The first week of October, a request went live on Care Portal that would break anyone’s heart.
MJ, is an 8 year old girl who has been sleeping in different foster homes at night and spending her days in the DHS office. Her case worker placed the request on Care Portal, that MJ’s only wish was to have a real birthday. These are the types of request that cannot be met by DHS. This is why the Care Portal is invaluable.
Here is what the case worker had to say:
“Could you help us celebrate MJ’s birthday by providing her with some birthday presents and a cake for her 8th birthday? Her requests are $8 to spend, birthday balloons, Frozen legos, My little ponies, a fishing pole, Disney princess dress up dresses, a chocolate cake, “Kool-Aid man juices” (as she calls them; she likes flavors-grape, blueberry, cherry). We would also like to request a gift card for the family to take her somewhere special for her birthday, maybe Elevation trampoline park in Edmond? We would also like a prayer request specific to finding this sweet girl the perfect foster home.”
$8 to spend. How many of your children would ask for only $8? How about Kool-Aid juices? How many of those items do your children have in abundance?
This is where the church (Life Church and Council Road Baptist Church) is able to make an incredible impact. Not only was this request met, but the response far exceeded anyone’s hopes.
MJ had an incredible birthday. Elevation Trampoline Park in Edmond donated her birthday party. The temporary foster parent’s life group stepped up and all brought their children to the party so MJ could enjoy a REAL birthday party, with friends to celebrate her as well.
More than a birthday party filled with things, MJ was given a gift that can’t be replaced. She was given a day to be a normal child. She was told over and over by the actions of the church that she was loved, valued and worth caring for.
The request for prayers wasn’t unmet either. MJ has been placed with a more permanent foster home.
This little girl received a gift no one could have expected because the Care Portal connected a problem to a solution.