Page 10 - Florida Sentinel 12-9-16 Online Edition

Local
Group To Present Final Gospel Program Of Year
Foster Children Find Homes With Tampa Families
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Normally, adoptions are considered personal and are handled in a private manner. However, on November 15th, was Hillsborough National Adoption Day.
On that day, the children, their prospective families, in- vited guests and the media gathered at the George Edge- comb Courthouse for the of- ficial adoption ceremony.
Each year in November the National Adoption Day is held in conjunction with Na- tional Adoption Month. The purpose is to raise awareness about the adoption of chil- dren and teenagers from fos- ter care.
So, it was quite an event for several Tampa families who welcomed new members into their homes, their hearts, and into their lives. A total of 19 children were adopted.
And, in some cases, the children had waited their en- tire lives to find a permanent place to call home.
Eric and Jennifer Adams are among the fami- lies adding new members to their home. The couple adopted Ella three years ago and MacKenzie a year later. Last month, Layla became their daughter as well.
Being longstanding foster parents, Layla has lived with the Adams’ since she was two months old.
Eckerd Kids and their partners believe there are no unwanted children, just un- found families and hope events like this inspire others to reach out and find out more about how they can change the life of a child.
A host of community partners participated in Hillsborough National Adop- tion Day. They included: have joined together to plan this year’s event to include Eckerd Community Alterna- tives, Hillsborough; Thir- teenth Judicial Circuit Courts; Guardian ad Litem Program; Camelot Commu- nity Care; Children’s Home Society; Devereux; Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services; One Hope United; Youth and Family Alternatives; the Jun- ior League of Tampa; Chil- dren’s Board Heart Gallery of Tampa Bay; The Department of Children and Families and other generous sponsors.
Adams Family
Jennifer and Eric Adams with daughter, Layla
CUT POOH & THE INSPIRATIONS
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Throughout the year, T. Pooh McClary host gospel concerts. On Sunday, Decem- ber 11th, the young man, who is the founder of Pooh & the Inspirations, will host his final program of the year.
The event, entitled,
“Songs Of The Season,”
will take place 6 p.m., at True Holiness Church, 3800 N. Nebraska Ave. The Suwannee Quartet will be the special guests performing at the con- cert.
McClary said, “We are inviting everyone in the com- munity to come out and enjoy our special guests as well as many other groups who will participate in the program.
For more than 20 years,
McClary and the group has provided gospel entertain- ment to the community through a variety of concerts and programs.
McClary said the group sings original songs members of the group wrote. He and Sedric Floyd, who was a member of Pooh & the Young Inspirations, are two of the writers.
Current members of Pooh & The Inspirations are: T. Pooh McClary, Ms. Mimi Jones, Clarence Gunter, Andrew Holder, Joe Williams, Johnny Jenk- ins, Eugene Atkins, Jer- maine Smith, Marlo Kelley, Andrew Holder, and Cicero Carr.
McClary said, “We are just inviting everyone to come out and have a good time,” McClary said.
Eckerd Staff
Shown in this photograph from left to right are: Lorita Shirley, Chief of Community Based Care with Eckerd Kids, Judge Kather- ine Essrig, 3th Judicial Circuit, Phyllis Ho, Director of Adoptions with Eckerd Community Alternatives, and Jody Grutza, Executive Director of Eckerd Community Alternatives, Hillsborough.
PAGE 10-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2016