Friends of Adoption Manitoba Inc. (FAM) is a not-for-profit organization, incorporated in December 2009,
that provides information to people who are beginning to think about adoption, people who have decided to adopt, and those
who have already had a child join their family through adoption. FAM supports all adoption approaches including international,
domestic, infant, older child, open and closed adoptions.
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Candle Lighting Ceremony Kicks Off Adoption Awareness Month
The fifth annual Candle Lighting Ceremony took place at 6:00 pm on Sunday, November 1st, 2009 with approximately 75 members of
families brought together by adoption gathered on the steps of the Legislative Building. The ceremony, organized by Friends of
Adoption Manitoba (FAM), celebrates the “forever families” that are created through various means of adoption.
The Candle Lighting Ceremony kicked off Adoption Awareness Month, which is an internationally proclaimed celebration to promote
adoption and raise awareness of the thousands of children in North America and countries abroad, who are waiting for permanent
homes.
Doug Martindale, MLA for Burrows attended the ceremony to speak on behalf of Gord Mackintosh, Minister of Family Services and
Housing and proclaimed November 2nd through 8th Manitoba Adoption Awareness Week. Shelly Glover, MP for Saint Boniface was also
in attendance.
In addition to the more formal part of the evening, Kevin and Sarah Daeninck along with Ivan and Carmelle Normandeau, couples
that both recently adopted through Adoption Options, shared their personal stories. The ceremony has become an important tradition
to honour and celebrate families created and touched by adoption, as well as acknowledge the agencies that help bring these
families together. At this year’s ceremony, FAM honoured Adoption Options for their upcoming 20 year anniversary.
Nancy Aaslund from Kindermusik Discovery and Bev Josefchuk provided entertainment, songs and fun for children and adults alike.
Handmade shaker’s, with beads provided by POCO Creations and Beads, were given to the children and contributed to the excitement
and festivities. As the candles were lit, those in attendance were handed song sheets and joined together to honour the children
and families by singing “Weave” by Rosemary Crow. Karla Boyechko was in attendance for the third year to capture the memories of
the evening on film.
After the ceremony, everyone gathered in the Legislative Rotunda to share thoughts and stories, and enjoy food and refreshments
which were provided by Canada Safeway and Benji Miles.