Gladney Family Cheers on Friends in Dragon Boat Race

On Saturday, August 4th, a New York Gladney family cheered on friends who crewed a dragon boat representing their school district’s Special Education PTA (SEPTA).

The Dragons on the Hudson races, held annually during the Peekskill Celebration, hosts Cancer Awareness teams in the morning and local organization teams in the afternoon. The SEPTA team, who rowed together last year for the first time, won their race in record time!

Cultural Connections: Sister Cities – Suzhou, China and Portland, Oregon

Three summers ago our family took a Gladney China Heritage Tour. During our trip, we visited Suzhou, a historic, fabled city outside Shanghai, famous for its traditional gardens.

2009 Suzhou, China

This summer, we took a three week tour of the U.S. West Coast, including a visit with my brother near Portland, Oregon. During our day in the city of Portland, he surprised us with a stop at Lan Su Chinese Garden in the Old Chinatown section of the city! This amazing, beautiful garden, which was planned and designed by artisans from Suzhou, was exciting to see and a wonderful cultural connection for the girls; here was a piece of China in the U.S.!

2012 Portland, Oregon

New Yorker of the Week

 

We are very excited to announce that Gladney's own Gongzhan Wu will be featured in an upcoming segment of "New Yorker of the Week," which runs on NY1 weekly and also online. The show profiles New York's unsung heroes, who, through their careers or their volunteer activities, are making a positive difference on the world around them. Gongzhan will be recognized for the difference he has made in the lives of hundreds of children and their parents through his dedication to helping orphans in China find a permanent family.

The show is expected to tape on Tuesday, July 24 and air on NY1 on Friday, July 27. We will have a link to the segment in next month's newsletter.

Gongzhan with 7 1/2 year old You You who

was recently matched with a Gladney family.

Superkids Jewelry - China Love Pendant

Lisa Cohn, adoptive mom and studio jewelry designer, decided to apply her creative talents towards helping orphans after she and her husband adopted their daughter Lulu from China in 2004. Lisa couldn't forget the precious faces that she saw in China when they left to bring home their daughter, and after learning about Superkids Charity, she found a way to help the kids that were left behind and waiting to be adopted.

Pat Marcus during her latest Superkids trip in June

Lisa designed a unique Love Pendant that features the Chinese character for love. After learning about Superkids' work in South America, she also created a special Mayan pendant. The proceeds from these pendants go towards supporting the work that Superkids volunteers are doing in Asia and South America.

Lisa's lovingly handcrafted pieces are a beautiful way to support the work of Superkids and benefit children with medical needs whose biggest need is to have a family to call their own. You can learn more about the pendants here.

Dragon Boat Races

Look for a dragon boat festival in your area this summer!

The Dragon Boat Festival commemorates Qu Yuan (340 -278 BC), a Court Minister who was a poet and politician in ancient China. Qu Yuan was banished from his state by the King of Chu, who disliked Qu Yuan for speaking out about various state reforms. Unhappy and in deep despair, Qu Yuan roamed the countryside writing poetry about his love of the country and its people. Unable to bear his sorrow any longer, Qu Yuan drowned himself in the Mi Lo River.

Legend has it that local fishermen raced out to the river to save Qu Yuan, but could not. To prevent his body from being eaten by the fish, they threw rice dumplings into the water as an offering to his heroic spirit. Each year, on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, crews of paddlers re-enact that frantic rush to save Qu Yuan, by powering long narrow boats with the heads of dragons mounted on the prow through the water, to the frenzied, rhythmic beating of drums. This was the beginning of Dragon Boat Racing!

Dragon Boat racing was introduced to the world at large in the 1970s when the Hong Kong Tourist Board staged an international Dragon Boat Festival to promote Hong Kong culture. Since then, it has spread like wildfire around the globe with races being held in over 40 countries, with more than 50 million people participating in competitions held on every continent. It is often heralded as the fastest growing water sport in the US, and one of the fastest growing corporate team-building activities in the country.

Special Webinar - Superkids China Trip June 2012

Mei Mei draws a picture for Pat Marcus in Shanghai

Gladney will be hosting a special webinar featuring Pat Marcus on July 19th at 7pm EST for those who are interested in hearing about the recent Superkids trip to Shanghai and Jiangxi province and learning more about Gladney's partnership programs. Pat will be talking about her time in China and the kids that she met there who are waiting to be adopted. Gladney adoptive mom, Erin Martin will also join us to share her perspective on adopting her daughter from China through Gladney's China Waiting Child program!

