VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT DON CRETSINGER

Serving others is a calling for Don Cretsinger, one that is met by offering his time, expertise and kindness of heart.

“Everyone has passions in their life… Mine has always been folks in poverty and those struggling, specifically with homelessness, serving others and helping those that have a lot of disadvantages in their lives,” Cretsinger shared. “It is an opportunity to minister to folks and show them respect and kindness.”

After retiring from running his own commercial construction company, Sun Construction Services, for 48 years and pastoring and volunteering in different areas, Cretsinger found he had more time to devote to serving in another capacity: at Food and Shelter in Norman.

“I have been given so much in life. I don’t get to take any of that with me, and I’m happy to give it back,” Cretsinger said.

With his construction background, he expected to be helping with maintenance and fixing things up when he began volunteering at Food and Shelter in January 2023. However, he ended up helping in the kitchen and before long was out on the floor serving as well. Now, he serves most mornings.

Cretsinger was nominated for our spotlight by Jess Alvarez, Food and Shelter’s kitchen manager.

“He is possibly the most selfless person I’ve ever met. He will jump in, roll his sleeves up, and do anything without even being asked,” she said.

Alvarez shared a piece of Cretsinger’s advice to highlight his impact: “You just have to smile and say hi to everyone and that makes it so much easier.”

“Don’s just a good soul. On top of helping us, he just finished building for the OKC Dream Center,” she added. “He brings a brightness to people, to our staff, to the whole building.”

Alvarez said Cretsinger jumps in wherever he is needed. He gathered her extra volunteers that were available, grabbed his tools, and fixed a door frame that had broken. He sees a problem and finds a solution.

Many that come to Food and Shelter are in survival mode, needing their basic needs met. Cretsinger affectionately described Food and Shelter’s process in aiding individuals and families as not only meeting their immediate needs, but also bridging the gaps to help them thrive as well.

“I get as much blessing out of this as I can give to someone else, I guarantee you,” Cretsinger explained. Cretsinger and his family have lived in Noble for the past 47 years. He formed several relationships in the Norman community while serving with the Noble Chamber of Commerce for about a decade, through his business clients, and his involvement with church groups and Noble schools. He and his wife have four kids and nine grandkids and love to host events and opportunities for outreach at their accommodating home acreage as well.

Cretsinger now serves on the Noble Planning Commission, the zoning board and is president of the OKC Dream Center board as well.

Before serving at Food and Shelter, he worked as an associate pastor at the Kingdom City Church in Oklahoma City and the Dream Center associated with it for four years. The Dream Center has a transitional living center for men coming out of drug programs or prison and aids them in replanting with their families and getting them back into their communities, as well as other services to reach those in poverty and at risk. After finishing up his work with the Dream Center in December, he made the move to volunteer with Food and Shelter in Norman.

When asked what advice he would give to those looking to volunteer, Cretsinger explained that “everyone has passions in life that they pursue, things that matter to them. I tell everyone to go ahead and take a risk, step out and pursue that passion.”

He attributes some of his advice to a team leader’s perspective during years of traveling to Haiti on missions. “Take a small step. Just give it a try and if that doesn’t work, try something else,” he shared. “Just help one person at a time. You can’t solve big issues in one big swoop, but you can make a difference in one person’s life at a time.”– BSM

Annual OU Coaches Luncheon to Benefit Area Kids in Need

Fostering Futures’ annual OU Coaches Luncheon, on July 27 at Life.Church in Norman, gives Sooner fans a sneak peek at the upcoming football season and a fun way to support the local nonprofit.

Fostering Futures, previously known as the Citizens Advisory Board, started in 1989 as a Secret Santa program to provide Christmas presents for children in foster care in Cleveland County. The organization has since grown to include additional programs, all with the mission “to provide financial and emotional support for children and their families who receive services from the Cleveland County Child Welfare System.”

Each year, Foster Futures hosts the OU Coaches Luncheon, which serves as the nonprofit’s primary fundraiser. From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on July 27, attendees will hear from Oklahoma Football Head Coach Brent Venables, as he shares what he is expecting for this upcoming season. The luncheon will also include a live auction and the Randy Laffoon 50/50 Raffle.

Money raised during the luncheon supports the organization’s various programs, said Sue Durrett, who has been with Fostering Futures since its inception and is the current executive director.

In 2019, Fostering Futures expanded their programs and took over the Luggage of Love program, which provides emergency clothing for children upon request. When children are entering a new placement, they can receive a suitcase with two outfits, a pair of pajamas, shoes and either a coat, jacket or swimsuit, depending upon the season. The luggage also includes a personal hygiene kit, blanket and toy or book.

Another resource is their basic needs program, which provides various items to support families including beds, car seats and gas cards. Additionally, Foster Futures provides financial support for the cost of extracurricular activity participation or a summer camp to allow foster children to build community connections.

Durrett shared a story about a girl who was placed with a family that was active in FFA. The girl wanted to raise a pig through the organization, so Fostering Futures paid for half the pig, with the joke being they are not sure if they paid for the front half or the back, and the foster parents paid for the other half.

“Anything that helps (foster kids) with making connections and establishing roots so they can grow, that’s what we want to do,” Durrett explained.

Through the first Secret Santa event, Fostering Futures served just under 70 kids. Last year through Secret Santa, basic needs and Luggage of Love, the nonprofit served over 2,100, Durrett said, highlighting the nonprofit’s growth. Fostering Futures also facilitates a teen support group, which assists youth ages 15 to 18 as they plan and prepare to transition out of foster care.

If anyone is interested in volunteering or donating to Fostering Futures, more information can be found at the organization’s website or Facebook page. Durrett explained that most volunteers are needed during Secret Santa season to help set up and distribute gifts to foster parents.

In addition to monetary donations, Fostering Futures will sometimes request donations of specific inventory, especially for the Luggage with Love program. You can find those needs online or on social media.

Through all of their programs, Fostering Futures remains dedicated to remaining anonymous to the children. For example, Durrett said if the organization is paying for summer camps, the check will go directly to the camp or the foster parents.

“We don’t want it set up where they feel like they’re getting charity,” Durrett explained. “They don’t need to know where it comes from, they just need to be kids and explore life.”– BSM