CHARLESTON W.Va. — Alex Todd always wanted to adopt children.
He and his wife Beth got the opportunity with three children out of foster care, Nicole, Audrey and Laken in August of 2017.
The Charleston couple officially signed the papers to adopt them just over a month ago, and now those three children are recipients of the SMART529 Smart Start Adoption Award, helping fund their college education.
The award ceremony took place Friday at the Clay Center in Charleston with awards being presented by State Treasurer John D. Perdue and his office to seven families.
“I want to give my thanks,” Todd said. “To the foster care system, Children’s Home Society who got them through, for Mission West Virginia for partnering here with Mr. Perdue and getting us set up in the 529. It’s a great program. I believe higher education does have a purpose and I believe every kid deserves a better shot.
“My wife and I actually met in college, so higher education means a lot to us. So when we found about this award, this is something we definitely wanted to apply for.”
Smart Start is an effort to provide higher education savings to West Virginia children through the State Treasurer’s Office Smart 529 college savings plan. This year’s total was the largest of the four-year event.
Funding for the program is raised each year during the SMART 5.29 K run/walk in Charleston each May.
“We found that through our research that children who are in foster care in the state, as we all know that’s a big problem in our state, they are very unlikely to have the opportunity a lot of times to get higher education,” Gina Joynes, Deputy Treasurer of Communications for the State Treasurer’s Office, said.
“When you’re able to look at a child, see their reaction, ask them what they want to be when they grow up and know you have played a small part in helping them achieve that goal, that is really special.”
Seven families, from around the state, totaling 17 children received $1,200 awards.
“I was ecstatic,” Todd said of finding out his family won the award. “My wife opened up the letter and sent me a picture of it while I was at work and I was like “Yes.’ I thought I wrote a pretty good essay but I did not know it was that good.
“It’s definitely a good start for these kids. $1,200 is nothing to scoff at so that’s definitely a step in the right direction.”
The Roberts Family of Red House, the Franklin Family of Washington, the Sharps Family of Fairmont, the Riner family of Hurricane, the Wright family of Princeton, and the Bennett/Ashling family of Berkeley Springs all joined the Todd family at the Clay Center on Friday.
“The parents that have adopted these children who have received awards are so appreciative, and we have really found that even though its small niche, and sometimes it’s hard to explain to people what we are trying to do, it’s really worthwhile.
“They all are very excited. We’ve had families come back year after year and say ‘I’ve adopted a new child, I would like to participate again or at least try to participate again.’
In four years, the annual race and sponsor contributions have totaled $57,000 in Smart Start awards to 48 children.