Register for the webinar here.

Asia Programs Managing Director, Gongzhan Wu and Superkids volunteer/pediatric physical therapist, Pat Marcus spent time in June visiting waiting children in orphanages and foster care that are part of Gladney's partnership programs. Superkids trips are one of many ways that Gladney works together with our partners in China for the benefit of children with special medical needs who are waiting to be adopted into loving families.

Blog posts from the trip can be found on Superkids' blog site.

Pat checking out Zi Zi at Shanghai Children's Home

Many children have already been adopted by loving families through Gladney's Guang Ming Program! This program offers many opportunities for families to be matched with these precious boys and girls! Contact Judy Hayes at 432.563.3344 to learn how to get started.

China Heritage Tour Guides

One of the most important and memorable aspects of a China Heritage Tour is the visit to your child's birth province, city and orphanage. We are very fortunate to have guides throughout China who have years of experience working with Gladney and adoptive families; they are familiar with the adoption process and the orphanages in their area. Visit our website for an introduction to some of the guides who make the orphanage visit so special. Click here to meet them.

Gladney guide Jack Mao assists families in purchasing gifts for their orphanage.

Rainbow Kids founded by Gladney Mom, Martha Osborne

In 1996, while still in the adoption process for her first daughter, Martha Osborne was inspired to start a website to assist other families who were searching for information on how to adopt a child from another country. 16 years later, Martha is proud to say of her RainbowKids website "It has taken on a life of its own!"

Martha with her daughter Kate,

who was adopted through Gladney.

Now the largest international adoption website online, RainbowKids Adoption Advocacy features special needs and older children throughout the world who are waiting to be adopted. Just this summer, a wonderful video was added to the website featuring over 200 beautiful children, now home in their families, who were once identified as "special needs". Here is the link to see The Waiting Child Video. We think it shows how adoption is changing the lives of waiting children as well as the families that are opening their hearts to the love lessons these little ones are teaching us daily!

Recently in China Adoption News

• CCCWA has matched families with LIDs through September 15, 2006.
• CCWA has reviewed dossiers with LIDs through December 31, 2011.
• One Gladney family travelled to China to complete their adoption in June!

Congratulations!!

Following the leader! Welcome home Julia!

Special Waiting Child Webinar!

Gladney and Pat Marcus, a pediatric physical therapist who volunteers through Superkids charity, will be holding a special webinar on Thursday, July 19th at 7pm EST. Pat will be speaking about her recent trip to China where she visited multiple orphanages that are partnered with Gladney. Pat was able to visit many of the waiting children who are designated specifically to Gladney. Pat will share her experience meeting each child as we advocate to find families for these precious kids!

This is a webinar you don’t want to miss! Be sure to register soon as space is limited!

2012 Summer Campaign for Guang Ming 光明

Advocating for Children Who Wait

Gladney's Asia Team is continuing the campaign to raise awareness of Gladney's Guang Ming program and Superkids Charity!

We are eager to spread the word further about the Guang Ming/China Waiting Child program and the children who are waiting for a forever family to call their own. We have been blogging, emailing, webinar-ing, tweeting and sharing our excitement with as many people as we can. We are so appreciative of our supporters and adoption advocates who are sharing their enthusiasm throughout their communities and beyond!

Follow us on Twitter @Gladneyasia and @Superkids_Pat for updates on the Superkids trip that happened this month! Pat Marcus, a volunteer pediatric physical therapist with Superkids has also been blogging about her trip. Click here to read her posts.

Featured Newsletter Photo

Do you recognize the location of the photo above? This month's featured photo was taken in Shanghai from the Bund looking across the Huangpu River to Pudong.

Each month we enjoy selecting photos taken in Asia for our newsletter. We invite our familes to share their landscape photos, taken during their adoption or heritage trips. Beginning this month, we will be placing the monthly featured photo in our blogs. Please email Lydia at ljjmacci@aol.com if you have a photo you would like to have featured.

Reduction in Adoption Visa Application Fees

The U.S. State Department has reviewed fees associated with the issuance of various types of visas. While some visa application fees have gone up due to increased costs associated with the processing, the good news for adoptive parents is that the processing fee for your child's adoption visa has gone down almost $200! As of April 13, 2012, the fee to process adoption related visas is $230.

