NORMAN — The Mary Abbott Children's House has provided a safe, homelike environment for abused children for years. Now, the nonprofit agency can truly call its house a home.
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The Mary Abbott Children's House has been leasing a historic home at 231 E Symmes St. from Hiland Dairy. Hiland donated the house to the agency Tuesday and turned over the deed to the property.
"This is a really exciting day for us,” said Jeannine Baker, Abbott House executive director. "We've dreamed about this.”
The Abbott House launched a fundraising campaign in 2006 to raise money to buy the house and build an addition on the property. Hiland Dairy's donation will take a big financial burden off of the agency and allow it to focus on other projects, Baker said.
Mary Abbott Children's House is an advocacy center for children who are involved in suspected cases of sexual or physical abuse or neglect.
The agency provides a place where children can be interviewed in a child-friendly setting and offers counseling for victims and their families.
After meeting with the nonprofit's board of directors and hearing about the agency's work, Hiland Dairy president Gary Aggus said the corporation decided to make the donation because it wants to ensure the Abbott House will be there for future generations.
Hiland Dairy is based in Springfield, Mo. It has a manufacturing plant in downtown Norman, across the street from the Abbott House. Hiland purchased property around the plant, including the Abbott House, several years ago for future expansion.
Mary Abbott Children's House is continuing with its plan for expansion. The agency began construction of a 3,000-square-foot addition to the house in May. Last year, more than 700 children were seen at the center, officials said.
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An artist's drawing shows how an addition under construction will connect to Mary Abbott Children's House, 231 E Symmes, in Norman. DRAWING PROVIDED BY MARY ABBOTT CHILDREN'S HOUSE
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