The Madigan Foundation, a nonprofit, 501 (c)(3), which supports military families and Madigan AMC staff, is honored to sponsor the Claire Daily-Stafinbil Young Heroes Award Ceremony. This May 7 ceremony recognizes the achievements of physically or developmentally challenged children of active duty soldiers. This year, 14 children have been nominated by friends, family, teachers and physicians for their courage in facing individual medical challenges.
The Hill family has four children being honored this year. SFC Kevin Hill, USA, (Ret) and his wife Andrea adopted four children from an Ethiopian orphanage over the past several years. Biruk and Misrak, age 7 years, Amira, age 6, and Micah, age 4, arrived in the United States with some initial health challenges as a result of their time in the orphanage but have thrived in the care of their parents and the pediatric developmental clinic at Madigan AMC. SFC Hill laughs when he recalls his children being enamored by the running water, light switches and electronic controls when they first arrived in the U.S. While they initially did not know any English, they have quickly learned and adapted to their new home and schools. The children love to play outside and especially enjoy riding their bikes.
SFC Hill expects the kids will be surprised by all that the Young Heroes ceremony entails. The Young Heroes receive a Young Hero medal, certificate and gifts in a ceremony that will take place on 7 May 2011 from 1300 to 1500 hours in the Letterman Auditorium of Madigan Army Medical Center.
For more information, contact Heidi Singh at nhsingh@aol.com or 253-334-3095.