 

For parents adopting from China, this fee is submitted by the Gladney Center to the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou, China prior to the issuance of your "Article 5 letter' by the U.S. Consulate. Parents adopting from Taiwan will pay this $230 fee directly during their visa interview appointment at the AIT office in Taipei, Taiwan at the end of their adoption trip. Click here for the State Department notice.

Gladney Family Association's Annual Larchmont Picnic

Sunday, June 3rd was a beautiful day for the 14th annual Gladney Picnic at the Larchmont Yacht club in Westchester, NY. It was wonderful to see many families from the area enjoying their families and friends. There was no shortage of activities for kids of all ages!

If you missed this GFA sponsored event, but would like to join us for another activity -- please put September 22, 2012 on your calendars for the Fall Season GFA kickoff event for the NY Metro area. Click here for the GFA Event Calendar which lists GFA activities around the country.

China Heritage Tours

Have you travelled back to China since you adopted? The Gladney Asia website has a wonderful section "Stories and Photos" for children and families to share their heritage tour experiences. If you have a travel journal, photos, or helpful information you would like share on the website, please contact to us at chinaheritagetours@gladney.org.

Happy Father's Day

Frank Garrott with Gladney Dads and their daughters

enjoying a beautiful day at Yankee Stadium

On a sunny day in May, Gladney's President Frank Garrott joined Gladney families for a New York Area Gladney Family Association event at Yankee Stadium. The event began with a fun, picnic style lunch buffet in the Turkey Hill Ice Cream Picnic area. Then, off to watch the game where the Yankees played the Cincinatti Reds.

Beth Evans Shares Her Personal Adoption Story

Beth Evans is a social worker acting in a volunteer capacity to provide additional support to Gladney families during their adoption process in Taiwan. An Asian adoptee herself, Beth was raised in Michigan and has been living in Taipei since May, 2011.

Recently, Beth shared her personal adoption story which was published in "Centered on Taipei", an online magazine for the international community of Taiwan.

Click here to read Beth's article on page 20.

Waiting Child Webinar Tomorrow!

Don’t forget to register for tomorrow’s webinar! The webinar will be held at 1pm EST. The webinar will include information about our Waiting Child Program and also will share information about children who are currently available for adoption – including children who were recently designated to Gladney through our partnership with Shanghai Children’s Home.

Pat Marcus, a pediatric physical therapist, will also be on the webinar to discuss her upcoming trip to China as a volunteer for Superkids charity. She will be able to meet and work with some of the children who have been specifically designated to Gladney through our partnership with the Shanghai Children’s Home. She will also share about her past trips where she met some of the children who are currently on our designated list.

For more information about our webinars and a list of upcoming webinars, be sure to visit the Attend a Webinar page!

2012 Summer Campaign for Guang Ming 光明

Advocating for Children Who Wait

Gladney's Asia Team is thrilled to announce a new campaign to raise awareness of Gladney's Guang Ming program and the upcoming June Superkids trip to China!

Over the next six weeks, we will strive to get the news out about the Guang Ming/China Waiting Child program and the children who are waiting for a forever family to call their own. During this time we will be blogging, emailing, webinar-ing, tweeting and sharing our excitement with as many people as we can. Our hope is that the enthusiasm will continue to grow as you, our partners and advocates for adoption spread the word exponentially!

This month's Guang Ming webinar will feature Pat Marcus, a volunteer pediatric physical therapist with Superkids, as she prepares to leave for China this month to meet with children in Shanghai and Jiangxi province. Join us at 1pm EST on Wednesday, June 13th to learn more about Gladney's program and the important work that Pat does through Superkids Charity! To register, click here.

New profiles have been posted!

Gladney continues to receive profiles of children through our partnerships in China. Check our Asia Waiting Child blog for the newest profiles of girls and boys that are available through the Gladney Center for Adoption.



Run Run and her friends are

waiting for a forever family!

Recently in China Adoption News

CCCWA has matched families with LIDs through September 11, 2006! Congratulations to the Gladney families who have received referrals this month.

CCCWA has reviewed dossiers with LIDs through September 30, 2011.

Two Gladney families travelled to China to complete their adoption in May! Congratulations!!

Pat Marcus blogs about her upcoming trip

Pat Marcus, a physical therapist with SuperKids, recently blogged about her upcoming trip to China. Click here to read Pat's post and catch her excitment, as she readies for another rewarding adventure.

