Annual Celebration of Adoption Event
The 9th Annual Celebration of Adoption
When: September 22, 2011
Where: BancorpSouth Conference Center (get directions)
Time: 5:30pm - Private Reception with LeAnn Thieman
6:30pm - Dinner, Silent Auction and Event Ceremony
Featured Speaker: LeAnn Thieman
We are delighted to have LeAnn Thieman as our guest speaker for the 9th annual Celebration of Adoption. LeAnn Thieman's life changed forever when she bought a dozen cupcakes at a bake sale to support the war orphans in Vietnam. Her book, This Must Be My Brother, details her daring adventure of helping to rescue 300 babies during Operation Babylift in 1975, as Saigon was falling to the Communists. An ordinary person, she struggled through extraordinary circumstances and found the courage to succeed.
Today, LeAnn shares life-lessons learned to help others find more hope in the world. good health in their life and happiness all around. As a nationally acclaimed speaker, author and nurse, her popular keynotes and seminars inspire thousands to balance their lives, truly live their priorities and make a difference in the world.
She is the co-author of 12 Chicken Soup for the Soul books, including Chicken Soup for the Adopted Soul.
Join us for an evening with LeAnn Thieman as she shares her incredible story.
This year's event will also feature a Silent Auction!
Past Events
2010 Celebration of Adoption
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Speaker: Lt. Governor Phil Bryant
Lt. Governor Bryant is an outspoken supporter of LIFE and ADOPTION.
Honorees: Steve and Evelyn Drury
As the founders of New Beginnings, the Drurys have lived a life dedicated to ministering to others. Their vision and passion is the reason why New Beginnings exists today.
2009 Celebration of Adoption
Speaker: Micheal Reagan
Michael Reagan, the eldest son of Ronald Reagan, nationally syndicated talk radio host as well as author of "Twice Adopted" is based on his personal story of being adopted.
Honoree: Terrill Kay(TK) Moffett
TK Moffett is a well known and respected man in our community, he is a retired Major General of the United States Army, an attorney and a restaurateur. However, what many people do not know is that from 1986 until 1989 he provided all of the legal work for New Beginnings adoptions on a pro bono basis for the Adoptive Families and New Beginnings, impacting the lives of children forever.
2008 Celebration of Adoption
Speaker: LeAnn Thieman
Mrs. Thieman is a national recognized speaker and has authored and co-authored 12 books, which include 11 Chicken Soup Books, with one of them being Chicken Soup for the Adopted Soul. In her book This Must Be My Brother, LeAnn details her help in rescuing 300 babies during "Operation Babylift" in fall of Saigon in 1975. She is also a Nurse and a monthly columnist for Nursing 2008 Magazine. LeAnn is an adoptive mother and grandmother.
Honoree: Ester Brown
Ester Brown, one of the founding members of Celebration of Adoption came up with the idea of the event from her desire to offer hope to birth mothers as well as offer children the promise of a home with loving parents.
2007 Celebration of Adoption
Speaker: Stephanie Fast
Stephanie Fast, noted speaker, shared her incredible autobiographical story of being abandoned and rescued at the age of four in the war-torn Korean countryside by childless missionary couple visiting an orphanage. Stephanie is one of the most sought after adoption advocates through Focus on the Family. She and her husband, Daryl, serve on the foreign mission field in Asia.
2006 Celebration of Adoption
Speaker: Pat Nunnelee
Pat is the President of the Allied Funeral Association Insurance Company in Tupelo, Mississippi. A respected Christian community leader and public speaker, he and his wife, Beth, were entering the “empty nest” stage of their lives when God led them to adopt three young children who would extend “parenthood” into the latter part of their lives. They gladly chose to do this because, like Caleb in the Bible, they believed a ‘minority report’ and chose to be people of faith rather than to withdraw into a life of personal comfort. They firmly believe that the same Lord who is faithful in early life will be faithful until we go to be with Him.
2005 Celebration of Adoption
Speaker: Jim Smith
Jim Smith served on the Mississippi Supreme Court from 1993 until 2009, and he retired as the Chief Justice of the Court. However, he is proudest of the fact that he is grandfather to three beautiful and vivacious grand-daughters (two by international adoption). These days, Jim loves spending time gardening and doing other "fun-related" projects with his grandchildren. As the 2005 Celebration of Adoption speaker, the then Chief Justice reminded everyone how powerful the God-inspired institution of adoption truly is and how it completely changes the landscape of life for children.
2004 Celebration of Adoption
Ben Orr
Ben served as the first Chair for Celebration of Adoption and, along with his wife, Jo, continues to encourage and promote adoption as a blessing from the Lord. Ben understands the heart of the adopted child and is a strong advocate for quality adoption practices. Ben and Jo are personal friends of the Velies, Drurys and the many others who believe that adoption offers another option for life. In 2007, Ben was the recipient of the first New Beginnings Adoption Service Award.
2003 Celebration of Adoption
1st Annual Celebration of Adoption
It was early 2003 when Tom visited Esther Brown (owner of Prudential Magnolia Realty at the time) to discuss a possible gift to New Beginnings. The Lord inspired Esther to offer her time and business “treasures” (her terrific team of realtors), and Esther and Tom “invested” themselves into the development of an annual community fund-raiser. The first Celebration of Adoption was held at the Tupelo Furniture Market with Ben Orr cooking rolls, Tom and Esther preparing lettuce salads, and an army of volunteers "making it happen."