Wednesday's Child Receives National Award from Congressional Coalition
The Freddie Mac Foundation Wednesday's Child program was recently honored as a 'National Angel in Adoption' for helping find adoptive homes for more than 2000 hard to place children in foster care, and raising public awareness of their plight. The award from the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute was presented to the Wednesday's Child team from five cities, including the Freddie Mac Foundation, child welfare organizations and the T.V. stations who air the program during the evening news.
Wednesday's Child was honored along with two other 'national angels': Actress Nia Vardalos, who starred in the hit movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding, adopted a daughter through foster care and is the spokesperson for National Adoption Day, which the Foundation helped found in 2000. Cleveland Browns Linebacker Scott Fujita, an adoptee, was also honored for supporting adoption organizations and promoting the cause of children waiting for families. Previous national angels have included former First Lady Laura Bush, Bruce Willis, and Jane Seymour.
The national honorees joined 140 'Angel' families nominated by their Members of Congress for helping children who need a family.
In his acceptance remarks, Freddie Mac Foundation President and CEO Ralph Boyd, Jr., recognized the dedication, creativity and talent of all the partners joining him on stage, and their contributions as a team to such a worthy cause. He thanked the anchors, producers and program coordinators, highlighting a recent Los Angeles Wednesday's Child shoot he took part in – crouched in the back of a small plane, flown by an 11-year old Wednesday's Child with the pilot, while Los Angeles program coordinator Will Wong dangled below taking photos of the young man. Boyd recognized the hopes and dreams of the many Wednesday's Child children and the families who have opened their hearts and homes to them.
The Freddie Mac Foundation focuses on making home a place where children and families thrive. The Foundation is sustained by an endowment, an irrevocable trust created in 2003.
Foundation President and CEO Ralph Boyd with the Wednesday's Child team, including TV news anchors: Barbara Harrison – DC (center with award); Vai Sikahema – Philadelphia (left of podium);Christine Devine – LA (at right); and Amanda Davis – Atlanta (not shown).
Ralph Boyd with the Wednesday's Child hosts (left to right): LA Fox 11 anchor Christine Devine; Atlanta Fox 5 anchor Amanda Davis; Ralph Boyd, Freddie Mac Foundation President and CEO) (center); DC NBC4 anchor Barbara Harrison; and Philadelphia NBC10 anchor Vai Sikahema.
Nia Vardalos, star of the film My Big Fat Greek Wedding, was also honored as a National Angel. Amanda Davis is the FOX5 Atlanta program host (right). Belinda James (left) is the show's producer.