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<P><FONT FACE="Arial">I have an experience to share with the OASFAA membership that I hope will bring a smile to many. </FONT>
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<P><FONT FACE="Arial">Yesterday was a day for mentors to bring children to the CCC Resource Center for back-to-school "shopping." Having recently become a mentor to a five-year old boy, I arranged to pick him up and head that way. They have shoes, socks, underwear, jeans, pants, and tops arranged just like a department store. There is a good variety (all tasteful, all new) to choose from, and the children are encouraged to pick out things that they like. They have dressing areas and a mirror so the kids can try clothes on to make sure they find just the right outfit.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT FACE="Arial">After they complete their apparel selections, their items are "sacked up" and they proceed to the sticker and candy room for a short visit with one of the CCC staff members. They have a basket of videos, and the children are invited to pick out two to take with them. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT FACE="Arial">Next a volunteer in the School Supply Room greeted each child, grabbed a list of their needs according to grade level, and escorted them to a<B> </B></FONT><B><FONT COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial">HUGE MOUNTAIN OF BACKPACKS</FONT></B> <FONT FACE="Arial">where the child made their selection. My little guy picked out a Transformers backpack and was quite excited about his choice -- who knows, maybe you donated that Transformers backpack :-). They then proceeded around the room loading the backpack with supplies, and ended at a rack of books where the child was invited to select a book to take with them. I did not see a child in there who was not smiling. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT FACE="Arial">I was so very proud of the work OASFAA has done to accumulate those backpacks and other items we make a game of competing to collect at our conferences. It's surely not a game for these kids, and I just wanted you to know I saw the happy results of OASFAA's efforts on behalf of CCC, and I hope your great efforts will continue.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT SIZE=6 FACE="Script MT Bold">Shiela Joyner</FONT>
<BR><FONT FACE="Arial">Director, Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant Program</FONT>
<BR><FONT FACE="Arial">Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education</FONT>
<BR><FONT FACE="Arial">PO Box 108850</FONT>
<BR><FONT FACE="Arial">Oklahoma City, OK 73101-8850</FONT>
<BR><FONT FACE="Arial">Internet: sjoyner@otag.org</FONT>
<BR><FONT FACE="Arial">Voice: 405.225.9378 or Toll Free 877.662.6231</FONT>
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