Dillon Celebrates 20th Year, Honors Warren Hultgren

Tulsa World

Column: PEOPLE AND PLACES

Author: Danna Sue Walker

Although we cannot help everyone in the world, we can help one person at a time - and we need to do it now.

These were the thoughts of Dr.

, addressing a group of people attending a 20th anniversary celebration of Dillon International. The event, held Wednesday evening at the home of Cindy and Lawrence Field, also honored Hultgren, who has served on Dillon's board of directors for many years and is currently chairman of the Tulsa-based international adoption agency.

Although Hultgren was the much-loved pastor of Tulsa's First Baptist Church for 35 years, his appeal and message crosses the lines of denomination and faiths. He has preached at Holy Family Cathedral, Temple Israel and many other churches throughout the city. In addition to being a world traveler - he has visited 72 countries, he is a world-class diaper-changer and tear-dryer, evidenced when he escorted a group of orphans to the United States.

Dillon is dedicated to finding the best lifetime solution for homeless children. It first explores all possibilities for children to remain in their birth country. When that is not possible, Dillon places the children with families in this country. Since its beginning in 1972, Dillon has placed almost 4,000 children from South Korea, India, Thailand, Guatemala and Haiti. It will begin a new program in China. Dillon remains available to each adoptive family for the lifetime of their child.

In addition to his involvement with Dillon, Hultgren served on the review committee for the revised King James version of the Bible, was a chaplain in the U.S. Navy, served as president of The National Council, received the National Humanitarian Award from the Institute of Human Relations in New York, as well as many other awards and honors.

Among those honoring Hultgren at the anniversary celebration were

, who with Hultgren, began the agency in 1972; board member John O'Connor, his wife, Lucia; Cindy Field's parents, Charles and Peggy Stephenson; Cindy's brother, Steve Stephenson, his wife, Ellen; Ann and Jack Graves, Isabel and Edgar Sanditen, Helen Jo and Jim Hardwick, Herb Gussman, Karen and Kent Caraway and their daughter, Natalie, who helped serve refreshments.

Others there were Judge Joe Jennings, Joan and Dick Crawford, Ana and Jenk Jones, Nita and Luther Boring, Ann and Jim Brackett, Soohyun and Dr. Marvin Jim, development director Susanna Hill and Beverlee Einsig.

Guests enjoyed the Fields' garden, a buffet served from a table decorated with flags from around the world, carved watermelons and azaleas.

Special thanks for donations went to Paper Chase, Petty's Fine Foods, Parkhill's, Borden's Meadow Gold Dairies, Class Act Rentals, Ted and Debbie's Flowers, Special Forces Security Systems, Paradise Bakery of Woodland Hills and Tulsa Photo Lab.

Caption:

Lawrence and Cindy Field join Dr. Warren Hultgren and John O'Connor in enjoying the 20th anniversary celebration of Dillon International.