The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute’s (CCAI) Angels in Adoption™ Program honors individuals, couples, and organizations that have made extraordinary contributions on behalf of children in need of families. These heroes hail from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico and represent the wide spectrum of individuals involved in the adoption and foster care process.
Since the program’s inception in 1999, almost 2,000 Angels have received this honor. CCAI also awards a select number of National Angels in Adoption™. As the name implies, these are individuals whose contributions in the fields of adoption or foster care have had a national impact. Past recipients of this award include Korie and Willie Robertson, Katherine Heigl and Josh Kelley.  We can now add local Brentwood moms, Gwen Oatsvall and Suzanne Maynerick to that list.
Gwen and Suzanne started 147 Million Orphans back in 2009.  What began as a t-shirt design to raise awareness and funding for an adoptions is now a full fledged non profit organization benefitting the critical needs of children across four countries.  As a personal friend to these moms  we have all bonded over adoption.  I’ve personally watched them grow their vision over the last five years. It is inspiring to see just what two moms can do with a little vision and faith.
I sat down with Gwen after her trip to Washington, DC to find out more about the Angel in Adoption Award and just how does two moms with 13 children between them ( 7 of those children are adopted) Â leave town for a few days?
Congratulations on your award, can you tell us more about your trip to Washington, DC?
Gwen:Â 147 Million Orphans was awarded the Angels In Adoption by CCAI. Congresswoman, Marsha Blackburn. nominated us and we were awarded the honor. Mrs. Blackburn and her office have been so kind and helpful lately to 147 Million Orphans. Her office helped us to acquire visas for a work visit with some of our Honduran program members. We were excited to receive the award and to get to visit in D.C. with Congresswoman Blackburn and others in Congress and the Senate to discuss the issue of adoption and vulnerable children.
How do you and Suzanne plan for  a trip with such a large family?
Gwen: Well it is true what they say that it takes a village … Our husbands are amazing at holding down the fort and then we have friends/family that come in and help pick up the rest. We make a list of events, buy extra groceries, and make sure teachers are notified just in case the kiddos coming to school looking like Punky Bruster and forget their homework … Our kids know that when we leave that we are serving and sharing for vulnerable children, so they are really supportive and go with the flow.
What’s next for you and Suzanne?
Gwen: We are leaving next week on a medical serving trip  to Honduras with local doctors, nurses, etc … We schedule 2 of these trips a year to go into the areas we serve in Honduras and offer medical care to people who otherwise would not get any. We are humbled and excited for this trip and so thankful for the doctors, nurses, and dentist that give of their time to go and serve with us.
You and Suzanne have written a book, can you tell us about it?
Gwen: Our book will be released January 2015 by B&H Publishing (Lifeway’s Publishing House) … The title is ONE “Impossible Starts Here” with the foreword being written by our dear friend Katie Davis.  Saying “Yes” to our first adoption began that spark of 147 Million Orphans and we wanted to tell the story how saying “Yes” can truly be a life changer.
Thanks Gwen! Â I can’t wait to read your book. Â If you want to learn more about the mission of 147 Million Orphans, go here.
