Despite the threat of a hurricane, this year’s Holt Family Picnic in New Jersey proved a great success. Highlighted by the presentation of the Molly Holt Award to Holt International ambassadors George and Michele Smith, the picnic entertained 21 Holt families at all stages of the adoption process.
Hurricane Hannah was making its way up the eastern U.S. coastline at 25 mph with the possibility of arriving in New Jersey the same time as the picnic, bringing with it an estimated 3-5 inches of rain and winds up to 50 mph. Holt staff and local picnic coordinators knew the impact on attendance was a given, but the wind and rain held off until 2 p.m. The kids didn’t seem to notice a tropical storm was on the way—they hit the playground equipment as quickly as possible. Most families set up their picnics in the covered pavilion, which made for great interaction and mingling. Families included those whose children are grown adults and those just considering adoption through Holt—with all stages in between. A panel of adult adoptees shared their adoption stories and fielded questions from parents.
Molly Holt Award
The presentation of the Molly Holt Award to George and Michele Smith, local picnic coordinators, offered a special highlight. The award is given each year to one family or individual for selflessly volunteering their time and service with loving care and concern to help homeless children around the world. George and Michele Smith are adoptive parents of a son, Colin, from Korea. For the past 14 years, George and Michele have led the picnic planning committee in New Jersey. Read the rest of this entry »
Hot diggity dog, it’s still summer time! Come celebrate children from near and far at Holt’s annual picnic in Lakewood, NJ. All are welcome! There will be a special meet-and-greet session for new and prospective adoptive families to talk with Holt staff about adoption. There will also be fun children’s activities and special programming — for all ages. Bring a friend, a picnic lunch for your family, family photos, and be prepared for a day of fun, food, friends all in the spirit of celebrating adoption.
When: September 6th, 2008 11:00 a.m. — 3:00 p.m. Where: Lakewood, NJ
What to Bring: A friend who is interested in learning more about Holt’s mission.
Volunteers needed! If you want to help out, email Sally Dunbar or call: (888)355.HOLT ext.137.
Food, fun and valuable information about adoption! What more can you ask for at a picnic celebrating adoption? More than 110 people attended Holt International’s annual picnic in the greater Chicago area last Saturday to do just that—picnic together and celebrate adoption. Families from as far away as Iowa, Wisconsin, and Indiana made the trek to Veterans Memorial Park in Westmont, Illinois, to meet with old friends and make new ones.
The mix of families was truly wonderful, from those who adopted their children more than 10 years ago to families who had just received a match to families who were still selecting an agency. Representatives from two of Holt International’s cooperating agencies, The Cradle and Lutheran Social Services, were also there to spend time getting to know Holt’s adoptive families.Activities included a grand potluck, a creative twist to the game of bingo, sack races, piñatas, water balloon tossing, and many other relay games. Adults listened intently to an update of all the latest goings-on in Holt’s adoption programs, including the opening of Holt’s newest adoption program in Nepal. Agency staff representatives were on hand to answer questions.
Be sure to attend a Holt picnic close to you. Click here for a list of remaining 2008 picnics.
Portland, Oregon—First given in 1979, the Bertha Holt Award honors those who have selflessly, and with loving care and concern, given themselves in personal service to help homeless children of the world.
The 2008 Award was presented in honor of Myrtle Croy, the second employee ever hired by Harry and Bertha Holt. She worked for Holt International from the late 1950s until 1976, helping to develop Holt’s adoption work. Korean adoptee Stephen Nelson recalled Mrs. Croy as the “angel” who helped him find a family in 1959, cooked for him when he visited, and joined him in intercessory prayer for his son when she was 99. “I could not imagine not having her to call and talk to, or living without her prayers for me and my family,” he wrote for her memorial. Mrs. Croy passed away October 2006 at age 100.
Holt President and CEO Gary Gamer presented the award June 28 at Holt International’s Portland, Oregon, picnic to Myrtle Croy’s granddaughter, Maria Copelan. Maria drove her grandmother’s old baby blue VW bug to the picnic, the same car Mrs. Croy brought to the picnics, where she was once a familiar face. Mrs. Croy used to travel the nation checking on adopted children and their families in that same VW bug, Maria said. And she remembers that her grandmother prayed regularly for the children for whom she helped find families.
Holt International’s Annual Picnic in Portland — Saturday, June 28th, from 11:00a.m. – 3:00p.m. at Washington Park (in the Elephant House Shelter next to the playground equipment in the back of the park), in Portland. I hope you, your family, and friends can join us for a day of food and fun – all in the spirit of celebrating adoption. This year, Holt International’s President and CEO, Gary Gamer, will be there to spend time with families and present the Bertha Holt Award to Maria Copelan, in honor of her grandmother, Myrtle Croy, who was the second employee ever hired by Mr. and Mrs. Holt. Myrtle Croy was a familiar face at Holt’s annual picnics. Some may recall her blue Volkswagen Beetle pulling up to the picnic site year after year – Maria hopes to drive it to the picnic this year as her grandmother would have done. We are honored for this opportunity and hope you can join us in celebrating Myrtle Croy’s memory of serving Holt for nearly 20 years.
Please bring a main dish or side dish to share for the potluck-style picnic lunch (enough to feed 4-6 people). You might also want to bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket to ensure there are enough options for where to sit. Holt International will provided bottled water.
We will also have an informal meet-and-greet time for new and prospective families to meet Holt staff and ask questions about our adoption programs, so please invite anyone you know who is considering inter-country adoption. We have exciting information to share about the China Child of Promise Option Adoption Program as well as the Ethiopia Program and others.
If you would like to volunteer at this Holt Family picnic event, contact Sally Dunbar at 1-888-355-HOLT
Hot diggity dog it’s summer time! Come celebrate children from near and far at Holt’s annual picnic in Sacramento, California. All are welcome! There will be a special meet-and-greet session for new and prospective adoptive families to talk with Holt staff about adoption. There will also be fun children’s activities and special programming — for all ages. Bring a friend, a picnic lunch for your family, family photos, and be prepared for a day of fun, food, friends all in the spirit of celebrating adoption.
When: June 7, 2008 11:00 a.m. — 3:00 p.m. Where: Royer Park —190 Park DriveRoseville, CA 95678
What to Bring: A friend who is interested in learning more about Holt’s mission.
Volunteers needed! If you want to help out, email Sally Dunbar or call: (888)355.HOLT ext.137.
entertained 21 Holt families at all stages of the adoption process.
