SAPULPA, Okla. — The treehouse at Dad’s Place in Sapulpa is all finished and it’s a big hit with the kids.
“It’s always fun. We always want to come down here. The little kids love it. There’s going to be a lot of tag out here and hide-and-go-seek and stuff,” said Hope Harrelson, the founder’s daughter.
The treehouse features swings, a slide and a climbing wall.
It was made possible by Red Crown Credit Union, Bearded Brothers Woodworks and Lowe’s.
Jeremy Daggs with Red Crown Credit Union said they believe in helping kids in the community.
“They are going to be running this world when you and I are no longer here. So, they need to be brought up in a loving and caring place,” said Daggs.
The treehouse will also be a place where prospective parents can spend time playing with and getting to know the kids who need them.
Dad’s Place held a special event to dedicate the treehouse and raise awareness.
David Harrelson founded Dad’s Place to give kids in the foster care system a safe fun place to live while waiting for their forever homes.
“There’s 7,000 kids in the State of Oklahoma that really need forever homes,” said Harrelson.
Harrelson said he is worried about kids aging out of the foster care system without being adopted.
“These kids, we don’t want them to age out without a family. They need a place to go for Thanksgiving, for Christmas, to celebrate birthdays,” he said.
Harrelson’s daughter, Hope, was 4-and-a-half when she was placed in foster care.
She told FOX23 about her sister’s struggle.
“My older sister, she was put in foster care, and she was in and out of homes, and eventually she grew out. And, right now she has a 2-year-old son. I feel like with somebody taking a kid out their rough situations and bringing them into a home that actually loves them. It helps a lot and reassures them,” said Hope.
Harrelson and his wife adopted Hope, saving her from a life of constantly moving and eventually aging out.
Hope said finding her forever family meant the world to her.
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