Orphan Sunday candlelight vigil to be held in Jackson

Klaus Park in Jackson will light up Sunday — Orphan Sunday — in honor of those children seeking adoptive homes in Missouri.

There are 15,000 children in foster care in Missouri, and 1,200 are available for adoption, said Crissy Mayberry, executive director of the not-for-profit Hope Children’s Home in Jackson.

A luminary will shine for each of those 1,200 children without a permanent home.

The Missouri Heart Gallery also will show photographs of 178 Missouri children waiting for an adoptive family.

The Orphan Sunday candlelight vigil is a meaningful event that can be heavy at times, said Evelyn Beussink, assistant director of Lutheran Family and Children’s Services of Missouri, because the adoption and fostering process is bittersweet in many ways.

But the evening also will be one of hope and an opportunity to share experiences.

Adoptive parents, adoption professionals and former foster children will be there to share their experiences. Attendees will hear from people who adopted domestically, internationally and through the foster system, as well as from some adoptees themselves.

“There’s something for everybody,” Beussink said.

“It can be kind of confusing, trying to figure out what’s the best thing for your family,” Mayberry said. “This is a way for people who are going to be interested in adoption to get information in one spot.”

The event, which takes place in the midst of National Adoption Month, is organized by the Children’s Coalition, made up of adoptive parents and representatives from local foster and adoption organizations such as Voices for Children, Hope Children’s Home, Lutheran Family and Children’s Services, the Missouri Children’s Division and Room for One More.

“It’s a collaborative effort,” Mayberry said.

Those not actively interested in fostering or adoption have a place at the event as well. Basic community support always is welcome, and volunteers are needed in the various adoption and fostering organizations. Interested parties can learn about those options as well, Beussink said.

The event will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in shelter 31 of Klaus Park, just west of Interstate 55 at exit 99. Mayberry encourages those unable to attend the event to participate in the coalition’s porch light campaign during that time. Supporters of adoption and foster care are invited to turn on their porch lights during the time of the vigil as a show of support.

“People can turn their porch lights on in honor of these children,” Mayberry said. “We think it would be a really beautiful event, with the 1,200 candles to help represent those children in need of a family.”

bbrown@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3630

Pertinent address:

Klaus Park, Jackson, Mo.