Senator John Thune today announced his selection of Ryan and Rhonda Kelly and their family of Rapid City for the 2013 Angels in Adoption Award presented by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, of which Thune is a member. The Kellys have welcomed six daughters from China into their family in the last eight years.
Ryan and Rhonda Kelly were high school sweethearts that eventually married and had four biological children: Jacob, Joshua, Julia, and Jonah. Over the last eight years, the Kelly family has welcomed six girls from China into their family: Jenna, Jocelyn, Jade, Jolise, Janelle, and Joy. They have adopted girls as young as 18 months to age 14.
“Ryan and Rhonda’s commitment to meet the unique physical and emotional needs of each child and help them develop and flourish is truly remarkable,” said Thune. “Their desire to provide loving, stable homes to their adopted daughters makes me proud to select them to receive the 2013 Angels in Adoption award.”
“Adoption has given our girls the medical care they need, a family to love them and care for them forever, and a chance for a great future,” said Rhonda. “Adoption has given the rest of us in our family an entirely different outlook on life. We don’t sweat the small things. We look at the big picture. We love each other, support each other, have empathy for each other, and get to witness the miracle of adoption each and every day. We are all blessed by adoption.”
The Kellys, along with Angels in Adoption recipients from around the country, will be invited to an awards banquet in Washington, D.C. next month.
