Jalene and Michael Potter pose with their children Evan and Abby at the Fifth Annual Luncheon of Spaulding for Children held on November 12. The family adopted Abby last year through the organization.

"In the south Texas area there are over 350 children available and ready for adoption," said Agnes Zarcaro, south Texas Manager of Spaulding for Children at their November 12 Benefit Luncheon at Omni Bayfront Hotel.

Family members who have adopted children through Spaulding for children, community leaders, donors, supporters and staff members were among the many in attendance at the fifth annual luncheon which raised community awareness and funds for the not-for-profit organization, which has placed children in loving homes for over 29 years.

Zarcaro said that over 6,300 children are available for adoption in the state of Texas and children go into foster care at a rate of about 13% per year.

"After parental rights are terminated they wait in foster care an average of three to five years, moving from foster home to foster home, sometimes three to four homes before finally being adopted."

This year Spaulding for Children in the south Texas area has placed several children with loving families. One child, an eight-year-old boy, who moved nine times and waited five years before being adopted, now has a dog, two grandparents and two parents.

In another case, Spaulding for children found homes for two sets of sisters. One set of sisters (ages 10 and 14) and another set (ages 9 and 13) were placed with two different families who also happen to be close friends.

Another success story involved four children ages 2, 3, 4, and 8, all from the same family, all adopted by one family.

Spaulding for Children specializes in recruiting and educating families and then continuing to support those families as they take older children into their home.

The agency provides a monthly support group and expenses paid family retreat twice a year.

"The families don't have to worry about money. They can learn about each other on these retreats and develop camaraderie," said Zarcaro.

"Our mission is to provide children in need of a loving home with the joy of having one," she added.

"We can't be complacent with placements that have been made. We don't want the children to grow up in the system."

The Potter family adopted Abigail last year. Michael, Jalene and Evan Potter thanked Spaulding for Children for adding "Abby" to their family.

"Spaulding for Children helped us deal with our already child. It was almost like a parenting class," said Michael. "It prepared us for a lot more than just adoption."

Michael said he had been given three blessings in his life: his wife, Jalene; his biological son, Evan and his adopted daughter, Abby. "It's like I have been granted three wishes and I'm waiting for the genie to disappear.

"Dreams do come true. Abby fits right in. She's one of us," said Michael while looking at his family and "these two," he continued looking at Evan and Abby, "within 20 minutes of getting to know each other were rolling around in the hay."

Jalene then handed Abby to Michael and said, "We had one criteria from Spaulding we wanted a child younger than Evan. Evan wanted to be the eldest. After one month of training and courses we had this blond hair, blue eyed, three-year-old girl, Abby.

"God has our life planned out for us and this is where he has put us. Spaulding for Children has helped us increase our family and we thank you for your support."

The microphone was then lowered for Evan, the eldest sibling, and speaking very softly he said, "Thank you for bringing Abby to my family. Abby is the perfect girl for our family and I like her."