Oklahoma City Has a Sweet Tooth for Community Service
August 23, 2019
Editor’s note: This story is part of our “50 Stories of People Helping People” series. As we celebrate Penske’s 50th anniversary in 2019, we are spotlighting associates every Friday who are making a difference in their communities.
<p><a href="https://www.gopenske.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Penske</a> associates in Oklahoma City spent their day volunteering at Oklahoma Kids Korral in July — spreading the sweetness of service.</p><p><a href="https://www.tobykeithfoundation.org/okk/about-okk" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Oklahoma Kids Korral</a> provides daytime and overnight lodging for kids with cancer and their families. Families can stay one night, but some have been at the lodge for over a year. The design of the space is to create a relaxing atmosphere for the entire family.</p><p><img class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="8c1b0ad7d8a3d0d5727fa2453e23d9be" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="670c1" type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMTk5NDU4Ny9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0MDQwNTE2MX0.tXTNH6v8bjgLfrikU4z60au5zoSXkaFa1JS137UHVBs/img.jpg?width=980"/>Associates helped seven families – with 15 kids – decorate cupcakes.</p><p>“Everyone who participated had a blast. We got to hear their stories and how strong these kids are,” said Heather Evans, lease sales representative – existing accounts, at Penske.</p><p>Evans said that Penske chose the Oklahoma Kids Korral event because it ties into a toy drive they also do at the OU Children’s Hospital each year.</p><p>Penske Clerk Rhianna Halley is a baker on the side, which was perfect for the event.</p><p>Penske brought the cupcakes to the event, along with decorating items such as icing and sprinkles, so that the families could just show up and enjoy the event.</p><p>“The best part was seeing these kids’ creativity come to life. They were so talented and so willing to learn from Rhianna,” Evans said.</p><p><img class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="fd789a29cfb5d8544338f1ea7c98e77f" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="8cf5b" type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMTk5NDU4OC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYzMjE1NDMyOH0.9k5ouilDNthqmY8EKBIZzG4V2cCPu5oJlOvz2MKg2UQ/img.jpg?width=980"/>Jeff Bowers, a Penske maintenance supervisor, said that the best part was seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces.</p><p>“This event meant a lot to me as a cancer survivor and also having seen children going through their cancer treatment care while I was going through mine,” Bowers said. “I got to talk to a lot of the kids and their parents about some of their experiences and also mine. As a company we were excited to do this event to help uplift their spirits.”</p><p>Evans emphasized the importance of helping the community you live in.</p><p>“Investing in our communities helps create a better world than we live in today,” she said. "We want to change lives for the better.”</p><p><em>By Emma Creamer, Communications and Public Relations Intern</em></p></div>
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