June 30, 2006 5:47 PM
Angels in Adoption - nomination time
Two years ago Tripp and I received the Congressional Angel in Adoption award. We were nominated by our Congressman, Frank Wolf, who had been notified about us by a friend of mine who is also a writer from Loudoun County, Ann Stewart.
I had never heard of the Angels in Adoption program before, so it was an unexpected surprise to be honored for something we were doing with out lives.
We spent the entire day in the District - beginning at the National Cathedral with a special program hosted by Steven Curtis Chapman and featuring an African orphan children's choir.
(Wow - I sure look different now. But I can't go back and change these pictures, which tell the truth about what I looked like 60 pounds ago)
Then a reception and ceremony where we were presented with our awards and this special pin
which was designed by Mignon Faget, a famous Louisiana jewelry designer, to honor Angels in Adoption.
Then a private tour of the Capitol Building (when I was a little girl places like this in DC were easily accessible, but now it's not so easy to see some of the parts that used to be open - so a private tour was very cool) and a meeting with Rep. Wolf in his office.
Then a reception where I snapped this picture of Jonny and Maddy with Steven Curtis Chapman.
And a huge sit-down dinner at the Reagan Building with big gift bags at each place setting.
A 12 hour day in which we were made to feel really special for our contribution to the lives of children (for those new here, the last three of our 12 kids are boys with Down syndrome we adopted). I met many wonderful people from other states who were receiving the award because of nominations from their representatives. Many were couples who had raised biological children and then gone on to become foster or adoptive parents - some to many kids - and mostly kids with special needs (because of course they wouldn't be considered for adopting non-disabled kids). One family from Florida had four biological children - two raised and two still at home - when they adopted a sibling group of nine children from Romania. Wow.
Anyway, I want to tell you about this award in case you know someone who should be nominated. The nominations for 2006 will close 7/31. Nominations cannot be made by the general public, so if you know someone, you need to find out what Congressional district they reside in and then contact their representative to ask him or her to consider nominating the person you have in mind. Remember, nominations must be in by 7/31.
Although this is Mary Landrieu's baby, it is a bipartisan effort and there are representatives from both sides of the aisle involved. Nothing during the day in any way marred the purpose for which we were gathered. No hint of politics.
Oh, and the most wonderful and stirring message came after the dinner when Jane Alexander, who was hosting, introduced several young people who had come through foster care and been adopted in their very late teens or twenties. They said that when their friends asked them why they would do such a crazy thing when they were now "free," they could only share the hunger they had for a "real" permanent family - a mom and dad to give them away in marriage, a grandma and grandpa for their kids, someone to always come home too.
Sweet Baby James stirred up a lot of interest in adoption - and I received a couple emails from older couples considering this step. All I can say is "Go for it!" Give someone a home and your hearts.
And again, for anyone who knows anyone who should receive this award, contact their representative right away. This year I nominated someone in another state and it was a little tricky because the representative doesn't accept email from anyone outside his state. So I called his Capitol office and spoke to one of his interns who gave me his private email address and agreed to pass on my message. I do so hope this good couple will be honored as they so richly deserve!
Be sure to let me know if anything comes of this!
Posted in Adoption, Family | Permalink
Comments
Who would I tell the representative to contact regarding the Angel nomination? I am just wondering if he would be familiar with this particular program. Thanks. Robin
Posted by: Robin | July 2, 2006 1:30 AM
Robin - that's a great question because not all representatives are familiar with the program. You can direct them to CCAI's website, particularly this page which provides a link to make nominations:http://www.ccainstitute.org/honoranangel.php
Posted by: barbara | July 2, 2006 7:57 AM
