The Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS) Foundation sends this information as posted below:
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS) Foundation (https://www.okckids.com/), in partnership with OnCue, delivered hundreds of new winter coats today to students at Eugene Field Elementary as part of the 2024 Coat-A-Kid program. This year, the Foundation is working to raise $130,000 to provide 6,500 brand-new coats to OKCPS students across the district, continuing its vital mission to ensure no child faces the cold without adequate protection.
“Coat-A-Kid is about more than just providing coats—it’s about ensuring our students have the essentials to thrive,” said Mary Mélon-Tully, president and CEO of the OKCPS Foundation. “We are especially thankful for partners like OnCue, whose generous $10,000 contribution was key in helping us reach this year’s goal. Their support, along with that of all our donors, allows us to keep even more students warm and cared for during the harsh winter months. We couldn’t do this without their unwavering commitment, and we are truly grateful.”
With more than 90 percent of OKCPS’s 33,000 students living at or below the poverty line, the Foundation’s Coat-A-Kid initiative continues to be critical, particularly as inflation and economic uncertainty persist. The success of the campaign is driven not only by large donors but also by loyal small contributors who step up year after year. “Whether it’s $20 or $20,000, every donation counts,” Mélon-Tully added. “This campaign works because our entire community comes together to support our kids.”
New for this year, Amazon has joined as a vendor partner, offering sponsored pricing that has enabled the Foundation to stretch its resources further and provide even more coats to students in need.
“The Coat-A-Kid program reflects our community’s compassion and support,” said OKCPS Superintendent Dr. Jamie Polk. “We are deeply grateful to partners like OnCue and others who help ensure our students are prepared for Oklahoma’s unpredictable winter weather. Led by our friends at the OKCPS Foundation, this initiative is vital to our students’ well-being and directly supports our vision of ensuring every Oklahoma City Public Schools student graduates ready to fulfill their unique purpose in a healthy, vibrant community.”
The largest donors to this year’s campaign include the Lemon Family Foundation, Cox Communications, Natalie Shirley, OnCue and Diamondback Energy. Their collective generosity, alongside contributions from numerous small donors, enables the Foundation to fulfill every request for a winter coat.
“At OnCue, we are committed to making a positive difference in our community, and we are thrilled to partner with the OKCPS Foundation for the Coat-A-Kid initiative,” said Laura Aufleger, President of OnCue. “Providing coats for students in need is such a simple yet impactful way to show our support, and we are proud to help ensure that thousands of kids will stay warm this winter.”
The OKCPS Foundation continues to accept Coat-A-Kid donations at www.okckids.com/coat-a-kid (http://www.okckids.com/coat-a-kid).
ABOUT THE OKLAHOMA CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
Created in 1984, the Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation is a nonprofit organization with a mission to advance excellence, advocate for equity and build strong community support for lasting success in Oklahoma City Public Schools. The Foundation works closely with the District and business community to align strategies and priorities for sustained performance improvement. Please visit us online at www.okckids.com (http://www.okckids.com/) for more information on our focus areas and volunteer and giving opportunities.
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