Northwest PA News

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. -- On May 2, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) honored Maudie Beatty as the latest "Community Champion" in the 16th Congressional District for her decades of care for Lawrence County children as a foster parent and for her contributions to The Bair Foundation. Beatty, of New Wilmington, has opened her home to more than 300 children over the last 35 years and remains active with The Bair Foundation, a Christian foster care agency with locations in New Wilmington and Erie.

The award ceremony was held Tuesday at the Bair Foundation's New Wilmington office. Additionally, May is National Foster Care Month.

"When I first heard about Maudie's story, I knew she was a perfect choice for our Community Champion award," Rep. Kelly said. "Maudie exemplifies what it means to be a Community Champion -- she puts others before herself. In this case, she literally opens her home to children to give them hope today and brighter future for tomorrow. Every community could use more people like her. Congratulations, Maudie!"

“Maudie is the most seasoned foster parent we have!" said Maria Sizer, Program Director at the Bair Foundation's New Wilmington office. "She has been certified with The Bair Foundation for 35 years and has opened her heart and home for more than 300 children during that time. Maudie is always ready to take on new kids and is always willing to help and say yes! Maudie says yes even when she will not know the outcome. We are grateful for her willingness to always provide a safe and loving environment to a child without pause. Maudie often says yes to children that others say no to. She is truly an amazing person!”

BACKGROUND

The 16th Congressional District Community Champion Award is a quarterly citation instituted by the Office of U.S. Representative Mike Kelly in January 2015 to recognize and thank service-minded individuals throughout Pennsylvania's Sixteenth Congressional District for selfless and significant contributions to their surrounding communities. Each winner is presented with an official certificate from Rep. Kelly’s office, a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol building, and a statement of congratulations entered into the official congressional record.

For more than 50 years, The Bair Foundation has remained steadfast and responsive in its work to bring about meaningful change in the lives of America’s most vulnerable. As a Christian foster care agency, they have provided hope and stability to more than 250,000 children and families in crisis. The Bair Foundation operates more than 30 locations across eight states nationwide.

Original source can be found here.