Angels in - Pound Pup Legacy

for four years and then becoming Executive Director
in 1999. HOPE for Children has helped place over
625 children from nine different countries in loving
families. The organization places a strong emphasis
on preparing parents for adoption and postadoption
services, including support groups,
adoptive family reunions, and referral of appropriate
resources. Joe lobbied extensively and successfully to
increase the adoption tax credit. His dedication to
children makes him my 2003 Angel in Adoption .
Hawaii
Steven and Renee Saito
Senator Daniel Akaka
The story of Steven and Renee Saito eloquently
illustrates that is really does take a village to raise a
child. Steven and Renee had been married for many
years but were unable to bear children. After various
unsuccessful fertility treatments, they decided to
adopt. They explored local adoption but were told
expectant mothers who planned to place their
children for adoption preferred younger parents.
The couple then contacted an international
adoption agency in March 1996 and began the
adoption process. They heard that there were many
Chinese babies who needed homes. The entire
process took a little over a year, and in April 1997,
they flew to Wuhan, China to meet Sage, just a
year old when she arrived home to Wailuku on the
island of Maui.
Renee says, “It has been over six years since we
became a family. We love our daughter more than
words can describe. Sage grew in our hearts and
she is our child. Sage also has special needs and
works very hard at overcoming her challenges. With
God’s grace and the love and assistance of many
good people, Sage is blossoming. We are very
proud of her!”
Idaho
Meri Brennan
Senator Mike Crapo
Determined to find permanent families for more
special-needs children in foster care throughout her
state, Adoption Specialist Meri Brennan brought the
television feature Wednesday’s Child to Idaho.
Through her hard-work and perseverance, Brennan
has garnered the support of over 80 local business
and government leaders and secured community
and in-kind contributions of goods and services as
well as annual contributions of $200,000. Brennan
works with two television stations, two radio
stations, and four newspapers to reach potential
parents throughout the state. Since its introduction
to Idaho in November 1998, Brennan and
Wednesday’s Child have helped over 145 waiting
youth to be placed with loving families.
Jay and Sally Hildebrandt
Senator Larry E. Craig
Jay and Sally Hildebrandt are making an enormous
difference in the lives of Idaho’s most vulnerable
children. Their family, five children and three
grandchildren, has opened home and hearts to 50
foster children awaiting adoption or reunification.
As news anchor for KIFI-TV in Idaho Falls, Jay is one of
the most familiar faces of adoption advocacy in the
state through his work on Wednesday’s Child. For
nearly 20 years, he has been the force keeping this
extremely successful program going, each week
featuring a child in need of a Big Brother or Sister, a
foster home, or an adoptive family. He has even
managed to break through geographic barriers and
has helped waiting children in the neighboring states
of Washington, Utah, and Nevada, as well. For their
ongoing commitment to the abused and neglected
children of the region, Jay and Sally Hildebrandt
deserve to be recognized as true Angels in Adoption .
John and Denise Martin
Representative C.L. “Butch” Otter
Denise and John Martin have dedicated themselves
to the care and support of all members of the
adoption community. They have contributed in
every way from supporting foster parents and
organizing events for foster children, to involving
members of the outside community to help. Denise
publishes a newsletter for foster parents, and assists
them with such needs as respite care – often
providing this service herself. She is well known for
organizing such service projects as making blankets
and snack packs to give to foster children. In
addition, she works with the Boys and Girls Club to
organize a monthly overnight activity for older
foster children. Denise and John also have adopted
a daughter themselves. They are leaders in their
community, providing guidance and support to
those who need it most.
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