Every year, thousands of children "age out" of the Foster Care system in this country without ever knowing the love and security of a permanent, adoptive family. Since 1983, The Adoption Exchange (TAE) an Aurora, CO based non-profit organization has connected more than 8,000 adoptive parents and waiting children.
During the past eleven years, I have been honored to volunteer locally and nationally with TAE; here are some of the events I've enjoyed the most:
- Monopoly Tournament: a fun day of fundraising held in different Las Vegas Strip properties annually. You can buy in to play the classic board game, and raise funds for the local chapter of TAE; it is surprising how competitive this gets!
- 'A Day for Wednesday's Child' an annual day-long fund drive (held in Las Vegas at KLAS-TV) to fund Camp To-Belong, a non-profit summer camp which unites siblings separated by Foster Care for a week of bonding and fun.
I've answered phones as a volunteer; one can simply phone in and make a pledge. The station provides phone banks, drinks, snacks, and coverage to update the viewers via the Chryon crawl on progress of the NV TAE chapter's largest annual fundraiser.
- Fantasy Ball: aptly named, held annually in Denver, CO this is the largest fundraiser on TAE's national calendar; a gala dinner, dancing, raffles, and a wide array of Silent Auction items are featured in this fancy and fabulous for-a-great-cause evening. You can participate by buying tickets, a table, a sponsorship, or by donating items to the Silent Auction.
- NV's Annual Golf Classic "Fore" Kids: Held at Silverstone Golf Club, I've served on the planning committee, golfed, and solicited Silent Auction items. This is a great day on the links directly benefiting children in NV.
If events aren't your forte, you can make a donation, volunteer in the office, and more! Check the TAE website www.adoptex.org for information on how to volunteer, peruse the gallery of waiting children, and get more information on services available to prospective parents.
* TAE has local offices in CO, MO, NV, NM, OK, SD, UT, and WY. *
** "Wednesday's Child" is a national weekly segment (locally on KLAS-TV hosted by longtime supporter Dave Courvoisier) featuring a child or siblings telling their own stories **
*** TAE emphasizes the importance of siblings being placed together, and older children desiring a forever home ***
**** regular "Introduction to Adoption" classes are held at local chapters, schedules and registration on TAE website **** read more