Drink to That

In Tulsa, more than 1,500 children live in Department of Human Services (DHS) foster care, removed from their biological homes because of physical abuse, sexual abuse and/or neglect.

At Urban Tulsa Weekly, these children are close to our hearts. Every year around Christmastime, we sponsor more than 100 of these kids and ask you to donate gifts. And for the second year in a row, we'll support them with a fundraiser to benefit the Tulsa Advocates for the Protection of Children, the non-profit agency that supports the children living in DHS custody.

The fundraiser, Urban Brew Rendezvous, is a beer, wine and spirits tasting at the Cherokee Casino Resort. Local beer, wine and liquor vendors set up samples of their newest and favorite products and, for only $25 per person, Tulsans are invited to sample the spirits and drink for a good cause.

Last year's event raised $5,800 for TAPC, and the money was used to purchase things like school uniforms, prom dresses, sporting equipment, beds, cribs and gift certificates to be given to the kids on their birthdays.

Maura Browne, OKDHS Volunteer/Resource Coordinator, said that the money donated to TAPC is used to provide foster children with things they need to have as normal a life as possible.

"Things we wouldn't think twice about buying for our kids, our foster parents struggle to purchase. We're not talking about anything above and beyond," Browne said. "These are things every normal kid should have."

The average foster parent makes $400 per month, Browne said, and is expected to feed, clothe and provide for a child's (or multiple children's) needs on a meager allowance from DHS. Browne said the parents who struggle most are often kinship foster parents, relatives of children in DHS custody who wish to take care of their younger relatives.

While non-kinship foster parents have already been certified and receive payment from DHS typically about 30 days after welcoming a child into their homes, kinship foster parents have to go through the months of certification and thus don't get paid until 90 days after they've taken on this new responsibility.

"They've already been approved by DHS as a safe place, but they still have to take some classes and get certified," Browne explained. "They have a limited income, but they love and want to protect this child."

When children leave their homes, Browne explained, it is usually quite suddenly, and they do so without packing clothes, toys or other necessities. Those things must now be provided by the foster parents. And they add up. Browne offered an example:

"We placed a sibling group of four with their aunt over the weekend," she said, "and they had nothing. The TAPC funds helped pay for (clothes, toiletries, etc.)."

Browne said TAPC funds are also sometimes used to purchase phone cards and help children stay in touch with parents or relatives who live out of state or overseas. The money is also used to help parents.

"Once their children are removed, parents have to work very hard to get them back, and rightfully so.

She said TAPC funds are also used for psychological exams if one or both parents require but cannot afford them.

Another DHS program, Newborns in Need, works with the University of Phoenix to provide babies with clothes, diapers and wipes. She said DHS is in desperate need for infants' and toddlers' clothes in sizes 24 months and up.

"And we constantly need beds," she added. "A day doesn't go by that I don't need bunk beds or cribs."

Browne said DHS is looking to, in the near future, open a permanent resource center to store donations, where foster parents can show up and get what they need. Then, when their children have outgrown it, they can donate it back for use by another family.

And UTW is proud and excited to be a part of making this happen, to help provide for DHS's children in need and to partner with others in the community to want to make a difference as well.

As stated previously, Cherokee Casino Resort (just off I-44 in Catoosa) is again the site for Urban Brew Rendezvous, donating its space to the event as well as catering.

"Cherokee Casino Resort is strongly committed to the safety and well-being of all citizens in the Tulsa community, including its youngest ones," said Cherokee Casino CEO David Stewart. "We are honored to support such a beneficial and fun event for DHS and the children in their care."

Beverage sponsors scheduled to be at the event include Marshall Brewing, Sante Fe Brewing, Merchant du Vin, Action Liquors, Jarboe, Selected Wines and Spirits, High Gravity, Budweiser, Choc Brewing, Lemp Brewing, StoneWood Coffee and Tea, Thirst Beverage, Oklahoma Beer Imports and Glazers. In addition to Cherokee's catering, Marco's Pizza will be on hand with slices of pie.

Your $25 ticket will not only get you access to all the beer, wine and spirits you can drink, but you'll also be entered in a drawing to win one of these door prizes: a recliner from Sunshine Furniture, a beer or wine-making kit from High Gravity, a gift certificate to Tulsa Glassblowing Studio, a gift certificate to The Spa and, drum roll, a scooter from Tulsa Scooters.

A new addition to this year's event is a fashion show sponsored by All Access Clothing, which will showcase the shop's fall lines. Music will be provided by Mindy Bartlett, Casie Jo Myers.

Doors open at 7pm Sat., Sept. 20. The fashion show begins at 9pm, door prizes are awarded at 9:30pm and the evening reaches its conclusion at 10pm. Get your tickets at All Access, 91st and Memorial, or at UTW by calling 592-5550. They'll also be available at the door to purchase with cash or a credit card.

UTW is excited to again be a part of such a beneficial event, and we hope you'll join us.

If you have any baby, toddler or children's clothing, beds, cribs, sporting equipment, or anything else not of use to you, and you'd like to donate it to children living in foster care, contact Maura Browne at 581-2838 or maura.browne@okdhs.org.

If you're interested in learning how to become a foster parent (of which Browne says DHS is always in dire need), call Foster Care Superviser Eleni Sutton at 581-2822 or E-mail eleni.sutton@okdhs.org.

For more information about Urban Brew Rendezvous or to purchase your ticket, call 592-5550.