Lori Dickinson is a product of a self-described idyllic childhood. Sports, student council, a two-parent home - all were present in the Dickinson household in Noble.

"I realize now how fortunate I was," says Dickinson, now the new executive director of The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools. "Things that are basic necessities to us growing up are real-life, everyday issues for the kids in Oklahoma City."

In April, Dickinson was charged with leading the organization that raises funds to help support Oklahoma City Public Schools. After talking to more and more people, she realizes now that the city's public school system has been forced to take on an even larger role.

"I think when we look at the issues in the school system, teachers are having to address more than just reading, writing and arithmetic," says Dickinson, an Oklahoma State alumna. "It's do the kids have adequate clothing, do they have food, do they have supplies, do they have a place to live? Everybody says it's the parents' responsibility, it's not the school's responsibility to raise a child. It really is a socioeconomic issue that we as a community and a country need to address.

"I think there's a bigger issue than just are they getting the proper instruction and education. Are they getting the support they need?"

STATISTICS
According to the most recent statistics, some 1,700 Oklahoma City students are defined as homeless. Dickinson has been told stories of students caught stealing three or four cartons of milk on Fridays because they have siblings at home and no food until Monday.

While the economy is down, Dickinson reports that giving to the foundation - which celebrates its 25th year in 2009 - is stable.

"There's a genuine interest in the well-being of our school system and the children of Oklahoma City," she says. "The challenge right now is making that connection and getting everyone on the same page as to what we need to make the school system better overall."

Dickinson says the foundation truly can have a lasting impact on Oklahoma City.

Before joining the foundation, Dickinson served as senior director of development for the Oklahoma State University Foundation, where she involved herself in the university's $1 billion fund-raising campaign. She also served as director of corporate marketing for the OSU Alumni Association and as director of development and external relations for Oklahoma City University's Meinders School of Business.