Oklahoma City --" Cathy Riggins of Frederick, Oklahoma and Susan Sharp of Tipton, Oklahoma are being honored by the State Office of Juvenile Affairs for their outstanding volunteer efforts," announced Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) Executive Director Richard DeLaughter. "They will also be honored with legislative citations from Senator Gilmer Capps and Representative Loyd Benson."

Mrs. Cathy Riggins has provided volunteer services to the Office of Juvenile Affairs' Southwest Oklahoma Juvenile Center since 1997. Mrs. Riggins organized a group of women from Frederick First United Methodist Church and they wrapped Christmas presents and sewed stockings for all the residents at the center. Mrs. Riggins also serves of the facility's advisory board.

Mrs. Susan Sharp has provided volunteer services at Southwest Oklahoma Juvenile Center since 2000. Mrs. Sharp conducts a weekly Bible study at the center, mentors residents and helps organize community service projects for the youth at the center.

Oklahoma City --" Tonya Gifford-James, Carlos Lozano and Danielle Shaughnessy of Shawnee, Oklahoma are being honored by the State Office of Juvenile Affairs for their outstanding volunteer efforts," announced Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) Executive Director Richard DeLaughter. "They will also be honored with legislative citations from Senator Brad Henry and Representative Kris Steele."

Tonya Gifford-James has provided volunteer services to the Office of Juvenile Affairs Central Oklahoma Juvenile Center since 2001. Ms. Gifford-James has assisted with fundraising efforts, conducted parenting courses and serves on the center's Citizen Advisory Board.

Carlos Lozano has provided volunteer services to the Office of Juvenile Affairs Central Oklahoma Juvenile Center since 1997. Mr. Lozano has donated gift certificates, zoo passes and other special events tickets for residents and staff.

Danielle Shaughnessy has provided volunteer services to the Office of Juvenile Affairs Pottawatomie County Juvenile Services Unit since 1998. She has solicited donations from community members to provide clothing and special needs for youth throughout the year, especially at Christmas.

Oklahoma City --" Advance Foods, Fairview Mennonite Youth Group, Donald L. Kirkpatrick and Bob Klemme are being honored by the State Office of Juvenile Affairs for their outstanding volunteer efforts," announced Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) Executive Director Richard DeLaughter.

Advance Foods has provided volunteer services to the Office of Juvenile Affairs Enid Boys Group Home since 1998. Advance Foods has donated food items and provided winter coats to the residents of the group home. Advance Foods will also be honored with legislative citations from Senator Robert Milacek and Representative Mike O'Neal.

Fairview Mennonite Youth Group has provided volunteer services to the Office of Juvenile Affairs Enid Boys Group Home since 1998. Every Christmas Fairview Mennonite Youth Group provides a dinner with music and games along with a handmade quilt for each resident. Fairview Mennonite Youth Group will also be honored with legislative citations from Senator Paul Muegge and Representative Elmer Maddux.

Donald L. Kirkpatrick has provided volunteer services to the Office of Juvenile Affairs Enid Boys Group Home since 1999. Mr. Kirkpatrick has donated fishing and camping equipment, as well as groceries, clothing and other household items to the group home. Mr. Kirkpatrick will also be honored with legislative citations from Senator J. Berry Harrison and Representative Dale DeWitt.

Bob Klemme has provided volunteer services to the Office of Juvenile Affairs Enid Boys Group Home, Foss Lake Adventure Program and Ghost Mound Adventure Program since 1998. Mr. Klemme has given educational talks to the youth in these programs on the history of the Chisholm Trail and other great western cattle trails. Mr. Klemme will also be honored with legislative citations from Senator Robert Milacek and Representative Curt Roggow.

Oklahoma City --"Debbie Jabben of Bartlesville, Oklahoma is being honored by the State Office of Juvenile Affairs for her outstanding volunteer efforts," announced Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) Executive Director Richard DeLaughter. "She will also be honored with legislative citations from Senator Jim Dunlap and Representative Mike Wilt."

Mrs. Jabben has been a volunteer with the Office of Juvenile Affairs' Washington County Juvenile Services Unit since 1987. Mrs. Jabben has worked to ensure that OJA clients and foster children in Washington County are not forgotten at Christmas and that they are provided with Christmas gifts.

Oklahoma City --"Dr. J.C. Phillips of Weatherford, Oklahoma is being honored by the State Office of Juvenile Affairs for his outstanding volunteer efforts," announced Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) Executive Director Richard DeLaughter. "He will also be honored with legislative citations from Senator Robert Kerr and Representative James Covey."

Dr. Phillips has been a volunteer with the Office of Juvenile Affairs' Blaine County Juvenile Services Unit since 2001. Dr. Phillips donated his services to two Blaine County youth who were in need of emergency dental care.

Oklahoma City --"Kairos Torch of Lawton, Oklahoma is being honored by the State Office of Juvenile Affairs for its outstanding volunteer efforts," announced Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) Executive Director Richard DeLaughter. "They will also be honored with legislative citations from Senator Sam Helton and Representative Loyd Benson."

