Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!enterpoop.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.life From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: RIBBONS celebrates ties that bind foster families Date: Wed, 25 Nov 92 16:20:05 EST Message-ID: Lines: 42 \SE E;LIFE;WAY OF LIFE \HD RIBBONS celebrates ties that bind foster families Four area families who have opened their homes and hearts to others are being recognized this week during National Family Week. RIBBONS, a coalition of nonprofit human-service agencies operating in the national capital area is recognizing the families for their "strength and vitality." During eight of the 10 years Leroy and Frances Chapman of Clinton have been married, they have taken in 18 young people in need of foster care, according to a RIBBONS news release. As foster parents for Family Service Foundation Inc., part of the RIBBONS coalition, the Chapmans say their experience has given them "many wonderful moments." George and Nora Payne have been volunteers with Northern Virginia Family Service's "Friends of Kids" program, which matches caring individuals with children 6 to 12 years old. The Paynes have expanded their own family to include children to whom they have offered a supportive friendship. Although Liz and Kurt Brandenburg of Gaithersburg both work full time, they have taken the time to include their two children in their volunteer activities for Family Services Agency Inc. The Brandenburgs say they believe it is important to show their children by example that volunteering is part of their family routine. When Charles and Janet Wellborn agreed to be foster parents for Family and Child Services of Washington, D.C., they never imagined how it would change their family. With their only son in college, the Wellborns became foster parents to twins and their younger brother. Several years later they asked to adopt all three children. With the final adoption decrees their family is complete. National Family Week was decreed by Congress to recognize the strengths of the American family. This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM