Published: September 27, 2009 02:21 pm      

Strong advocate — 09/18/09

Lea Ann Gollihue has passion for finding ‘forever families’

Thumbs up to Lea Ann Gollihue for being named an Angel in Adoption by the Congressional Coalition in Adoption Institute. While she is one of 190 local angels to be recognized, we can’t imagine anyone more deserving than Gollihue of national recognition for work on adoption and foster care issues.

Five years ago, Gollihue founded For Jamie’s Sake in Ashland with Mary Ann Clark and Becky Brown to raise awareness and recruit new foster and adoptive families — to help children without homes find what Gollihue calls their “forever family.” Since its creation, For Jamie’s Sake has provided training and support for foster and adoptive parents and been a source for emergency food and furniture needs. Through its Wishing Well program, For Jamie’s Sake tries to grant wishes made by children in the state’s Special Needs Adoption Program, typically the children most difficult to place in homes.

For Jamie’s Sake worked with the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services to create a special license plate to promote adoption awareness.

Co-worker Melissa Rymer nominated Gollihue to be an Angel in Adoption. Rymer said she was doing research about adoption on the Internet when information about the Angel in Adoption program “just somehow showed up on my screen. It was a God thing. I started reading and it fit her (Gollihue) to a T.”

U.S Sen. Jim Bunning recommended Gollihue for the national recognition. Gollihue will travel to Washington, D.C. this week with her two children and her mother to receive her award. Her husband, Kentucky State Police Trooper Elliott Gollihue, currently is serving on active duty with the Kentucky National Guard in the Middle East.

Lea Ann Gollihue has a genuine passion For Jamie’s Sake and its work, and it’s that passion that makes her such an effective advocate. She is not one to give up until she achieves her goals.

“Elliott asked me years ago, before we ever opened our doors, ‘How long do you see yourself doing this?” I told him until every child has a forever home or until I’m dead.”

We congratulate Gollihue on a most deserving honor, and yes, that award will help attract public attention to her cause. That’s what Gollihue most wants for her award.