‍Kids’ Chance of Oklahoma (KCOK) has much to be thankful for as the year winds down. They have more than doubled their student scholarships year-over-year and hosted their most impactful event to date, bringing together 320 people and raising $110,000 for their mission.

The event was hosted at Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa, OK, which is owned by a workers’ compensation doctor and his sons — loyal supporters of the Kids’ Chance mission. Forty tables were sold and sponsorships were sold out for the event, with community involvement beyond Tulsa — a testament to KCOK’s goal of expansion into Oklahoma City.

At the event, KCOK featured live music and both a live and silent auction with donated goods and services from the community. Volunteers from the worker’s compensation industry shared ideas they had seen from other state organizations to help plan the event, with more than 25 volunteers lending a hand. Scholarship recipients shared the impact Kids’ Chance has had on their educational journey.

“It’s rewarding to see how grateful the applicants are,” KCOK Scholarship Chair Brandon Burton says. “One of our students shared his story and it was incredibly impactful. It was clear that he probably wouldn’t be going to college if not for Kids’ Chance — it changed his life and that’s pretty special.

”Everything seems to be coming together this year for KCOK, so how have they done it? President Christina Toon credits a highly-engaged board and a Kids’ Chance of America (KCOA) scholarship call earlier in 2022. On the call, which Brandon attended, state organizations shared successful tactics they were using in their communities.

KCOK took what they learned and put it into practice. They cleaned up the corporate side of their organization, made sure they were buttoned-up and compliant, and then looked outward. They began expanding their marketing efforts, highlighting student stories in media kits and on social media.

One impactful tactic KCOK shares is a brochure they developed that board members distribute in doctors offices, judges, claimant attorneys offices — even across the aisle in trial. The brochure highlights the Kids’ Chance mission and has a QR code that sends people directly to their website.

“It is the most rewarding thing to see the fruits of the passion come around like it did this year,” Christina says. “And we’ve had so much fun doing it!”

‍Photo: Kids' Chance of Oklahoma President Christina Toon at the Rockin' the Cain's event with her father.