SuperKids is an international humanitarian aid organization that sends pediatric therapists (physical, occupational, speech, and play) to orphanages around the world. Their goal is to help orphans better their quality of life and make it easier to place them into permanent homes.

With the use of specialized therapy toys, they can teach care givers how to strengthen children's gross and fine motor muscles, improve their sensory integration, and build self-esteem. Superkids is part of the Gladney Center for Adoption, a 501 (c)(3) support organization.

Invitation to Attend Larchmont Picnic June 3rd

Dear Gladney China Families,

I am sending this invitation to invite all of our metro New York China families to attend Gladney Center’s annual family picnic at the Larchmont Yacht Club on Sunday, June 3rd. I will be travelling to China later in June and would very much like to have the chance to see and to talk to our families before I go.

This casual picnic is a special time for all Gladney families. Whether you are waiting to complete your adoption or have completed the adoption process, you will have a wonderful time seeing old friends and making new friends.

At this year’s picnic, there will be tables designated for each country program/region. We are looking forward to this so that our China families in the area can share lunch, stories and questions together! I will look forward to updating our China families on some of the exciting opportunities that have been developing over the past year and that continue to progress in Gladney’s Guang Ming (China Waiting Child) program. April Uduhiri, our China Waiting Child coordinator and I welcome the chance to address any questions.

Did you know over 300 children from China have joined their families in the tri-state area since Gladney’s China adoption program began in 1994? It would be wonderful for you to have the chance to meet one another, and for us to see you again (or meet for the first time!).

We hope that each of you has a wonderful summer and that we can see many of you at the picnic!

Sincerely,

Gongzhan Wu

VP & Managing Director - Asia

 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

Immunizations and Vaccinations

In a continuing effort to provide families with information regarding adoption related issues, following is a link to an article "International Travel with Infants and Children" in the 2012 Yellow Book published by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The article outlines vaccination and immunization recommendations for families before they travel, as well as expectations and suggested guidelines regarding the adopted child's vaccination and immunization schedule. Click here for the CDC article.

Although there are guidelines governing immunizations and vaccinations, as documented in the CDC's article, more than 90% of newly arrived internationally adopted children need catch-up immunizations to meet the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) guidelines.

During the US visa issuance stage at the end of the adoption trip, adopted children under the age of 10 are exempt from the immunization requirements that otherwise apply to persons immigrating to the United States. Instead, the US CIS requires adoptive parents to sign a notarized affidavit indicating their intention to comply with the immunization requirements within 30 days of the child's arrival in the United States. The article suggests immunizations should be given according to the current ACIP schedule for catch-up vaccination, and if the infant is less than 6 months old and there is uncertainty regarding immunization status or validity of immunization record, the child should be reimmunized according to the ACIP schedule. As always, the course of action for each child is a personal decision that should be made with your pediatric physician or specialist.

Heritage Trip Forum at 125th - "The Trip of a Lifetime"

During Gladney's 125th celebration, a workshop was held for adoptive families wanting to learn more about making a heritage trip back to their child's country of birth. Four adoptive families, who adopted from China and Russia, spoke about their recent experiences in planning and travelling. While the meaning and experience was very unique and personal to each child and parent, the parents on the panel expressed consensus about these points:

- It was helpful to start the trip in a large city as a buffer for transition, spending the first few days adjusting to language, foods and appreciating the historical sites and landmarks. After these initial days, families felt prepared to travel onward to visit the local community in which their child was initially raised.

- For families that travelled in a group, both children and parents felt that the support of their peers was helpful in processing the thoughts and emotions that evolved during the trip. Everyone agreed that upon returning home, each child and parent continues to reflect on their adoption experience and that it will continue to shape their identities and roles.

Director Dr. Dou welcomes Seiler and family at ChuZhou SWI

- Children were most interested in seeing the actual site where they were cared for, and when possible, meeting staff who knew and remembered them.

- The caregivers and staff at the orphanages were very warm and enthusiastic to meet the children who returned to visit. For orphanage staff, seeing the children several years older as happy, healthy people, and knowing they were well cared for, was very important and rewarding.

If you have questions as you begin to think about planning such a trip for your family, please visit our website Gladney Asia (www.gladneyasia.org) or email us at chinaheritagetours@gladney.org.

