Over 400 Walk for Love at the Avenue – Event raises awareness about child adoptions in Brevard
By Geo A. Ropert, APR
MELBOURNE, FL – The reading of a proclamation from the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners naming November 20 as “National Adoption Day in Brevard” kicked off Brevard Family Partnership’s fifth annual “Walk for Love” to raise awareness of Brevard County children who are available for adoption.
With a picture perfect, cool fall morning as a backdrop, over 400 participants came to the Avenue Viera for a three-mile walk that started and ended in the Avenue’s courtyard, with the midway point at the county’s Government Center complex. BFP’s chief operating officer, Jim Carlson, lead the walk out of the Avenue, joined by adoptive families and the family and friends who support them, along with community leaders, community service providers, BFP staff and some “four-legged friends,” as several attending brought their dogs along.
The event included displays by local community service providers; children’s activities, including a bounce house, clowns and face-painters; entertainment by the Merritt Island All Stars and the Magic All Stars dance and gymnastics troupes; and music by DF John Leach. Krispy Kreme of Melbourne provided donuts for breakfast, lunch was hosted by Panera Bread at the Avenue, and Culligan Water made sure there was plenty of water to keep the thirsty walkers cool and refreshed throughout the course.
The event capped off a week of celebrating child adoptions in Brevard. Earlier in the week, 13 children, from ages one to fifteen became members of “forever families” during a Celebration of Adoption ceremony held by dependency court judge Charlie Crawford at the Brevard County courthouse, in Viera.
Since 2005, Brevard Family Partnership has helped place over 400 children in “forever homes” with loving families; from July 2009 though June 2010, BFP placed 76 children with “forever families.” According to the Administration for Children and Families, each year throughout the U.S. more than 129,000 children are available for adoption.
Brevard Family Partnership would like to thank the many sponsors who helped to make the 5th annual Walk for Love a great success… 30 Minute Massage by Heather; The Avenue Viera; Brevard Zoo; Carrabba’s Restaurant; Chili’s Restaurant; Coca Cola of Brevard; Culligan Water; Horizon’s Hair Salon; Jewels by Parklane; Kay’s BBQ Restaurant; Krispy Kreme Donuts; Mary Kay Representative Rose Savoy; Miche Bags; Nails and More Salon; Panera Bread Viera; PB Automotive; Premiere Designs High Fashion Jewelry – Freda Rigby; Snip Its Salon; and Soprano’s Pizza.
Contact Ropert at: Geo.Ropert@BrevardFP.org