Kairos Torch has provided volunteer services to the Office of Juvenile Affairs' Southwest Oklahoma Juvenile Center in Manitou since 2000. Kairos Torch averages 20 volunteers at monthly visits to the center and approximately 15 serve as mentors for residents participating in Torch.

Oklahoma City --"Kimberly D. Lively of Guymon, Oklahoma is being honored by the State Office of Juvenile Affairs for her outstanding volunteer efforts," announced Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) Executive Director Richard DeLaughter. "She will also be honored with legislative citations from Senator Owen Laughlin and Representative Jack Begley."

Mrs. Lively has been a volunteer with the Office of Juvenile Affairs' Texas County Juvenile Services Unit since 1998. She has provided transportation for state custody youth and has been a willing volunteer whenever she has been called.

Oklahoma City --" James and Leslye Leslie of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma are being honored by the State Office of Juvenile Affairs for their outstanding volunteer efforts," announced Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) Executive Director Richard DeLaughter. "They will also be honored with legislative citations from Senator Scott Pruitt and Representative Dennis Adkins."

Mr. and Mrs. Leslie have provided volunteer services to the Office of Juvenile Affairs' L.E. Rader Center in Sand Springs since 2000. Mr. and Mrs. Leslie have served as Rectors for Kairos Torch weekends at the center, provided mentoring services for residents and donated food and other supplies for the Torch weekends.

Oklahoma City --" James and Marilyn Mullins of Owasso, Oklahoma are being honored by the State Office of Juvenile Affairs for their outstanding volunteer efforts," announced Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) Executive Director Richard DeLaughter. "They will also be honored with legislative citations from Senator Grover Campbell and Representative John Smaligo."

Mr. and Mrs. Mullins have provided volunteer services to the Office of Juvenile Affairs' L.E. Rader Center in Sand Springs since 1997. Mr. and Mrs. Mullins have served as Rectors for Kairos Torch weekends at the center, provided mentoring services for residents and donated food for the Torch weekends.

Oklahoma City --"J.W. and Mary Jo Parker of Yukon, Oklahoma are being honored by the State Office of Juvenile Affairs for their outstanding volunteer efforts," announced Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) Executive Director Richard DeLaughter. "They will also be honored with legislative citations from Senator Mike Johnson and Representative Ray Young ."

Mr. and Mrs. Parker have provided volunteer services to the Office of Juvenile Affairs Oklahoma County Juvenile Services Unit, Foss Lake Adventure Program, Ghost Mound Adventure Program and Vision Quest since 1996. Mr. and Mrs. Parker have given educational talks to the youth in these programs about Jesse Chisholm and the Chisholm Trail at actual historic sites.

Oklahoma City --"Pat Strickland of Byars, Oklahoma is being honored by the State Office of Juvenile Affairs for her outstanding volunteer efforts," announced Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) Executive Director Richard DeLaughter. "She will also be honored with legislative citations from Senator Jonathon Nichols and Representative Danny Hilliard."

Mrs. Strickland has been a volunteer with the Office of Juvenile Affairs' Lawton Boys Group Home since 1998. She has spoken to the residents about historic sites on the Chisholm Trail and about Indian customs. Mrs. Strickland is Jesse Chisholm's great, great granddaughter.

Oklahoma City --" Jason Head, Roger Jones, Mark Kisner, Kenneth Silver, Eric Young and Alcoholics Anonymous are being honored by the State Office of Juvenile Affairs for their outstanding volunteer efforts," announced Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) Executive Director Richard DeLaughter. "Each will also be honored with legislative citations from Senator Herb Rozell and Representative Jim Wilson.

Jason Head has been a volunteer with the Office of Juvenile Affairs' Tenkiller Adventure Program since 2001. Mr. Head is a student at Northeastern State University and has provided individual and group counseling to the residents in the program.

Roger Jones has been a volunteer with the Tenkiller Program since 2001. Mr. Jones facilitates weekly Bible study groups, giving residents opportunity for spiritual growth.

Mark Kisner has been a volunteer with the Tenkiller Program since 2001. Mr. Kisner is a student at Northeastern State University and provides counseling to the youth in the program.

Kenneth Silver has been a volunteer with the Tenkiller Program since 2000. He facilitates Bible study groups, focusing on drug and alcohol issues of concern to the residents.

Eric Young has been a volunteer with the Tenkiller Program since 2001. He has provided counseling to the residents and voluntarily wrote a grant to help repair the program's rope course.

Alcoholics Anonymous has provided weekly AA/NA groups for the Tenkiller Program since 2000. AA plays a major role in helping the residents have a desire to stay drug free, learning how to do so and where they can find support.

"Although we have hundreds of volunteers in our field offices and facilities, we try to honor those who have sacrificed a great deal and shown exceptional service to our troubled youth. This is but a small way to say thank you," stated DeLaughter.

A ceremony will be held April 25, at 1:30 p.m. in the State Capitol Blue Room. During the ceremony, the Office of Juvenile Affairs will honor 28 outstanding volunteers from across the state for their service to Oklahoma's youth.