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Date: May 17, 2006

Contact: Andrew Beal (828-426-8254; abeal@co.caldwell.nc.us)

Above (Left to Right): Supervisor Wendy Pyle, Tim Shane, and Social Worker Valerie Ackerman.

Foster Parents Recognized for Outstanding Service

LENOIR—Caldwell County residents who make a special commitment to children were honored at a Foster Parent Appreciation Picnic on Saturday, May 13.  The annual event organized by the Caldwell County Department of Social Services, which coincides with National Foster Care Month, was held this year at Camp Carolwood .  Among the highlights was the presentation of the 2006 Foster Parent of the Year Award to Tim Shane.  According to the written nomination for the award, Shane is “an advocate for the children.  His positive attitude and willing spirit are to be admired.  You can call him in the middle of the night and he doesn’t question anything, other than to ask you if you want a cup of coffee.  He finds everything positive in the children…he is very patient and understanding….He allows kids to be themselves and is very active with them: shopping, going out to eat, and taking vacations.  He is the epitome of a good foster parent….[Shane] has a genuine compassion about him and he truly loves being a parent.”

Shane said he was “overwhelmed” by the unexpected honor.  A foster and adoptive parent since the early 1980s, Shane said he first became involved after a mother voluntarily placed her deaf child in his care.  Later, the child expressed a desire to have a deaf younger brother, which led Shane to contact the Department of Social Services.  He ended up adopting three other children before finally adopting another deaf child.  Originally, Shane said, he did not want to become a foster parent, because he feared becoming attached to a child who would only be in his care temporarily.  But after his original adoptive children were grown, Shane decided to try foster parenting, a decision he has not regretted.  Over the years, Shane has adopted nine children.  Currently, he is caring for two children in foster care, and three adopted children. 

“There’s no such thing as a bad kid…There have been difficult kids at times, and I might have thought, ‘Why do I keep doing this?’ but I have been the beneficiary, because I have been able to see the kids grow,” Shane remarked.  “Virtually every child has kept in touch with me [after reaching adulthood].  I feel blessed.  I have many ‘grandkids’ now.”

In addition to the award plaque, Shane was presented with a leather office chair.  Door prizes were also awarded to the other foster parents, including one grand prize: a two-night stay at the Green Park Inn, with massages included.  All prizes were donated by businesses and citizens in the community.

Foster parents, children, and social workers in attendance were also treated to entertainment provided by musicians Gary Saunders, Rick Everhardt, and Bob Henson, also known as ‘The Neighbors.’

Anyone interested in becoming a foster parent should contact Valerie Ackerman at the Department of Social Services (426-8281).

See also: Foster Care.

We are a United Way of Caldwell County Agency

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