Gladney's China Heritage Tours are primarily customized tours for an individual family or group of families who would like to travel together (no matter which agency they used to adopt). However, several families have come to us and expressed an interest in travelling as part of a larger group. We are open to (and excited about!!) organizing a group trip for the summer of 2013 and/or the summer of 2014 based on families' interest. If you have a tentative or strong interest at this time, please contact us at our email address above, indicating which year you would prefer, 2013 or 2014 and include your child's province. We will create a group email list to keep interested families posted on the specific developments of a group trip, as well as continue to update everyone generally through this newsletter.

--Wendy Stanley, Director of Social Services - Asia

Jenny Maas Bat Mitzvah Project: Helping My Orphanage In Hunan

"Whoever saves one life, it is as if she has saved the whole world." The Talmud

Gongzhan Wu and Jenny Maas

For the first nine months of my life, I lived in an orphanage in Changsha, Hunan Province in China. My orphanage, the Number One Social Welfare Institute (SW1) used to house hundreds of abandoned Chinese children, and still cares for a great number (how many, we do not know). During my 13 years of living, I have never once forgotten about my beginning. As I become a Bat Mitzvah, I want to honor my history and be a part of it again as a different person.

For my mitzvah project, I have decided to make a coloring book with my own original art for the girls and boys in my orphanage. I will use a portion of my Bat Mitzvah money to buy drawing implements, markers, pencils, etc. and deliver them directly to the orphanage. I love to draw and make arts and crafts, which gave me the idea of incorporating something I love doing into my project. To make a coloring book of my own art for the girls in my old orphanage puts some of the aspects of my personality into this project, which makes it more meaningful.

The second part of my mitzvah project is donating all of my remaining Bat Mitzvah money to help Chinese orphans with special needs, so that they have a chance of being adopted and loved as equally as any other child. It is very hard for children with special needs to get the attention they need so that they can be considered for adoption. They deserve a great life as much as anyone else. Gladney Center for International Adoption will help to make the funds useful this way.

Even though I've led a very different life from these kids, I still feel a very special connection with them because I used to be one of them and was part of that life. Accomplishing this project will make my connection deeper and will help me re-establish the bond between us.                                       

-- Jenny Maas

Gladney Family Association's 14th Annual Larchmont Picnic

Wendy and Gongzhan with the Gorman family at the 2011 Larchmont Picnic

On Sunday, June 3, 2012, the Gladney Asia Program Staff will be among those attending the annual New York Metro GFA picnic at the beautiful Larchmont Yacht Club.

For families in the New York metro area, whether you are an annual picnic attendee, you have not attended in years or this will be your first picnic, we hope you will consider joining us this year, as Gladney celebrates its 125th!

This annual event is well-attended and a wonderful day with fun and socializing. This year, there will be some tables grouped by country where families are welcome to sit and meet others with children adopted from the same country.

We look forward to enjoying a fun filled day with many Gladney families! You can register online now at www.gladneycommunity.com/nypicnic

Recently in China Adoption News

• CCCWA has matched families with LIDs through September 4, 2006! Congratulations to all of the families who have received referrals.
• CCCWA has reviewed dossiers with LIDs through November 30, 2010.
• Two Gladney families travelled to China to complete their adoption in April!

Congratulations!!

Guang Ming Program

Hui Hui and his friends are waiting for a forever family!

Gladney continues to receive profiles of children through our partnership program with Shanghai Children's Home (SCH). Check the photolist page of our Asia Waiting Child blog for photos and summary information of baby girls and boys that are available through the Gladney Center for Adoption.

Learn more about Gladney's partnership with Shanghai Children's Home! Gladney hosted a special webinar earlier this year featuring Pat Marcus, pediatric physical therapist and Superkids volunteer. Pat spoke about her recent trip to SCH and the wonderful kids that she met who are living at the orphanage and in foster care. The recording of this webinar can be accessed here.

Join us for one of Gladney's monthly webinars which give an overview of the China Guang Ming Program and talk about children available for adoption. These webinars are held on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 1pm EST. Click here to register.

Happy Mother's Day

To all moms and moms to be,

 

Wishing you a very Happy Mother's Day!

