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The Oklahoma Municipal Contractors Association presented a check to the J. D. McCarty Center for children with developmental disabilities in the amount of $40,510 during the annual OMCA Christmas party for the inpatients at the hospital.

The money comes from the proceeds of the OMCA's 21st annual charity golf tournament in support of the McCarty Center. The donation is the single largest donation of proceeds from any fundraising event held on behalf of the McCarty Center. The golf event was in September at Twin Hills Golf and Country Club in Oklahoma City.

"We were stunned," said Curt Peters, director and CEO of the McCarty Center. "OMCA had indicated that this year's proceeds would be substantially larger than last year, but we didn't dream it would be this big." Last year's donation from OMCA was $26,000, which was the largest gift from OMCA to date.

OMCA has hosted a Christmas party for the patients of the McCarty Center for about 40 years, long before the golf tournament began.

For the last seven years Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, played by Don and Peggy Manning, along with Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer, played by Meghan Moore, and a growing cast of OMCA elves have delivered presents to patients. Musical entertainment was provided by Mary Alice Koehn, wife of OMCA member Rod Koehn.

"Over the years, and particularly in recent years, the membership of OMCA has made it clear to me that the McCarty Center is their charity of choice," said Rick Moore, executive director of OMCA. "I've had some of these rough tough ol' contractors come out here to be an elf and help Santa give out toys and then tell me later that the experience was life changing or that they will never miss another party. It's moments like this that remind us that as an organization we're doing the right thing. The members believe that by focusing on one charity they can truly make a difference."

Not only are members of OMCA involved, but their wives and children are involved as well. Many members view this volunteer opportunity as a valuable life lesson for their children and bring them along to act as Santa's helpers during the party. Many of OMCA kids help Santa Claus acquire gifts for the party as well.

The Oklahoma Municipal Contractors Association is the state's trade organization that represents contractors who work on local, state and federal municipal projects.

The J. D. McCarty Center is Oklahoma's center of excellence in the care and treatment of children with developmental disabilities from birth to 21. Founded in 1946, the McCarty Center originally treated just one diagnosis -- cerebral palsy. Today, the McCarty Center has treated more than 70 different diagnoses in the developmental disability category. In an average year the hospital will see children from 70 of Oklahoma's 77 counties.

For more information about the J. D. McCarty Center, visit www.jdmc.org.