U.S. Rep. Tom Allen today announced that Dana and Leslie Kelly of Westbrook have been chosen as Congressional Angels in Adoption. They will be recognized at a national ceremony hosted by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, Sept. 13.

The Kellys are adoptive and foster parents for seven children, as well as their two natural children. Rep. Allen nominated the Kellys for the award earlier this year.

“Dana and Leslie Kelly first came to my attention under tragic circumstances,” Allen said. “Last year, they traveled to Disneyworld with all of their children, which then numbered six. The trip was made at the request of 12-year-old Daniel, who was suffering from terminal cancer. Shortly after arriving in Florida, Dan’s condition worsened markedly. After he stabilized somewhat, Dan and his mother, Leslie, were taken back to Maine on a Medivac flight. My office was contacted to help the rest of the family make their unexpectedly early return on a commercial flight. Fortunately, we were able to get the family reunited in Maine the following day to be with Dan in his final hours, while he was still able to express his love and joy at being with them.”

Less than a year after Dan’s death, the Kellys adopted three siblings, now ages 8, 10 and 11, who had been separated for about three years. Leslie Kelly had learned about these children through her work for Casey Family Services, which had been struggling to find a suitable placement to unite the children in one foster home.

“Dana and Leslie Kelly do what they do simply because they are such good people,” Allen said. “Leslie is a woman of enormous warmth and common sense, qualities that she has put to great use in the home as well as in her work as a trainer of foster parents for Casey Family Services. Leslie describes Dana as the rock of the family, providing the unflappable strength every family needs. Together, they have created a home where the children’s individual needs are met, and each is encouraged to reach their highest potential, in a creative atmosphere. It was a privilege for me to propose the Kellys for this recognition. They are indeed Angels in Adoption.”

The Kellys’ son Stuart, 21, once interned in Allen’s office and is now training to be an Army Ranger. Congressional Angels in Adoption works to raise Congressional and public awareness about the tens of thousands of foster children in the United States and the millions of orphans around the world in need of permanent, safe, and loving homes. Chosen from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, the Angels in Adoption are recognized for their exceptional work as adoption champions.

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