MNBE continues annual donation to the Paper Butterfly Project

MNBE Chief Executive Woody Anderson, right, presents Muscogee (Creek) Nation Children and Family Services Administration Director Kimee Wind-Hummingbird with a check for the Angel Tree Project.

• MCN Travel Plazas raised $866 during National Adoption Month for MCN Angel Tree Program

     OKMULGEE, Okla. — The Muscogee (Creek) Nation Business Enterprise (MNBE), along with employees at Travel Plazas in Okmulgee and Muskogee, continued their tradition of giving, by once again raising funds and donations toward the Paper Butterfly Project during the National Adoption month in November. MNBE Chief Executive Woody Anderson presented a check for $866 to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Children and Family Services Administration (MCNC&FS) at the Okmulgee Travel Plaza.

The paper butterflies could be purchased in any dollar amount during the month of November at the MNBE Travel Plaza locations. Once purchased, the butterfly would be displayed in the store to show support for adoption during November National Adoption Month. Even though November has come and gone, the donations carry into the Christmas holiday season. All proceeds donated to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Angel Tree Project.

“We have been doing the Paper Butterfly Project with Children and Family Services for a few years now,” said Anderson. “It’s a way for us to help with the Angel Tree Program and provide for families who are in need.”

According to Tribal Reunification & Permanency Services Program Manager Melody McPerryman, MCNC&FS partnered with the MNBE during the month of November to kick off the Paper Butterfly Project. The Paper Butterfly Project is a way of boosting November National Adoption and also a way for MCNC&FS to bring in monetary donations to help provide a great Christmas for all the children within the Angel Tree Project.

All the proceeds from the Butterfly Project will go towards providing Christmas gifts for all the children and a Christmas Party for all the Angel Tree, including their families and MCN foster families. Unfortunately, since MCNC&FS deals with child welfare, several children and families filter through the program at any given time. The donations will also go towards helping any children that may come through the program just prior to Christmas.

The Angel Tree Project provides for all the children that are receiving services through MCNC&FS, which may be through Child Protective Services, Tribal Custody, Tribal Juvenile Justice, or Promoting Safe and Stable Families. The Paper Butterfly project started in November 2015 and with the partnership of MNBE will continue annually.

Along with the money raised at the Travel Plazas, Rick Verity and his wife Sue, owners of Burger King at the Okmulgee location, will be donating an additional $250. Anderson and his wife, Rebecca, will be donating an additional $100 as well.

“My mother and father always taught us to help people and give back,” said Anderson. “We are very fortunate to have what we have and if we can give anything to help those in need it’s worth more than anything we receive.”

For more information, contact the Melody McPerryman or Children and Family Services Director, Kimee Wind-Hummingbird at (918) 732-7869

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