Adoptive Families Top 10 Articles

Periodically, Adoptive Families Magazine publishes their top 10 articles. Two of the articles on the most recent list are: Where Did I Come From and In My Daughter's Room. As we all experience our personal journey to parenthood and beyond, reading the reflections and emotions of other parents helps to guide and support us, we hope that you will enjoy these articles as well as the others on the list. For the complete Top 10 List, click here.

Waiting Child Webinar

Don’t forget to register for tomorrow’s webinar! The webinar will be held at 1pm EST. The webinar will include information about our Waiting Child Program and also will share information about children who are currently available for adoption – including children who were recently designated to Gladney through our partnership with Shanghai Children’s Home.

For more information about our webinars and a list of upcoming webinars, be sure to visit the Attend a Webinar page on our Asia Waiting Child blog!

Memories of Gladney's 125th Celebration

By April Uduhiri, Caseworker

In 125 years, the Gladney Center has touched so many lives in positive ways. I am always impressed and amazed after spending time in Gladney’s Fort Worth office, but this trip was really special. Hearing stories about Gladney from adoptive families, board members, and Gladney staff (past and present) just reminded me why I am so proud to work for this amazing organization. The whole weekend was a whirlwind of activity and the TX staff did a fantastic job with planning the events for the celebration! My favorite moments were getting to meet adoptive families on Saturday at the Coming Home event at Gladney’s campus. It was especially heartwarming to meet some of the China families that I have worked with and see the families that have been created through this program! 125 has been a memorable year so far and I know Gladney will continue to do great work building more families throughout the next 125 years!

Family Fun at Gladney's 125th

By Mary Chapman, Caseworker

The 125th Anniversary Celebration this past weekend was truly about the families that have been created thanks to adoption.

My favorite part of the weekend was seeing so many happy families having fun together - whether it was screaming down the hills of the massive roller coasters at Six Flags, making crafts and enjoying the petting zoo at the Coming Home event on Gladney's campus or dancing the night away at the Gala.

 It was a wonderful reminder that the hard work put into the adoption process completely pays off!

Celebrating Gladney's 125

By Rebecca Pollack, Taiwan Program Caseworker

My first trip to Gladney’s Texas Campus will be difficult to beat. The New York Asia Program Team arrived in Dallas/Fort Worth on Thursday afternoon. We loaded our bags in an SUV, piled in, drove straight to Skittle at Six Flags Over Texas and jumped out! I hardly had time to be nervous (or prepare for the Texas heat) as I began meeting Gladney Families, staff, and board members. Roller coasters turned out to be great ice breakers! Everyone seemed to be having a great time, running from one Texas themed ride to another, winning Texas sized prizes, and resting to catch some Texas themed entertainment.

Friday was a whirlwind of meeting more co-workers who I e-mail with often, but have never met in person. As we toured Gladney’s main campus, our guide made the scene come alive with Gladney’s rich history and her own personal stories. Seeing the residence for birthmothers was a unique opportunity and further showed how committed Gladney is to helping pregnant women in need. The women who live there have a computer lab, gym and pool onsite. They share “family meals” and have areas to study, read, and relax. I was very impressed with the facility. My favorite part of the main campus was the “adoption museum” in the visitor’s center. I could have spent hours staring at the collection of photographs and reading stories, but we were a busy bunch!

We had lunch with Gladney Family Association (GFA) volunteers and leaders where Gladney directors told us about the status of various Gladney programs and services. Later, we rejoined GFA leaders at a happy hour. These families are enthusiastic about Gladney and helping other adoptive families. Meeting these loyal members was greatly encouraging.

Saturday was the big event, “The 125^th Anniversary Coming Home Party” at the Gladney Center Campus. Children and families gathered to celebrate with Gladney staff and volunteers. There were dancers, face painting, jumpy castles, a petting zoo, crafts, photo booths, a train ride, and more! The day flew by as we helped kids make Chinese lanterns, met families, and soaked up the sun. We watched traditional Ethiopian dancers, a dragon presentation, line dancers, and ballerinas. After such an exciting day, we had no time to be tired as that evening was the Gala!

Dressed to the nines, we joined Gladney families, donors, and honorees at the 125^th Anniversary Gala held at the Omni Hotel. The event was spectacular! While the entire weekend was amazing, the Gala really drove home how outstanding Gladney is. You could feel the passion for Gladney and for adoption. It was remarkable to be surrounded by such inspiring families and individuals. I am honored to work for Gladney and be part of this wonderful organization. Gladney really is a place “Where Hope is Born”!!