During the final few months of the year — when we celebrate the holidays and spend more time at home — we all take the time to be grateful for our families and friends. November, in addition to being the month of Thanksgiving, is actually National Adoption Month, which celebrates adoptive families and raises awareness about all the kids who live in foster care across the country. Adoptive and foster parents are absolutely incredible people, but not everyone has the ability to be an adoptive or foster parent — and that's okay! If you want to support adoption and foster care efforts without taking in a child of your own, there are so many things you can do. Below, learn more about how to support adoption and foster care efforts around the country.
1. Mentor/Tutor Kids in Foster Care
Kids in foster care can really benefit from having lots of positive adult role models in their lives — aside from just their foster parents. If you have the ability to tutor, that can help kids succeed in school, which can set them up for success in the future. If tutoring isn’t your thing, that’s okay — you can be a mentor! Often, mentors spend time with kids doing fun activities, like playing outside, going to museums, or going out for a meal together. This gives the kids a chance to unwind, relax, and talk about anything that might be going on in their lives.
2. Support Friends & Family Members Who Are Adoptive or Foster Parents
Adopting or fostering kids is a noble thing to do, but it isn’t always easy. One of the best ways to help with adoption and foster care efforts is to support your friends/family members who bring new kids into their homes. Two things you can do are: provide emotional support by being a good listener; and offer to babysit/hang out with the kids to give the parents a little break.
3. Offer Free Photography/Videography Services for Adoption Agencies
Adoption agencies all around the country use photos and videos to help prospective families become familiar with the kids. Plus, every family deserves to have professional quality photos — so when kids are adopted (whether directly or through foster care) it’s a big deal to capture the moment the family becomes “official.”
4. Patronize Businesses That Support Adoption & Foster Care Organizations
One of the easiest ways to support adoption and foster care efforts is to patronize businesses that support foster and adoption organizations. One company that has a long history of supporting these organizations is Wendy’s! For more than 25 years, Wendy’s and The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption (DTFA) have worked together to positively impact the lives of nearly 10,000 children who have been adopted into permanent and loving families as a result of Wendy’s Wonderful Kids (WWK). Wendy’s has two key initiatives throughout the months of November and December that support DTFA: the DTFA Beverage Program (available now-11/29), where customers can get a free any-size beverage with a purchase, and Coke & Dr Pepper will donate $5 to DTFA for every mobile offer redeemed; and Frosty Key Tags (available 11/28-12/31), where customers can buy $2 Tags that give them free Frosty treats for a year and support DTFA.
5. Fundraise/Donate Supplies for Adoption Agencies & Foster Care Organizations
Adoption agencies and foster care organizations can always benefit from donations — whether that’s money or products. If you have your own money you want to donate, that’s great, but you can also fundraise by doing bake sales, garage sales, and more. Children in foster care can also benefit from product donations — like school supplies, clothing, care packages, and birthday/holiday gifts.
DTFA Beverage Offer:
At participating U.S. Wendy’s. A la carte only. For each offer redeemed via the app through 11/29/2020, $5 will be donated to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, up to a maximum of $500,000. See the app for details.
“Coca-Cola” and “Diet Coke” are registered trademarks of The Coca-Cola Company
DR PEPPER is a registered trademark of Dr Pepper/Seven Up, Inc.
Frosty Key Tag Offer:
At participating U.S. locations. 85 percent of every $2 Frosty Key Tag sold from 11/23/2020 to 1/31/2021 will benefit the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. Key Tags valid from 1/1/2021 – 12/31/2021. One free Jr. Frosty per visit with any purchase.
