Congressman Mike Pence

Washington, DC – U.S. Congressman Mike Pence congratulated Rachael and Ron Ginder of Anderson, Indiana, today for receiving the 2012 Angels in Adoption™ award for their exceptional advocacy of adoption.

"Ron and Rachael exemplify love in a tangible way," said Pence. "Their quiet service fostering more than 225 children over the years is an enormous contribution to our state and for that Hoosiers should be especially grateful. Specifically their care and support for medically fragile children compares to none. Receiving the Angels in Adoption award is a well-deserved honor, and I commend them for their commitment to nurture and care for the next generation."

Family Background

Ron and Rachael Ginder have fostered more than 225 children, starting in the early 1970s. The Ginders were not only being called to foster toddlers and teens, but also for medically fragile babies. Many of the babies were given up at birth, abandoned, or sadly, many had been abused and removed from their homes. Riley Children's Hospital began recommending the Ginders to counties for placement of the fragile or dying infants. They have stayed in touch with many families who have adopted the children they fostered.

The Ginders had two sons and one daughter before adopting a total of seven babies. They have nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Award Background

The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization dedicated to raising awareness about the tens of thousands of orphans and foster children in the United States and the millions of orphans around the world in need of permanent, safe, and loving homes through adoption. CCAI's goal is the elimination of the barriers that hinder these children from realizing their basic right of a family.

CCAI was created in 2001 by the active co-chairs of the bicameral, bipartisan Congressional Coalition on Adoption (CCA) to more effectively raise Congressional and public awareness about the issue of adoption.

The Angels in Adoption™ program was established in 1999 as a Congressional press conference to honor outstanding individuals. Since then, the program has developed into a yearlong public awareness campaign culminating in an extraordinary awards Gala and celebration in Washington, D.C.

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