Adoption is the heartbeat of much of this blog. Once you open up your life and home to someone born to another person, it changes the way you view the world. Everything you encounter fits through that new lens and my blog and social media did the same when our adopted sons, Andrew and Simon entered our family nearly three years ago. A lot of what I post around the internet focuses on social justice issues and today's post also highlights that very topic.
Wendy’s is known for their delicious JR. bacon cheeseburgers and Frosty, but there is a far greater reputation they have because of their founder Dave Thomas. In 1992 Mr. Thomas created a foundation that had a very personal connection called the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. Being an adopted child himself, he understood the importance a forever family has on a child's life and set out to help other kids who were just like him. Through his foundation Mr. Thomas has served more than 11,500 children and has helped more than 4,500 children be adopted. With the ongoing support and collaboration of Wendy’s adoption page, the foundation works to find permanent, loving homes for the 130,000+ children who are currently waiting in North America’s foster care system.
I really had no idea that such a great organization existed in one of my favorite burger joints! Recently I went through the drive-thru at Wendy's on my way to a performance and noticed that they had a new design on their cups. Children's illustrations adorn the cold and specialty beverage cups and there is an amazing story behind each design. I received Richard's cup the last time I ate at Wendy's and he shared his "family first" moment at the zoo. Since we are annual zoo pass holders, I immediately connected with this 9 year old's experience.
The four illustrations featured on the Wendy's cups now through November were drawn by children who have been adopted through Wendy’s Wonderful Kids, a collaboration between Wendy's and the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption that focus on the kids that have been waiting the longest for a family. Each story appears to be an ordinary moment in any family, but the moving animated films utilizing the kid's drawings and personal stories shed light on the importance a family plays in the life of a waiting child. Each only a minute long, it's quick to see the great impact Wendy's Wonderful Kids Program had on these four children plus 4,500 others who have been stuck in foster care for far too long. All four videos can be seen here.
Foster care has always been something my husband and I have been drawn towards. I sat and watched each video with a tissue in hand because I knew I would cry. Something as simple as a mom, dad, grandparents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and cousins can change the trajectory of a person's life for the better. And all it takes is one family saying yes to one kid and this miracle takes place. I'm getting teary-eyed even typing these words because I know first hand that Andrew and Simon will be forever changed because they are a part of my family and I'm forever changed because I'm a part of theirs.
What makes Wendy's Wonderful Kids Program unique is the 206 recruiters that are hired specifically to take on a caseload of children that the system has forgot, partnering with these children to give them the attention they deserve and working aggressively to find these children their forever families. Children like Rigo, Angel, Olivia and Richard need an advocate to come alongside of them and make sure that their best interest is what is being pursued with vigor and tenacity. Because of Wendy's and the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, kids in the foster care system are receiving this type of care and consideration.
Dear friends of mine have fostered and adopted through the foster care system here in the United Sates and it has been spectacular to witness the growth that happens when a child has the permanence of a loving, supportive family. Adoption is a wonderful thing to consider and Wendy's has free resources and an adoption guide for those interested in learning more information. Maybe adoption isn't something your family can consider at this time but you would like to help; the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption website has lots of information about practical ways you can get involved.
Another way you can help is to share this blog post with your friends and family on social media to continue to spread the word about foster care adoption for the 130,000 other children who are still in the foster care system. And the final way is to make a financial contribution directly to the foundation.
Thanks for taking the time to learn more about Wendy's Wonderful Kids Program and the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and don't forget to share your favorite family moments or adoption stories in the comments below. Take a spin through the drive-thru at Wendy's today, grab one of these fantastic cups and remember what Dave Thomas said,
“THESE CHILDREN ARE NOT SOMEONE ELSE’S RESPONSIBILITY. THEY ARE OUR RESPONSIBILITY.”
No comments:
Post a Comment