“Kids in Crisis” backpacks providing comfort to local children

(TULSA, Okla.) A joint effort led by Joy in the Cause, a local nonprofit, is bringing comfort to Tulsa kids in need. Organizers said backpacks containing things like blankets, toys, coloring books and crayons along with hygiene items and clothes were put together and delivered to Tulsa police officers this week. The group also puts together backpacks for older kids and diaper bags for babies and toddlers. “Over 23 schools are involved in this project currently and it touches many at risk students,” Joy in the Cause Founder and Director Lisa Bain said. “We have Tulsa Police officers that go with us to speak to the students and this helps with the way police are viewed by students. Police are even offering ride-alongs with the students for them to see first hand what they do, where these backpacks go, and once again to help the relationship on how they view first responders.” Bain thanked the first responders and schools, and also thanked QuikTrip who she identified as one of their biggest sponsors making these moments possible. She said 1,500 backpacks will be going out in the first quarter of 2019 alone, more than 600 of those to TPD. Nearly 5,000 backpacks went out to 19 Oklahoma counties in 2018. According to their website, Joy in the Cause is a non profit 501c3 organization serving individuals and families facing life altering situations, one package of care at a time. You can find more information about their current projects here: http://joyinthecause.org/