Kirk Hammons: a mother, wife, community volunteer, and a dear friend to Infant Crisis Services. Together, Kirk and her late husband of 50 years, Royce, built an incredibly full life in Oklahoma City as parents, neighbors, and supporters of a variety of organizations.
“Through my travels I’ve found that people and cultures differ greatly, but we all have one underlying thing in common: we all have a need to give and receive love.”
For more than a decade, Kirk has given love to the infants and toddlers of Infant Crisis Services in multiple ways.
Originally introduced to Infant Crisis Services through our Executive Director, Miki Farris, Kirk gives Miki’s sincere passion for this mission credit for inspiring her own dedication to helping babies and children. Her choice to become involved with our mission was an easy one, telling us “The one goal of Infant Crisis Services is to care for babies and their families… that is what interests me most about this organization.”
With the 40-year anniversary of our services on the horizon this year, we ponder the meaning of a legacy. As a supporter of our events, our day-to-day fundraising efforts, and our planned giving initiatives, Kirk Hammons has ensured full bellies, dry diapers, and bright futures for so many infants and toddlers, a legacy that will create a ripple effect of positive change for this community she loves so dearly.
(Above) Kirk Hammons
When asked how Kirk would define a legacy, she told us “My personal legacy is my children and my grandchildren. They are the most important asset I am leaving. Children are our greatest resource. This is why Infant Crisis Services is so important; caring for these children and giving them their basic needs so they can grow up healthy, loved, and valued is a legacy that we should all strive for.” Building a legacy at Infant Crisis Services can be as simple as filling out a form designating ICS as a beneficiary for your life insurance, donor advised fund, or retirement plan (like Kirk did)!
“Planned gifts and major gifts are a wonderful way to show that you care for an organization and want it to flourish for years to come… these monetary gifts become your personal legacy,”
Of course, Kirk could not speak on the meaning of a legacy without pointing to our own fearless leader, stating “Miki Farris will be leaving a legacy of love and care for countless children because of her diligent work toward nourishing this mission and these programs.” She continued, “I hope that I will leave a philanthropic legacy of care and commitment to this city and the organizations I have supported through the years, including Infant Crisis Services.”
To learn more about creating a legacy at Infant Crisis Services, or to learn more about our planned giving opportunities, please contact Lisa Perry at (405) 778-7638 or lisaperry@infantcrisis.org.
Today, we stand on the threshold of a remarkable milestone. Infant Crisis Services is proudly celebrating 40 years of providing life-sustaining essentials to our community’s tiniest and hungriest members.
Over four decades, we have been at the forefront of ensuring that every baby and toddler in our community has access to the basic necessities of life – food, formula, and diapers. These items form the building blocks of a healthy and promising future, and it has been our privilege to contribute to the well-being of over 375,000 families throughout our history.
As we reflect on these 40 years of service, I cannot help but marvel at the legacy we have collectively built. A legacy that echoes with the laughter of infants, the relief of parents, and the warmth of a community that comes together in times of need. The impact of our work extends far beyond the immediate provision of tangible necessities; it is a testament to the strength of a community that cares for its own.
A legacy, however, is not a static entity; it is dynamic and ever-evolving. While the work we’ve done in the last 40 years has brought us to this point, we envision our legacy expanding and reaching new heights throughout the next chapter of our journey.
To ensure the success of our mission for another 40 years and beyond, Infant Crisis Services needs you in our corner. Together, we can fortify the foundations of our legacy and pave the way for future generations to inherit a community that cares deeply for its youngest members.
In the coming months, we have planned a series of events and initiatives to celebrate our 40th anniversary. We hope you will join us in commemorating this significant milestone and use it as an opportunity to renew our collective commitment to the well-being of our community’s babies and toddlers.
Thank you for being an integral part of our journey so far. We honestly could not do it without you.
Always for the babies,
Miki Farris,
Executive Director and Co-founder
2024 Young Professionals Board
Congratulations to our 2024 Young Professionals Board – we can’t wait to see what you accomplish this year!
Chair
Zack Smith
Vice Chair
Jordan Edwards
Secretary
Carrie Stevenson
Bingo for Babies Co-Chairs
Claire Ratliff
Annie Baze
Members
Michael Balp
Doug Brown
Danielle Campbell
Maggie Carney
Kristin Check
Margaret Clark
Alley Cottrell
Taylor Dillard
Allie Dodson
Cassie Eads
Emily Ellis
Deepika Ganta
Lorena Gardner
Angie Garrett
Sally Griffin
Rachael Groves
Paige Hatcher
Madelaine Hawkins
Kirsten Holder
Frances Johnston
Mary Lenihan
Jefte Lozano
Kristin May
Mackenzie McCuan
Motahareh Nickel
Trent Saunders
Carson Smith
Molly Tipton
Natalie Turner
Saturday, April 20, 2024
Stars and Stipes Park
3701 S Lake Hefner Dr
1-Mile Fun Run @ 8:00am
5K @ 8:30am
Register online at
Lace up your sneakers and meet us at Stars and Stripes Park on April 20th for the Teen Associate Board’s sixth annual Baby Steps 5k and 1-mile Fun Run. The run is open to participants of all ages and abilities. Every step you take helps us supply life’s basic essentials: nourishing food, gentle formula, and snug diapers. By joining our run, you’re not just logging miles; you’re ensuring that no little one goes to bed hungry or uncomfortable. Register today, run with purpose, and let’s make a lasting impact on these precious little lives!
For further questions, or if you would like to be a race sponsor, contact Katie at katiekastl@infantcrisis.org. Please know how much we genuinely appreciate your support of Infant Crisis Services.
Saturday, JUNE 8, 2024
Infant Crisis Services
4224 N. Lincoln Blvd.
10am – 1pm
Come one, come all to a fun-filled 40th birthday carnival for the whole family! Food, prizes, and games galore are in store for the celebration on June 8th, 2024. This event is free to attend, so come celebrate this incredible milestone with our staff, volunteers, and community partners. Forty has never been so fun!
For further questions, or if you would like to be a carnival sponsor, contact Haydn at haydnbeatty@infantcrisis.org. Make your mark on this exciting celebration!
Give a little love to the babies and toddlers this month when you shop at either Uptown Grocery Co. or Pruett’s Foods on NW Expressway. These stores will be accepting donations at the register as well as baby items from our in-store wish list from February 5th through March 10th. Donate and support the babies this Valentine’s Day at these locations:
Uptown Grocery – 9515 N May Ave, OKC
Uptown Grocery – 1230 W Covell Road, Edmond
Pruett’s Foods – 3501 NW Expressway, OKC
How you can help
Thanks to the $25,000 challenge gift from Brian and Janie Busey, you can help feed and diaper twice as many babies and toddlers in need
$35 becomes $70
Providing a week’s worth of food for 4 toddlers.
$60 becomes $120
providing 8 babies and toddlers with diapers for a week.
$120 becomes $240
Providing a week of specialty formula for 2 premature babies.
$500 becomes $1,000
Providing 24 babies with a week of formula.
Donate