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Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club
PO Box 3003
Bellevue, WA 98009-3003
Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club Co-Hosts Adoption Party with Department of Social & Health Services
December 03, 2008
On October 4, 2008, the Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club (BBRC) co-hosted an adoption party with the Department of Social & Health Services (DSHS) at the Woodridge Elementary School in Bellevue. The main purpose of the party was to introduce foster children waiting for adoptive families to families waiting to adopt children in an emotionally safe and fun environment. Child/family matching events like this have been successful in many states over the last 25-years and are increasing in frequency across the Nation. In similar events hosted within Washington, there have been successful matches, with up to 50% of the children going to families that attended these gatherings.
The collaboration between the BBRC and the DSHS began on July 21, 2008, when BBRC President-Elect Margie Burnett initiated a meeting with Region IV Adoption Social worker Laurie Mayer to discuss the idea. From this meeting the idea of the BBRC co-hosting these events came to fruition, and the club subsequently raised awareness of the program within its own membership. It was warmly received both in terms of financial support in the sum of $2,000 and with BBRC volunteers to assist at the Woodridge Elementary School adoption party last October.
The first event had 20 families attend, and they were given an opportunity to meet 10 children at the school. The event resulted in success in that we had three children matched with families and another two who are being matched with families that attended this event. Families who attended the event felt that it was well organized and enjoyable, especially in light of the fact the majority were not aware of what to expect. The families were impressed with the comfort of the event and that the children enjoyed themselves. “BBRC learned a great deal from this experience, and we are excited about the initial success both with the number of children matched and the feedback we had from families attending this event. We were overwhelmed at the response, and we look forward to our continued support in this vital area for children in our community. The BBRC membership takes pride in supporting local activities that have such a profound impact in the lives of others,” said Jenny Andrews, President of the Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club. Laurie Mayer added, “We are excited and pleased at the generous support and outstanding effort provided to this adoption party by the BBRC. We look forward to their continued support in this effort and we are heartened by the party’s initial success.”
About Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club
The Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club (BBRC) is known as The Best Darn Club in the World, with a membership in excess of 120 community-minded individuals. The club was chartered in 1985 and its membership is dedicated to “service above self” and participating in Rotary International’s mission to promote understanding, goodwill, and world peace. The vision of the BBRC is to cultivate a dynamic membership that enhances our club values to serve our local and world communities, providing systemic and enduring change. If you are interested in learning more, please contact clubadmin@bbrc.net. |
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