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There are two heartwarming stories in the news right now, and it’s nice to see foster parents be recognized.
In the first story out of Warwick, Rhode Island, a couple “won” the opportunity to have their house re-done on the T.V. show “Extreme Makeover Home Edition.” Personally, I have always wished they would come to my house, but it’s nice to see foster parents get this great reward.
The parents, Ken and Doreen Silva, have been foster parents for awhile. They recently learned that they had lead paint levels in their home that would disqualify them for being foster parents. Now they can continue to be foster parents. They also received an amazing gift of $20,000 given in their name to Adoption Rhode Island. This amazing gift will help to reach even more families, besides just the Silvas.
I know how much it takes to pull this show off. There is a tremendous volunteer effort. Not too long ago, a family in Wisconsin was chosen to have their home “makeover” and it required about 3,500 volunteers to complete this project in a week. The Silvas must be important people in their community to be able to get that many people to come out and help.
I’m glad they will be able to continue to help children.
The next story, out of New York, talks of foster/adoptive parents who were given a wonderful “reward” of a limousine ride, a day at the spa and dinner. The couple, Amanda and Dana Marra, were nominated to the contest by a friend because they have taken in a sibling group of four, all under the age of six, and are in the process of trying to adopt them.
The couple said they have very little time together so this was truly a treat for them. The husband and wife were able to have an actual conversation together. I wonder what that’s like?
They were nominated by their biological daughter’s teacher. That’s got to me an amazing teacher.
The couple credits their decision to adopt and the information that they received to start the process to a member of their church who had also adopted. A big thanks goes out to that couple as well for helping this couple.
It is so great to hear that these families have had a positive impact on their community, and received a thank you for it.
