Foundation, Congress Celebrate Adoption 'Angels'

October 1, 2004 — The Freddie Mac Foundation joined members of Congress in recognizing individuals who have made a difference in children's lives through adoption or adoption advocacy.

[L to R] Luis Olmo, Foster youth intern; Jackie Parker, Legislative Director for Senator Carl Levin; Senator Carl Levin, D- MI; Senator Larry Craig, R- ID; Rand Johnson, Foster youth Intern; Damion Miller, Foster Youth Intern; Senator Mary Landrieu, D- LA and Maxine B. Baker, Freddie Mac Foundation President and CEO.

This year, 172 individuals, families and organizations from across the nation were honored during the recent Angels in Adoption Awards Gala in Washington D.C. The event, sponsored by the Freddie Mac Foundation, is the annual culmination of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute's (CCAI) year-long campaign to raise awareness about the need for permanent, safe, and loving homes for children here and around the world.

Every year, members of Congress are invited to select individuals, families, or organizations from their home states that have helped children in need through adoption. These "Angels" are presented with awards for their efforts at the annual gala. Through the creation of the Angel Wings Fund, the Freddie Mac Foundation made it possible for award recipients who are experiencing economic hardship to attend the ceremony.

“We all know that growing up, there is no greater gift, nothing more precious, than the love and security of a family. So, I want to thank each of you for your caring and your commitment to giving this gift to our children,” said Foundation President and CEO Maxine B. Baker.

Carol Parker Strong with her adopted son, Achaunti.

I am indeed proud that the Freddie Mac Foundation is the founding sponsor of this celebration and a founding member of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute. We have sponsored this awards celebration from the start, because we believe it’s important to thank and recognize the unsung heroes in adoption,” Baker added.

Angels in Adoption was created in 1999 and is CCAI's signature public awareness program, created to raise congressional awareness about the thousands of foster children in this country, and the millions of children around the world in need of permanent homes. CCAI selected Freddie Mac as the first National Angel in Adoption in 1999 for its generous adoption benefits and the Foundation's commitment to finding children safe adoptive homes.