The Gladney Center for Adoption Celebrates National Adoption Month at the National Council For Adoption’s the Great Expectations Gala and Induction Ceremony to the Adoption Hall of Fame

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.

Contacts

Gladney Center for Adoption
Jennifer Lanter, 817-922-5968
(C)
817-896-5968
(F) 817-922-6077
Jennifer.lanter@gladney.org