed was a pastor for 67 years, all but six at Fairview Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, and worked tirelessly in his community to elevate children’s causes.

Tahlequah Public Schools Superintendent Tanya Jones received the Sandy Garrett Educator Award for exceptional work benefiting the well-being of students. Superintendent Jones led a team to embed state social workers in the school system, providing support services to help families keep their children out of foster care.

Alana Hughes, another posthumous winner, received the Steven A. Novick Child Advocacy Award celebrating the work of an unsung hero in child advocacy. Alana, an OICA board member at the time of her death, worked for years with the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies. She was a driving force for legislation that reduces the backlog of family cases in the courts, keeping children with families rather than going into foster care.

OICA is grateful to all these award recipients, and the many Oklahomans working with us to improve the lives of children.