Legislative Gathering National Adoption Month

Mayor Harry Rediger signed November-National Adoption Month Proclamation. Mayor Barbara Lohr signed but was not available for the picture. Behind the Mayor is Evelyn Martin, LFCS;Kellee Foot, Children's Div.; Linda Nash, CASA; Brenda Smith,LFCS and LFCS student intern, Jana Sotau. Not available for the photo, representatives from Room for One More.

Saturday, November 20 is National Adoption Day when many adoptive families and their children accross the United States will gather in numbers before circuit judges to have thier adoptions finalized, celebrating adoption.

On November 16 at the Legislative Gathering hosted by Lutheran Family and Children's Services, Mayor Harry Rediger signed and then read the National Adoption Month Proclamation. In Missouri alone, some 14,256 children await permanency in adoptive families. Nationally, that number is 115,000. The State of Missouri found forever homes for approximately 3,399 children. Lutheran Family and Children's Services (LFCS) placed 111 infants and children up to age 18 into adoptive homes in 2009. Locally, LFCS, the Children's Division, CASA and Room for One More have joined in a Children's Coalition to promote adoption and foster care to meet the need for forever homes for children through US adoptions as well as from other countries. Some 12,753 children were adopted from other countries in 2009. Representative Scott Lipke, Judge Elect, 32nd Circuit, also presented an Adoption Resolution from the State of Missouri for National Adoption Month. Guest for the event included newly elected County Commissioner, Clint Tracy, newly elected Representative Donna Lichtnegger, several attorneys, the Honorable Judge Ben Lewis and LFCS board members.

An Adoption Power Hour is held at LFCS, 3178 Blattner Dr., in Cape the third Tuesday night monthly at 6:00. Call in to reserve setting: 334-5866.