On a cold winter's day in 1999, a photograph of an abandoned little Russian girl appeared in a Maine newspaper. The wonderful people being honored saw that photograph and followed their hearts. Their actions have not changed the entire world, but they have changed the lives of some of the world's neediest children.
On February 7, 1999, Maureen Gorman was at home in Cumberland, recovering from a broken leg, and reading the Sunday paper. A photo caught her eye – a little girl, her head shaven, was staring defiantly at the camera as she clutched a mop-haired doll nearly half her size. The caption explained that the eight-year-old had been arrested for begging on the streets of Moscow. The accompanying story was a wrenching account of the street children of Moscow, abandoned by their parents and, apparently, by hope.
The photo that caught Maureen's eye now had a firm grip on her heart. She showed it to her friend and neighbor, Mary Dinan, and together they agreed they had to help that little girl. Not just any little girl, but that little girl.
So they called Greg Foltz, the executive director of St. Andre's homes in Maine. If anyone would know how to find such a tiny, helpless needle in a global haystack, it would be Greg. Despite the obvious obstacles, Greg's response was just what those who know him would expect: "When people call and say there's a child in need, I take that as a call to action. The fact that this girl was halfway around the world was a confounding factor. But Greg was determined to find her.
First, came some first-class sleuthing: calling the Associated Press office in New York to get a message to their reporter in Russia so that they could get in touch with the photographer. The photographer remembered the girl – who, having seen her face, could forget Sophia? – and knew that she had been at a special orphanage for deaf children in Novozbykov, near Chernobyl, until her alcoholic mother took her out to earn a living on the streets of Moscow. After her arrest, Sophia was returned to the orphanage.
Greg knew the best course of action was to help not just Sophia, but the entire orphanage. This required a first-hand look to assess the orphanage's needs, and to devise a "graft-free" system for delivering charity in a country infamous for government corruption. Jim and Maureen Gorman underwrote this crucial trip.
Greg found an orphanage that was clean, orderly, and caring, but woefully understaffed and short of clothing, bedding, nutritious food, and medicine. He found, in Dennis Deeny, a retired US Army colonel who knew his way around Russia, a corruption-proof way to deliver aid. He found in the Russian people a great number who wanted to help the orphans, but who needed the tools to do so.
And, he found Sophia, with wide eyes and a bright smile. And Misha, who clung to his neck in what Greg describes as "a grip of desperation …so hungry for simple affection." And 77 other hearing and speech-impaired children, all in heartbreaking need.
Those needs are being met. In 1999, $31,000 was raised for the basics, and to furnish the children's bedrooms and a day room. In subsequent years, there have been hearing aids, educational materials, sports equipment, even Christmas feasts. So much has been done. Yet there is much more to do. Fortunately, the generosity of Maine people is an inexhaustible resource.
As a member of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, it is my privilege to present annual "Angels in Adoption" awards to Maine people who give so generously of themselves to improve the lives of children. It is always a special moment, but I believe that Greg, Jim, Maureen, and Mary's actions make them true angels as well.
The City of Novozbykov has repaid these angels with the simple, heartfelt thanks of Honor Awards which are accompanied by a letter. Here is an excerpt from the letter: "Please allow me to congratulate you on your being honored for charitable works at a Russian school for hearing impaired children. You are honored in recognition of your significant contribution to supporting dozens of children in Novozbykov school and your efforts to expand humanitarian relations between our countries in general …It is my distinct pleasure to express to you my deepest gratitude for your commitment to the generous cause of helping disabled children." The letter is signed: Boris Marchuk, senior counselor, Embassy of the Russian Federation, Washington, DC.
St. Andre Home is sponsored by the Good Shepherd Sisters, and animated by their creed that there are no "throwaways" on this Earth. The founder of this order, Saint Mary Euphrasia, based her life's work on that conviction.
It is a lesson those honored with this award learned well, and that they teach anew.