Singer Sandi Patty helps boys home
ConcertSandi Patty, friends come to aid of White Fields
BY CARLA HINTON
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Published: October 3, 2009
With a little help from her friends, contemporary Christian recording artist Sandi Patty is coming to the aid of a local home for boys.
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Going on
Sandi Patty and Friends
→When: 7 to 9 p.m. Oct. 13.
→Where: Crossings Community Church, 14600 N Portland.
→Cost: Tickets are $15, $25 and $50. Buy online or at the door.
→Information: www.crossingsokc.org.
In need of friends
Ward said the youths who live at White Fields are some of the most abused and neglected children who are in the permanent custody of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services’ child welfare division. He said the parents of most of them have had their parental rights taken away.
Ward said White Fields was opened in 2000 when he and his father discovered there was a great need for a long-term care facility for the most-troubled boys.
"All the other boys in the state were being helped. This was a hole that needed attention,” he said.
He said the average White Fields resident has been through many foster homes. About 13 boys now live at the home, and it is designed to house boys ranging in age from 8 to 18.
Ward said most of the boys are not able to function in a family or school setting when they arrive at White Fields. He said the home works with the boys to prepare them to live as a family unit with other boys in the home and to go to school.
"These boys have real issues that were not brought on by themselves,” he said.
Ward said he and his family felt that youths who have endured abuse and neglect needed someone to champion their cause, someone to support and aid them as friends would.
In fact, he said, White Fields evolved from his friendship with a young man he met while attending Anderson University in Anderson, Ind. Ward said his friend Frank Alberson had been raised in foster homes and eventually became so close to the Wards that they considered him family.
Ward said Alberson graduated from college and recently become co-director of White Fields. He said through his friendship with Alberson and his desire to help others, White Fields was born.
"It’s always been my heart to help,” he said.
Of Patty’s benefit concert, Ward said he and other White Fields leaders are delighted. After all, Patty, an alumnus of Anderson, already has shown herself to be a friend.
"We know Sandi fairly well,” he said.
"We’re very pleased.”
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Culture and Lifestyle, Relationships, Entertainment, Music, Concerts and Tour Dates, Family, Beauty Pageants, Foster Care, Friendships
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