Rutherford Weekly

Page 16 - Rutherford Weekly www.rutherfordweekly.com 828-248-1408 Street Talk Have You Ever, Or Do You Use Tobacco Products? Donna Vassey Chuck Smith Brandon Smith I have never smoked in my life and don't intend to. It's a lot healthier not to use any tobacco products. Yes, I still do. I've been smoking for over 30 years. No. I have never chewed, dipped or smoked cigars or cigarettes and don't intend to. Kenny Moore I don't smoke or use any tobacco products. I don't because it's nasty. CHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY CELEBRATES NATIONAL ADOPTION AWARENESS MONTH Each year, November is recognized as National Adoption Awareness Month. While all adoption-related issues are important, the particular focus of this month is the adoption of children living in foster care. In North Carolina, over 8,600 children are part of the foster care system, including more than 2,200 children available and awaiting permanent adoptive families. These children are in need of a family to love, nurture, and protect them. They come from a variety of backgrounds. Some have special needs, some are part of a sibling group, and many are older children or teenagers. Often the public is unaware of these children and the realities of adoption. National Adoption Awareness Month provides organizations, including CHS, with a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness. CHS has several initiatives occurring throughout November to help raise adoption awareness, including our searchable online database as well as free information sessions for those interested in learning more about foster care and adoption. One key way CHS promotes adoption is through our online searchable database of waiting children at www.chsnc. org. This database can shorten the matching process for children by quickly connecting children with families interested in adoption. This database allows those interested in adoption to quickly, easily, and efficiently search for children who are waiting for a forever family. Families can simply enter the characteristics of the child they are interested in and a list containing photographs and short biographies of matching children will be created. From there, families can view the children in greater detail by watching their "Stories From My Heart" video interviews. Social workers, DSS, and other placement agencies are also able to use the database to search for possible adoptive families. Thursday, November 7-November 13, 2013 You can access the database by visiting www.chsnc.org and clicking on "Meet Waiting Children." The CHS website contains a wealth of information to help families decide if adoption or foster care is right for them. The website also offers information about other programs—such as advice for birth parents considering adoption, information on upcoming parenting classes, and much more. Anyone interested in finding out more about adoption or foster care is invited to attend one of the CHS information meetings across the state. In November these free, no obligation meetings will be held in Charlotte, Elizabeth City, Fayetteville, Gastonia, Greenville, and Wilmington. To learn more contact CHS at 1-800-632-1400 or visit our website, www.chsnc.org and click on "Events." The first major effort to promote awareness of the need for adoptive families for children in foster care occurred in Massachusetts in 1976, when then-Governor Michael Dukakis announced an Adoption Week. The idea grew in popularity and spread nationwide. In 1984, President Reagan proclaimed the first National Adoption Week, and in 1995, under President Clinton, the week was expanded to the entire month of November due to the number of states participating and the number of events. Every November, a Presidential Proclamation launches activities and celebrations to help build awareness of adoption throughout the nation. Thousands of community organizations arrange and host programs, events, and activities to share positive adoption stories, challenge the myths, and draw attention to the tens of thousands of children in foster care who wait and hope for permanent families. National Adoption Day is November 17 which is observed in courthouses across the nation as thousands of adoptions are finalized simultaneously. Article compliments of: Dillard Spring Director of Marketing Children's Home Society of NC Kevin Dalton I did at one time. I was a light smoker, smoking about a pack every three days. I quit a year and a half ago. 13,679 This year people who read Rutherford Weekly plan to purchase an automobile.* That's a lot of cars. To advertise call 828-248-1408 We Sell Results *Source: 2012 CVC Publication Report Audit. View entire audit at www.cfmedia.info RutherfordWeekly.com • 828-248-1408 Oakie's Best of the Best Oakies Tire & Service Center TIRE & SERVICE CENTER 704.487.7392 CANIPE WestWEST WARRENMonday-Friday 800 Warren St • ST. • SHELBY, NC OAKIE • 800 OWNER 7:30-5:30 ⠢ Saturday 8:00-1:00 • shelbyinfo.com 704-487-7392 704-482-5629 Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 - 5:30 • Saturday 8:00 - 12:30 Cleveland County's Hometown Tire Store Since 1978

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