Oklahoma Awesomesauce
In its most recent quarterly revision, the Oxford dictionary recognized a new word: awesomesauce.
This is a real thing. Awesomesauce is officially a word. Some will deplore the seemingly rapid descent of intellect: others will celebrate the funny banter of the English language. Regardless of your perspective, awesomesauce is officially defined as “extremely good” or “excellent”.
With that in mind, we have a serious case of awesomesauce in Oklahoma.
In a recent CarePortal request, a social worker noted the following:
During the course of working with a local family, we have been made aware of a need. Does your congregation or group have a handy-man, home re-modeler, or someone who can help with a carpentry task? If so, you could help this family in a way that would truly increase a child’s quality of life. We met a 7-year-old living life confined to a wheelchair or walker due to Cerebral Palsy. This request is for a wheelchair ramp for the family home. A simple ramp would allow this child to exit the home without having to be carried down the steps.
A church stepped up to meet the need. A member of the congregation had the necessary skill set to design and to construct a ramp.
The same social worker, though, still struggled to secure funds to purchase the materials to build the ramp. So what did she do? She submitted a second request! In the second request, she stated:
We had asked for assistance in building a wheelchair ramp, which would provide a young child with Cerebral Palsy a sense of normalcy and independence, allowing the kiddo to play outside with siblings and enjoy some fresh air, rather than being cooped up inside the home. Thanks to your generosity, we now have a commitment to get the ramp built. However, we still need the building materials, or funding to buy the materials, which is estimated at $300 to $500. Please consider helping to fund the completion of this project for a special needs child. Your help is greatly appreciated!
A different church in Duncan, OK, responded to this request.
Would the child have a ramp if not for the collaboration and cooperation between child welfare agencies and multiple churches?
It’s a lovely picture: two different churches, two different denominations, two different types of resources, but one purpose. The child with Cerebral Palsy received not only a ramp but a sense of independence. The family and the social worker could recognize the unifying factor of these separate bodies of believers: Jesus Christ. The churches worked together to meet the needs of one of their community members.
That’s Oklahoma awesomesauce.
Wish to make your own brand of awesomesauce? Want additional information on how to engage your church in CarePortal? Contact us here for additional information.