Special CASA Awards and Recognition
Mike & Karen Campbell the Lela Roddy Special Recognition Award
Please accept our nomination of Mike & Karen Campbell for the Lela Roddy Special Recognition Award. With pleasure I write this about Karen Campbell & her wonderfully witty husband, Mike. We nominated Mike & Karen last year and intend to do so until they are chosen because we firmly believe they deserve this award.
It all begins in 2000 when Karen first applied to become a CASA volunteer. In 2001 Karen was sworn in & worked diligently for CASA until 2003 when she was no longer able to volunteer but vowed she wanted to continue to support CASA any way she could. In the meantime Karen introduced the CASA staff to Mike. Mike was a photographer & lived in Kansas. Shortly after meeting Mike we were thrilled to hear that Mike & Karen would be starting their own photography business, MK’s Photography, & Mike would be moving to Stillwater. We later find out Mike & Karen got married & the second part of our story begins!
Immediately they wanted to know how they could help CASA & they offered to take pictures at our annual fundraising gala. They not only took ‘party pics’ but also took portraits of the couples at the gala & then gave a portion of the money they made from the portraits to benefit CASA! They did all of this & also donated photo packages as auction items. We used their pictures for our thank you ads in the local newspapers. They didn’t stop there; they also offered to take pictures at our recognition & awards dinner! The pictures were a big hit & again we used the pictures in the newspaper to thank and congratulate everyone.
In 2006 we were on our third year of having MK’s provide all our photography needs- they were at every fundraiser & every appreciation party. They even came to our office two years in a row for our Christmas party & took the volunteer’s pictures with Santa! Each volunteer received their photo and the photos were later used in our appreciation party slide show. We also took a group picture with Santa that later appeared in the NewsPress so CASA could gain more exposure.
It’s no secret that Mike & Karen are CASA supporters- they let it be known that they believe in CASA & its cause. When our program had some rocky times in 2005 Mike & Karen were there offering their support to the staff & the program. Karen & Mike made sure when they heard people talking that they cleared the air for CASA & they offered to take pictures for stories or events we were doing to get positive publicity about CASA & its mission back in the mainstream.
Payne County CASA participates in the Payne County Adoption party each year by having a booth for the kids. Typically everyone does a booth with a game & gives toys or candy. For the last two years, because we wanted to do something more meaningful we have worked with Mike & Karen (of course) & now have the most popular booth called, “You Oughta Be in Pictures.” Karen & Mike bring out all their camera equipment, props, and costumes. Cosmetology students get the kids all gussied up before they have their picture made. Their pictures are given to them that day! It gets better- we also take pictures of sibling groups. Each child receives their own picture & each sibling receives a picture of their sibling group. The kids are always elated! Children in foster care seldom have childhood pictures or any photographs of themselves or their siblings or family. With MK’s help we made a difference by providing more than 200 photographs to children two years running & it’s just a given that we will have Mike & Karen’s commitment to do it again each year! Most importantly, because the situations and identities of these children are confidential Mike and Karen receive no publicity or press for doing this work other than our program thanking them. They are doing this for the right reasons. Giving the children an ever lasting and happy memory they can hold in their hands and look at anytime they need a boost is the reason Mike and Karen are there. Surely you’re thinking that must be all- but
