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World
Orphan Achievement Day
and Stories of Achievements by Orphans
Sal Di Leo with Mary Jo Copeland, Founder of Caring and
Sharing Hands
A number of
organizations and individuals dedicated to caring for orphans have teamed
up to declare November 1st World Orphan
Achievement Day with the purpose of highlighting the
accomplishments of orphans worldwide. The date was chosen in
order to coordinate with Adoption Awareness Month which has
long been celebrated in November.
“Highlighting the
achievements of orphans will create role model experiences for
today’s orphaned children, giving them something to reach for
themselves and spreading the message that being an orphan doesn't
have to be an impediment to a successful life," explains Elizabeth
Di Leo, wife of the originator of the idea, Sal Di Leo.
Mary Jo Copeland,
world renowned champion for homeless children and the founder of
Sharing and Caring Hands in Minneapolis, Minnesota adds, "We don't
realize how many orphaned children have turned out to be productive
human beings because they were touched by someone who gave them some
love. It is also important that the orphans know for themselves that
it is OK to be proud of themselves for what they have done with that
love. There is a big need for a day of recognition such as "World
Orphan Achievement Day."
"For those of us
who spent time in an orphanage or foster home as a child, it is time
to be proud of our accomplishments in life despite the loss of
family as a child. It is important to celebrate what we have done
with our lives afterwards and we should be proud of how far we have
come,” says Sal of Minneapolis, Minnesota, who, along with three
siblings, was raised in an orphanage outside Chicago in the 1960's.
"Being a good
father with a happy family of my own has always been my life-long
goal. I have a wonderful wife, two beautiful and talented daughters,
and many other blessings that make my life complete. I never thought
I would see that as an orphan child. What we are asking is that
individuals who have been orphaned stand up and be proud of their
accomplishments and that they let us know what they are most proud
of in their lives,” Sal explains.
"We are requesting
that they email their accomplishments to sal@salsbook.com
and we will post them on our website at www.salsbook.com/achievers,”
Sal adds. “And, we would also like to hear from others who know
stories of accomplishment by orphans,” Di Leo expands.
"In addition to
allowing others to share their experiences, the website will provide
orphans with a vehicle to express themselves in a positive way. That
was the original motivation for telling my story in the form of my
recent book, "Did I ever thank you, Sister?” I needed to be
recognized, understood, and appreciated. Writing the book was
powerful therapy for me.”
Di Leo concludes,
"The late Dave Thomas, founder of Wendy's Restaurants and an
orphan himself once said, 'It is not our choice to be an orphan, but
it is our choice to make sure we do something with what we are
given.’”
Stories of Achievements by Orphans
Please send us your personal story of
accomplishment for inclusion in this section of the website. If it
is heroic, great, but we are also interested in hearing about those
kinds of achievements that might sound ordinary to others but which
represent your private pride in overcoming the obstacles of being
parentless at a young age.
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