Honoring 'Angels' for Adoption Efforts

Freddie Mac Chief Operating Officer Paul Peterson, Foundation CEO and President Maxine Baker, and Foundation CFO Janice Thomas at the 'Angels in Adoption' event sponsored by the Freddie Mac Foundation.

More than 270 individuals from across the country were honored for their commitment to expanding awareness of the need for adoption and making a difference in children's lives 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 thousands of children in need of permanent, safe, and loving homes.

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 several of the award recipients who are experiencing economic hardship to attend the ceremony.

"It is through the sacrifices of this year's 'Angels', and those who have come before, that children in need of hope and family are realizing their greatest dreams. These heroes, in every sense of the word, never expect awards or rewards. But it's our blessing to recognize and support them at this banquet, and help ensure they are able to attend," said Foundation President and CEO Maxine B. Baker.

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.