Annual 5K serves as family reunion for foster/adoptive parents, children

WAXAHACHIE—The annual 5K run benefiting the Texas Baptist Home for Children appeared more like a family reunion than a hurried rush to the finish line the morning of April 22. Foster moms and dads, adoptive parents, and scores of children traveled in clusters along the trail bordering Waxahachie’s Getzender Park.

The 180 runners and walkers included grandparents and friends from area communities who joined the families for whom the race was a personal expression of gratitude for the opportunity to help children coming out of difficult circumstances.

“Everyone was very enthusiastic and came together as a team to make this an outstanding event,” reported Randy Odom, executive vice president for the 117-year old agency with offices in Waxahachie and Bedford.

Foster dad Clay Fisher served as the unofficial motivational coach for runners and walkers alike, navigating his golf cart alongside the path of participants, occasionally pausing to retrieve a worn out kid or a struggling adult.

“You can do it! Only six more miles!” he hollered to one couple approaching the halfway mark. For the less fit among the runners he gave encouraging high fives, yelling, “Good job! Good job!”

Fisher was on his way to being certified as a Court Appointed Special Advocate, planning to volunteer to guide children in need of placement through the foster care system to find safe, permanent homes as quickly as possible.

“I got all the way to the swearing in part, and then I felt God call me to do foster parenting,” he said.

He and his wife have cared for 52 foster kids over the course of six or seven years, happy to tell stories of lives changed through adoption ministry. “In most of our cases I feel like God put them there, and it’s worked out. I always pray that God will put them in just the right spot.”

TBH serves foster children as well as children waiting for permanent homes through adoption. Abba’s Heart is an extension of the pro-family ministry, helping women who are experiencing an unexpected pregnancy. Private adoption services are offered in coordination with birth families that voluntarily place their children for adoption by TBH adoptive families.

The ministry is funded by the Baptist Missionary Association, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, and the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, as well as churches, businesses, and individuals.

Next year’s event will return to the usual third Saturday in January. For more information, call the Waxahachie office at 972-937-1321, the Bedford location at 817-355-1700, or visit tbhc.org.