'Cry of the Orphan' Media Blitz Hits U.S. Airwaves
The "Cry of the Orphan" campaign is on a mission this week to raise awareness and show Christians and churches across the United States how they can take action right now to be involved in caring for the world's 130 million orphans.
In particular, the "Cry of the Orphan" campaign is working to provide families with resources and tools to help them take the "next step" in their adoption journey as research indicates that some 30 percent of American families have considered adopting, but no more than 2 percent of Americans have actually adopted.
"The Cry of the Orphan campaign is helping caring people learn how they can bring new hope to children who don't have families," says First Lady Laura Bush in a new public service announcement for the Cry of the Orphan campaign that is being heard on radio stations across the country
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"I have visited with children in orphanages around the world and what each of these children has in common is the desire for a family to love and to call their own," explains Bush in the announcement. "You can make a profound difference in a child's life – whether through adoption, mentoring a foster youth, or starting a ministry for orphaned children at your church."
This year's weeklong media blitz is projected to surpass last year's successful campaign, which reached over 15 million people.
Throughout this week, several media outlets, including the Focus on the Family radio program and FamilyLife Today, are devoting their daily broadcasts and combining their organizations' resources to show people how they can play an important role in responding to the world's 130 million orphans.
"Encompassing news stories, email blasts, radio broadcasts and PSA's within the national blitz, this year's campaign is projected to reach over 25 million people with combined efforts within the faith-based community and beyond," reports Shaohannah's Hope, founded by award-winning musician Steven Curtis Chapman.
A key part of the effort is CryoftheOrphan.org, which has tapped into the extensive resources of FamilyLife, Focus on the Family, Shaohannah's Hope, and the organizations involved in the Christian Alliance for Orphans.
Along with tips and tools to help people care for orphans and better understand God's heart on this issue, CryoftheOrphan.org is also providing more ways to explore the plight of the orphan, including an updated directory of organizations involved, a Google Earth exploration tool, and facts and stories that offer inspiration and instruction on responding to the orphan crisis.
According to statistics, more than half a million children are in U.S. foster care and worldwide there are some 130 million orphans.
"Cry of the Orphan seeks to provide that guidance – connecting families with organizations and resources that can help them along their adoption journey," Paul Pennington of FamilyLife's Hope for Orphans and one of the leaders of the Cry of the Orphan campaign.
This year's Cry of the Orphan campaign has as its theme "You are God's Plan for the Orphan," and represents the third year for the targeted awareness campaign aimed at educating and motivating Christians to action.
