WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On Thursday, November 5th, National Council For Adoption (NCFA) will celebrate 35 years of principled advocacy on behalf of children, birth parents, and adoptive families. The Great Expectations Gala: A Celebration of Adoption will take place at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC, coinciding with a host of activities celebrating adoption during November, National Adoption Month.
As an Honorary Co-Chair of the Great Expectations Gala, Angie Watson will share their family’s inspirational story of adopting two children, with special video remarks from her husband, pro golfer Bubba Watson. In addition to a new public service announcement (PSA) featuring Bubba and Angie Watson, the latest in NCFA’s award-winning iChooseAdoption PSA series, NCFA will present the Ruby Lee Piester Award − a recognition afforded to just two other recipients in the past 35 years − to Founding Board member Lou Stern and his wife Carol, and present a Friend of Adoption Award to former NCFA Board Chair Stan Swim. NCFA will also induct five individuals and organizations into the Adoption Hall of Fame:
- Heidi Bruegel Cox, NCFA Board member and Executive Vice President and General Counsel to the Gladney Center for Adoption
- The Charles and Mary Crossed Foundation
- The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
- Page Rense, adopted person and former Editor-in-Chief of Architectural Digest
- Mendell Thomason, President/CEO of America’s Christian Credit Union
All recipients have demonstrated a strong commitment to adoption and the goal of helping all children realize the permanent, loving families that are their birthright. The Gladney Center for Adoption celebrates Heidi Bruegel Cox’s dedication and passion for serving families and children for over 25 years. Gladney congratulates all of the inductees and is grateful for their work on behalf of adoption. Frank Garrott, President of the Gladney Center for Adoption, says, “Heidi Cox embodies Gladney’s mission as she works tirelessly for each and every child Gladney has the privilege to serve.”
“Every year during National Adoption Month, all those who are touched by adoption have much to celebrate,” stated NCFA president and CEO Chuck Johnson. “We at NCFA celebrate adoption every day, not just during the month of November, but this month we are especially pleased to partner with adoptive parents Bubba and Angie Watson, who in their new PSA call attention to the wonderful birth mothers who choose adoption. This year we are also grateful to celebrate 35 years of championing the positive option of adoption, calling attention to the good works of our awardees, and announcing the AdoptionMonth.org website as a community-based adoption resource.”
ABOUT NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR ADOPTION
Founded in 1980, National Council For Adoption (NCFA) is a global adoption advocacy nonprofit that promotes a culture of adoption through education, research, legislative action, and collaboration. As the authoritative voice for adoption, NCFA’s areas of focus include domestic infant adoption, adoption and permanency outcomes for youth in foster care, and intercountry adoption. Passionately committed to the belief that every child deserves to thrive in a nurturing, permanent family, NCFA serves children, birth parents, adopted individuals, adoptive families, and adoption professionals. In addition, we work tirelessly to educate U.S. and foreign government officials and policymakers, members of the media, and all those in the general public with an interest in adoption.
ABOUT THE GLADNEY CENTER FOR ADOPTION
Since the Gladney Center for Adoption’s inception in 1887, Gladney has placed over 30,000 children in permanent and loving homes. Once a local adoption agency, the Gladney Center now serves families and children around the world. Gladney is a recognized leader in domestic and international adoption, maternity and family support services. The heart and soul of our mission is –Where Hope is Born.