OKDHS Child Welfare Foster Care division has begun preparation for the upcoming holiday festivities, according to a media release.

This year, Child Welfare Foster Care will provide Christmas for 200 children who have been placed in out-of-home care in Muskogee County.

Muskogee County serves approximately 69,000 people within the 15 towns. These children range in age from birth to 18 years. The common link for these children is that they will not be in their own homes with their families this holiday season.

To ensure that each child in the Muskogee County Foster Care system will have a wonderful Christmas, OKDHS needs the help and financial support of the community.

OKDHS, Muskogee County Foster Care, would like for you to consider giving a donation or selecting a star from one of the seven star trees located at:

• Armstrong Bank, 111 West Broadway.

• Arvest Bank, 735 N. York St.

• Bancfirst, 2400 Old Shawnee Road.

• Bank of America, 230 W. Broadway.

• Citizens Security and Trust, 401 N. Main St.

• Fort Gibson State Bank, 200 S. Lee, Fort Gibson.

• Arrowhead Mall, near Sears.

Cash donations or a check will be accepted. If you send a check, make it out to Muskogee County OKDHS. Any amount you choose to give will be appreciated and is tax deductible. You may also contact the Muskogee County DHS Child Welfare Foster Care Unit to get a star for one of these children. The office is located at 727 S. 32nd St.

The goal is to purchase each of these children two Christmas presents at $30 a piece totaling $60 per child. This makes the overall goal $11,000 by Dec. 10.

“These children are very special in our hearts here at OKDHS and still very special in the hearts of their family and loved one who unfortunately they will not be able to share this Christmas holiday,” Bettie Stevenson said in a media release. “We do not want them forgotten in that these children have been removed from the only environment they know.”