ST. GEORGE – Adoption gives families the opportunity to take in children that complete their home. Four adoption agencies in Utah came together Saturday for Celebrating Families Through Adoption. Premier Adoption, West Sands International, Foster Care for the State of Utah, and LDS Family Services hosted the event that had around 400 families attend.
Amy Bates and her children, Lizzie, Jimmy, Megan, Darren, attended this celebration. The kids all had a lot of fun and said they wished that it happened everyday,they enjoyed all of the activities that were provided at the event. Like many of the families in attendance, the Bates family has grown through adoption.
“I am very grateful for adoption” Amy Bates said.
“It’s made our family a lot bigger,” Lizzy, one of Amy Bates’ daughters, said.
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Videocast by Samantha Tommer, St. George News
Tracie Tice, Outreach Coordinator for Premier Adoption and Co-founder of Celebrating Families Through Adoption, works in the community to educate those interested in adoption. She goes to pregnancy centers, hospitals, and anywhere that families will come in contact with a birth mom.
“The sacrifice that these women chose to do is unbelievable,” Tice said. “Our family wouldn’t be a family if it were not for the birth moms. We want to celebrate families and completing families.”
Tice and her husband know what it is like to be impacted by adoption. They adopted their two daughters.
Celebrating Families through Adoption could not have been successful without the help of all these organizations and the community.
Debbie Hofhines, Utah Foster Care representative, was overwhelmed by the community’s support.
“The community has donated over $3,000 worth of items for prize drawings,” Hofhines said. This event could not have happened without the community support, she said.
For more information on adoption or to be educated in the process of adoption contact:
- Premier Adoption: 435-256-8132
- Utah Foster Care: 435-656- 8065
- West Sands Adoption: 435-986-1617
- LDS Family Services: 435-673- 6446
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Kids were able to trace their handprints and write their names inside, Celebrating Families Through Adoption event at Vernon Worthen Park, St. George, Utah, Nov. 9, 2013 | Photo by Samantha Tommer, St. George News
Many enjoyed getting their hair braided, Celebrating Families Through Adoption event at Vernon Worthen Park, St. George, Utah, Nov. 9, 2013 | Photo by Samantha Tommer, St. George News
There were many activities for everyone to do. One of the favorites was the rock climbing wall,Celebrating Families Through Adoption event at Vernon Worthen Park, St. George, Utah, Nov. 9, 2013 | Photo by Samantha Tommer, St. George News
Princesses and other characters came to meet those that attended the Celebrating Families Through Adoption event at Vernon Worthen Park, St. George, Utah, Nov. 9, 2013 | Photo by Samantha Tommer, St. George News
L-R: Lizzy, Amy (mother), Megan, Jimmy, and Darren Bates are a family who has been affected by adoption. The Bates came out to Celebrating Families Through Adoption event to celebrate with other families in St. George who have also been impacted by adoption, Vernon Worthen Park, St. George, Utah, Nov. 9, 2013 | Photo by Samantha Tommer, St. George News
Many adults and kids enjoyed musical chairs, Celebrating Families Through Adoption event at Vernon Worthen Park, St. George, Utah, Nov. 9, 2013 | Photo by Samantha Tommer, St. George News
Celebrating Families Through Adoption at Vernon Worthen Park in honor of National Adoption Day, St. George, Utah, Nov. 9, 2013 | Photo by, Samantha Tommer, St. George News
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