Angels in - Pound Pup Legacy

Brad and Sandy Powers
Senator Mark Dayton
In 1997, Sandy and Brad Powers expanded their
family of five by adopting 13-month-old Ratana Var
Powers from a Cambodian Orphanage. Based on
their positive experience with their first adoption,
they decided to adopt another child from
Cambodia. In 1999, they welcomed two-year-old
Seyma Pharey Powers into their home.
Sandy and Brad Powers were happy to provide a
loving and caring family for their two adoptive
children but still grieved for the thousands of
orphans in Cambodia who were still in need of
permanency.
Over the past four years, Sandy assumed a local
leadership role in two national fundraising
campaigns to help improve the conditions in
Cambodian orphanages. Through The Sharing
Foundation, Sandy raised over $13,000 from local
church groups and individuals to build a new
kitchen in the state-run Orphanage in Kompong
Speu, Cambodia. She is currently working with the
“Adopt for the Love of a Child” (Adopt TLC)
program, sponsored by the Kai’s Kids organization,
to raise money to build a new orphanage in
Kompong Speu. She has raised over $8,000 for this
effort in addition to receiving $2,500 in pledges
from local Rotary Clubs that will possibly match
donations made from the International Rotary
Matching Grant Foundation.
Sandy also organizes an annual picnic for
families from Minnesota, South Dakota, Iowa and
Wisconsin who have adopted children from
Cambodia, allowing the children to meet one
another and share their common culture.
Mississippi
Drew and Nancy McDowell
Senator Thad Cochran
Nancy and Drew McDowell have adopted 40
children – some of whom were labeled
“unadoptable,” something the McDowells have so
aptly demonstrated is an inaccurate description of
any child.e, happiness, and warmth in their home
are contagious and the positive attitudes of the
children provide eloquent testimony to their
dedication and success as parents. The McDowells
adopt for no other reason than a true love for
children and a heart for adoption. Their community
has come together to build a 15-bedroom home to
house the family as well as children they wish to
adopt in the future. Their dedication and
commitment to children make them every deserving
of the Angel in Adoption Award.
Missouri
George and Cyrilla Bender
Representative Karen McCarthy
George and Cyrilla Bender have been foster parents
to 75 children, two of whom they have been able
to adopt. In 1996 they founded the organization,
Mothers Outraged at Molesters (M.O.M.s) and after
recognizing the need for public awareness, created
a website to help prevent sexual abuse in children.
This is an all volunteer organization which includes
a hot line in their home, an illustration of the
dedication they have to their cause. They were
recognized in a Resolution from the Missouri Senate
and House of Representatives in 1996 and 2001 for
their efforts. In 1999 they were guests on the
National Syndicated Leeza Gibbons show. In 2001
they were presented the Governor’s Award for the
Restorative Justice Program for speaking to
prisoners about the after effect of abuse on
children. That same year they were the only
organization in Missouri to be asked for their input
on a Federal Law called Amie’s law, which gives no
second chance to sex offenders. They started a chat
room for parents of abused children, and counseled
victims. They were awarded for having a safe site
for kids: weredkids.org and continue to speak in
schools to parents about safety for themselves as
well as their children. In 2002 the Benders
successfully added a sex offenders list on their
website. With the help of Missouri State Senator
Matt Bartle, SB0184 - Sex Offenders Information
and Pictures on the Internet passed both the
Missouri House and Senate this year. The Bender’s
compassionate advocacy is an inspiration to all in
caring and helping keep our children safe.
Joan Bystrom
Senator James M. Talent
Joan Bystrom is the executive director of the
Christian Family Life Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
Her dedication to both prospective adoptive parents
and to Romanian children radiates from her
enthusiastic and positive personality. It is largely
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