Thank You, Marcia Ballinger

Marcia and Brad Ballinger adopted their daughter, Analisa, from foster care more than 15 years ago, but their support of adoption goes even further back.

“We had always planned to build our family through older child adoption,” Marcia said. “We both also served on boards of nonprofits with missions to help find permanent homes for children in need.”

Because of their experiences, the Ballingers developed a deep belief in the importance of ensuring that every child has a forever family. “Sadly, the need is greater than ever,” said Marcia.

Right now, more than 100,000 children are waiting to be adopted from foster care in the United States.

As a teenager lingering in foster care, Analisa faced the possibility of aging out of the system without a permanent family. Now, Analisa is happy and thriving with parents she can always turn to for support.

To help advance and sustain the Foundation’s awareness campaigns and life-changing programs, the Ballingers decided to include the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption as a beneficiary in their estate plans.

“There is nothing more important to the healthy development of a child than to have a loving family,” Marcia said. “It's rewarding for both the child and the adoptive parents. The Foundation's focus on increasing adoptions will have a positive generational and societal impact.”