husband Dave Thomas established the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption to
increase adoptions of children in the foster care system. Since the inception of a
grant with ChildNet in 2012, 19 children in Broward County have been
adopted through the Wendy’s Wonderful Kids program. The program also
supports a staff position targeted exclusively on moving the longest-waiting
children from foster care into adoptive families.

“It has been wonderful to work alongside ChildNet in helping all the children in
foster care in Broward County find a loving, permanent home,” said Thomas.
“There are so many kids out there still waiting to be adopted. That is how we
know we have to keep pushing forward.”

Stroup also had the opportunity to speak and perform during the luncheon. A
young performance artist and community activist, she was adopted with her
brother through the dependency system. Her parents were largely inspired to
adopt after reading Dave Thomas’ obituary and learning all he had done for
children in foster care. 

“The kids that are taken into the foster care system are there for a reason. No
child deserves to be left abused, abandoned or neglected,” said Stroup. “All
children deserve a loving and safe environment to call home, and I am grateful
to all those who find it in their hearts to help kids not unlike myself find a place
to call home. They are my heroes.”

In addition to Boies, Schiller & Flexner, other sponsors included I. Lorraine
Thomas; JM Family Enterprises Inc.; Marsh & McLennan Agency; BB&T; Dex
Imaging; Greenberg Traurig; Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital at Memorial;
Stiles; Tripp Scott, Attorneys at Law; Baptist Health South Florida; Cherry
Bekaert; Chris Evert Children’s Hospital; Florida Community Bank; Gray-
Robinson Attorney at Law; Sunshine Health; Law Offices of Jeffrey C. Dwyer
P,A.; Humana; and Emilio Benitez.

As the single private non-profit entity responsible for administration of the local
child welfare system, ChildNet brings years of dedication to protecting abused,
abandoned and neglected children in the communities it serves. 

For more information about ChildNet Broward County, please call 
(954) 414-6000. Visit www.ChildNet.us and www.facebook.com/ChildNet.

I

The Landings & Bay Colony

26

Care for Kids Luncheon continued

1.(L to R): Wendy Smith, ChildNet; Monica King,

ChildNet; Kerry Burrett; Tomar Riley

2.(L to R): Connie Diaz; Erin Clampett; Steve Light;

Michelle Glen

3.(L to R): Dawn Quaranta; Scott Singer; 

Jackie Degroat; Sandy Harris

4.(L to R): Nanci Campbell, BB&T; 

Cheryl Huey, BB&T

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