STRUTHERS Families celebrate adoptions

One Poland family celebrates adoption day as a birthday for their children.
By PETER H. MILLIKEN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
STRUTHERS -- Adoption has been a fulfilling experience for Richard and Amy Witzeman of Poland, who added two young children to their family with the help of the Mahoning County Children Services.
The Witzemans and their adopted children, Alan, 8, and Alison, 4, were among 150 guests at "A Star-Spangled Adoption Celebration,'' which combined patriotic and family-oriented themes Thursday evening at the Elm Tree banquet hall. The event was designated as a kickoff for National Adoption Awareness Month.
As foster parents, the Witzemans took custody of Alan three months after he was born at St. Elizabeth Health Center, and his adoption was finalized Feb. 6, 1996, when he was almost 2 years old, through CSB, which charges no fees for its services.
"They were very supportive of us. They helped us every step of the way. They were there for the kids," Amy Witzeman said of CSB, adding that she and her husband attended free CSB-sponsored seminars for adoptive parents.
"We celebrate the adoption day just like a birthday for the kids," Richard Witzeman said.
About the children
A third-grader at North Elementary School in Poland, Alan will take the test for his green belt in karate Saturday. He also enjoys video games and bicycling. "He's an excellent speller," Amy Witzeman said.
"He's a normal 8-year-old kid. He loves baseball. He's an outstanding baseball player. He was in tournaments this year. His team won the 8-year-old classic in Poland," Richard Witzeman said.
Alan said he enjoys Pok & eacute;mon, Gameboy and PlayStation. At school, he enjoys art class and the time he spends on computers.
The Witzemans received Alison three days after she was born in a Fremont hospital, and adopted her May 20, 1999. In her case, they paid $7,000 to a Columbus adoption agency, but also received free assistance from CSB.
Alison attends an Easter Seal Society preschool. "She loves to sing. She's doing really well. She loves to play with baby dolls" and Barbie dolls, Amy Witzeman said.
Witzeman owns the Restoration Specialty shop on Midlothian Boulevard in Youngstown, which sells and services new and antique clocks.
"It's always important to draw attention to this need to re-create families, to bring children in out of the cold, so to speak. If we have good families, we're always going to have a good society," said Judge Timothy Maloney of Mahoning County Probate Court, which handles adoption cases.