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Please join us in celebrating the wonderful women who have opened their hearts and homes to children from Arizona’s foster care system. In celebration of Mother’s Day, the Lodestar Family Connections Center is presenting this essay contest to highlight these caring mothers through the eyes, hearts, and words of their children.

The essay contest is an opportunity for adopted children to express their love and appreciation for their adoptive Moms and raise awareness about the need for more adoptive families for the over 10,000 children currently in Arizona’s child welfare system.

Kids, to enter, you must submit a one-page essay (maximum 400 words) on the following topic:

Henry Ward Beecher said that “the mother’s heart is the child’s schoolroom.” Moms who open up their hearts to kids who need to be adopted are special people with so much love and wisdom to give. Show YOUR mom that you’ve been listening by submitting a written essay about the important lessons that she has taught you.

Children ages 6-18 who have been adopted through the Arizona Department of Economic Security are eligible to participate. The essay contest is divided into two age categories (6-10 and 11-18, based on the child’s age as of May 14, 2006), with one winning entry for each age category. Winning essays will be published in The Arizona Republic and read on 12 News! Mothers of winning essayists will receive a fabulous prize package!

The submission must include the name of the child and parent, age of the child and birthday, date the child was adopted, phone number, mailing address and, if possible, email address. Essays may be emailed to mothersdayessay@lodestarfcc.org or faxed to (602) 212-2564 at the Lodestar Family Connections Center. Submissions must also include a faxed copy of the Arizona order of Adoption and both are due Friday, April 28th by 5:00 p.m.

Join us in celebrating Arizona’s Forever Families through your participation in this essay contest. Kids, make this Mother’s Day extra special for your mom by sharing your story through this contest!

For more information, please contact Amanda Lennberg at (602) 254-2275, x 272 or email mothersdayessay@lodestarfcc.org.

This contest is a collaboration of the Office of the Governor, the Lodestar Family Connections Center, The Arizona Republic and 12 News.