2025 Homecoming Philanthropy project

Each year, Oklahoma Christian University brings its community together during homecoming—not only to celebrate school pride but also to support important causes that make a difference locally. This year, Oklahoma Christian’s homecoming philanthropy project shines a spotlight on the Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma (DSACO), a dedicated nonprofit working to raise awareness, provide vital resources, and promote acceptance and inclusion for individuals with down syndrome. The co-directors tackling philanthropy this year are juniors Kourtney Willingham and Claudia Morrison.

“Knowing that all of this is going to go towards an organization that I know does so much good for so many people makes it fun. I think sometimes, at least in my daily life, I’m extremely blessed that I don’t think about the people who have ongoing illnesses or ongoing diagnoses whereas DSACO addresses those people every single day,” Willingham said. “Yet, they provide resources for those people. I’m happy that I can do something to give back to them, because I know how much hard work they do.”

Willingham works closely with DSACO, collaborating directly with them to coordinate and prepare the various aspects of the homecoming philanthropy project. Morrison focuses on working with the university’s clubs, assisting them in organizing and managing their fundraising efforts. 

“It’s been really fun just helping the clubs get to where they need to be. In the past, the homecoming philanthropy has been on campus, but since last year’s spring sing philanthropy was on campus last year, we’re doing our homecoming project off campus,” Morrison said.

All funds that are raised through the Oklahoma Christian homecoming philanthropy project will be donated directly to DSACO. This means every dollar contributed by participants, clubs, and donors will go straight to supporting DSACO’s programs and initiatives. These funds are used to provide vital resources, raise awareness, and enhance services for individuals with down syndrome and their families in the Central Oklahoma community.

“All of the money is going straight to DSACO. The clubs aren’t really getting anything out of it. So really, they’re just supporting DSACO to the fullest. The clubs will have one event or service and then they are providing a basket for the silent auction, and then they can provide baked goods for the bake sale. So, there’s all these different things we’re doing, silent auction, bake sale, and then all the club services. So that’s how we’re raising the money,” Morrison said.

Willingham added, “What I am most excited about is that I’ve got to tell a lot of people about this organization, because I don’t feel like a lot of people know about them. It’s great getting to inform people about this organization, and how essential it is for a lot of different families.”