22 UCW NOVEMBER 18-24, 2009
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM
N
ovember is National
Adoption Awareness Month,
a time to say thank you to
individuals who have opened their
hearts and homes and provided a
"forever" family to children in need
of love, safety, security and stability.
There are about 125,000 children
nationwide awaiting such families.
Many of these children are teens,
members of a sibling group, have
special needs, and are in the legal cus-
tody of a local Department of Social
Services.
The Cumberland County Depart-
ment of Social Services completed
adoptions on behalf of 51 chil-
dren this past year, and there is a
strong need for more committed
families who can parent children
with challenges that result from
a history of abuse and neglect.
DSS is hosting its annual
"Adoption Awareness Fair"
Nov. 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The theme is "Change a Life –
Change the World." The event
will be at the DSS building at
1225 Ramsey St. It is free and
open to the general public.
At this celebration, there will
Adoption: Change A Life –
Change The World
By SANDRA ROBINSON
Cumberland County Department of Social Services
Scholarships for Children of Vets
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scholarship programs for children of Cumberland County
veterans. A four-year scholarship program at North Carolina
colleges assists qualifying children of certain class categories of
deceased, disabled, combat, or POW/MIA veterans. The scholar-
ships cover four years of tuition and fees. Some categories include
room and board stipends. To qualify, the applicant must be under
the age of 25 and living in North Carolina. The second scholarship
program is open to graduating seniors whose parent is a resident of
North Carolina and an honorably discharged veteran. The scholar-
ship pays $500 directly to the student.
Applications and additional information on both of these pro-
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Department of Social Services, 1225 Ramsey St. The phone num-
ber is 677-2970. The application deadline is Feb. 15.
be lots of fun and information. There will be opportunities for
individuals and families to discuss the adoption process one-on-one,
with an agency representative. For questions regarding this special
event, contact us at 910-677-2541 or visit our Web site at http://
www.dss.co.cumberland.nc.us. DSS also conducts monthly Foster
Care and Adoption Informational meetings on the third Thursday
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Street.
Keeping You Informed
The November edition of Cumberland County's television
show, "Cumberland Matters," features segments on adoption
and foster parenting; Veterans Services; gaining access to Mental
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recreation centers in the county. The show airs on Time Warner
Cable Channel 7 on Tuesdays at 10 p.m. You can also view the
program via the county's web site at www.co.cumberland.nc.us.
Horses for Auction Nov. 21
Cumberland County's Animal Services Department has eight
horses it will auction off to the highest bidder at 9 a.m. Nov. 21.
The auction will be at the Animal Services facility, 4704 Corpora-
tion Dr. Registration begins at 8 a.m. The horses can be viewed
at Animal Services during the hours of 9-11 a.m. and 3-5 p.m.
Monday - Friday and 9-11 a.m. on Saturdays. Call 910-321-6827.
