Many families are celebrating Father's Day today but for some dads the reach extends beyond children who aren't biologically theirs. Living rooms at the Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children are filled with dads that are caring for children not related to them. Wesley Morehead and his wife, Carol, have been house parents for 12 years now and the kids love them just like parents.
"When I walked into church all my boys came over and wished me a Happy Father's Day and that was just pretty special," says Wesley Morehead, house parent.
This home is funded solely on donations and the summer months are lean. Priorities shift and it's a time is when people forget about them.
"Summertime is a time they are busy with their own families and vacations and things like that and we are trying to provide those same opportunities for our kids here," says Vanessa Kehl, Assistant Administrator.
The home provides summer programs to get them out of the house and volunteering is part of that.
"It's a great way for them to learn that they aren't the only ones who are struggling and maybe they are going to help at the food bank or maybe a mission downtown," says Kehl.
The Morehead's were not able to have children of their own, so they adopted one of the boys from the home. They say it's about giving these kids new opportunities, not just on Father's Day but everyday.
"It has taken fathering to a whole new level. When you are a house parent, I would say things are different in the way you think about things and when I became a parent all of a sudden things became just more heavy and weighted," says Morehead.
If you would like to donate the Baptist Children's Home is located at 12700 E 76th St. N. Owasso, OK 74055. There number is 918-272-2233.
