News
BBBSOK Receives $100,000 Endowment Donation
12/01/2006
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma received a $100,000 endowment donation from an anonymous donor. The gift was made in honor of Marine Lance Corporal Cody W. Hill of Ada and all of the men and women serving in the armed forces.
The 23 year old was seriously injured September 4 when the vehicle in which he was riding with three other soldiers was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED). The explosion killed the other soldiers including Jared Shoemaker, a Marine reservist and Tulsa police officer. Hill was hit by shrapnel and suffered burns over 50% of his body from the attack. He is recovering from his wounds at the Brooke Army Medical Center in Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
The donor said, “I made this gift to underscore how important it is to think about others. Cody and our other brave soldiers illustrate this every day. They give of themselves unselfishly. I could think of no better organization to receive this gift than Big Brothers Big Sisters for it too has day to day heroes who make a difference in the lives of children all across Oklahoma.”
Seven Big Brothers Big Sisters sites in Oklahoma merged in January of 2006 to form Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma. The organization’s vision is to provide a Big Brother or Big Sister for every Oklahoma child who needs and wants one.
Sharla Hall, Vice President for Resource Development said, “Our need is for funding and volunteers who give of their time for the benefit of mentoring kids at risk. This gift will be put to good use as it helps us serve more Oklahoma children. It is especially meaningful since it honors the major sacrifices made by our men and women in the armed forces and especially Cody W. Hill, a very brave Oklahoman.”