2005 National Excellence in Parenting Awards

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The National Excellence in Parenting Awards are presented each year to outstanding parents by the National Parents' Day Council. The 2005 national recipients are being honored at special events in each of their states.



Jama and Charles Hedgecoth Jr of Locust Grove, GA


Jama and Charles Hedgecoth Jr of Locust Grove, GA were married when they were both teen-agers..33 years ago! They have 3 biological sons and one daughter,,and two adopted children (and are soon to adopt twin girls from China). Theirs is a completely racially mixed family. Charles is Native American (Cherokee), Jama is Caucasian, one adopted son is African-American and soon they will have the Chinese girls. All 5 of their grown children are successful and there are now many grandchildren.

Charles & Jama Hedgecoth

But the Hedgecoths' hearts were just too big for only their nuclear family. As a young girl of 4, Jama, the daughter of a traveling evangelist, told her family of her dream that one day, she would "have a home for children and animals. I'll take in everybody that nobody else wants. And, when the people come to visit the animals, I won't charge them a dime!" Even at such a young age, Jama had a deep trust that God would help her to fulfill this vision.16 years later, in 1978, on a small plot of land, with nearly no working capital, the Hedgecoths founded "Noah's Ark"....an amazing 501(c3) project that takes in stray and discarded exotic and farm animals from all over- zoos, farms, etc They also founded Children's Care Home, which takes in abandoned and abused children.
The Hedgecoths have been foster parents themselves to over 200 children. Now, they have a staff of 30 to help on both projects. Up to 24 children at any given time reside at the Home. The children, most of whom have been seriously abused, help out with the animals, and participate in "pet therapy". Through caring for the abandoned animals and nursing them back to health, many of the children find the internal healing that they need to overcome the trauma that was imposed upon them by people.

Now, the facility is on 250 acres and has over a thousand animals at any given time. While Jama credits God with providing what they needed each step of the way, corporate and private donations are the vehicle through which He has worked. In addition to the "resident" children, 1000's of visitors come each year, including the handicapped, the elderly and school groups. Noah's Ark provides education programs for all of these visitors, totally free of charge. There are many amazing stories of how God led Jama through very serious challenges. You can learn more at their website, www.Noahs-Ark.org



Douglas and Fidelia Friedman of Harrisburg, PA

Douglas and Fidelia Friedman of Harrisburg , PA have been married for 17 years and have 3 children-Samuel, 16, Eric, 13 and Rebecca, 10 yrs old. They met in Mexico City , where both at the time were journalists. Their home is one where tolerance and love for differences in people is the norm. He is white, was born Jewish and speaks with a northern East Coast accent. She is dark-skinned, from a Catholic family, and speaks with a strong Mexican accent. Their children have grown up knowing to love and respect others no matter their race or religion. Both are now teachers; she to kindergarten, he to university students at Pennsylvania State University - Harrisburg .

While both are very active in community efforts, the Friedmans' story is one also of heroic efforts to provide a loving and stable home for their children, in spite of desperate battles with life-threatening personal illness and a wide range of medical problems that their children have and are enduring. Douglas has coached soccer for youth teams for 13 years, serves a number of community organizations by providing free marketing consultation, etc. Fidelia serves as Treasurer for Mosaico, the Latino student group, and is a Board Member of Estamos Unidos, a Latino community group, and also is Editor of its well-respected newsletter. Both are very active in their synagogue.

Their daughter, Becky, was born with many developmental problems. For the first 5 years of her life, she was fed through surgically inserted tubes. Every night, she must receive a growth hormone injection (which her loving brothers often administer) . Douglas and Fidelia have battled with her illnesses, uncooperative school administrators, and their own health problems to insure that Becky could receive the best education possible. Their son, Sam, has Tourette's Syndrome. By the nonstop efforts of his parents, Sam is a happy teenager, a Boy Scout, active athlete and B student. Their other son, Eric is an honor student who has won many academic awards (for example, he reached the regional Spelling Bee finals 3 years in a row.)

Three years ago, Douglas developed cancer. His treatments included over 4 months of chemotherapy, followed by a month of radiation treatment. His oncologist said that Douglas ' reaction to the chemotherapy was the most difficult that he had ever seen in a patient. Despite the ravages of chemo, he continued teaching throughout the treatment, missing only one day during the whole time. He and Fidelia also maintained their home as a stable environment for the children, taking turns in driving them to their sports, school events, etc.

Despite all of their challenges, the Friedmans continue to volunteer with community organizations, their children's schools and their synagogue. Their example of unceasing service to the community in spite of great adversity continually inspires all those who know this special family.

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The *National Excellence in Parenting* Awards** are presented each year to outstanding parents by the National Parents' Day Council. The 2005 national recipients are being honored at special events in each of their states.

Jama and Charles Hedgecoth Jr of Locust Grove, GA
Jama and Charles Hedgecoth Jr of Locust Grove, GA were married when they were both teen-agers..33 years ago! They have 3 biological sons and one daughter,,and two adopted children (and are soon to adopt twin girls from China). Theirs is a completely racially mixed family. Charles is Native American (Cherokee), Jama is Caucasian, one adopted son is African-American and soon they will have the Chinese girls. All 5 of their grown children are successful and there are now many grandchildren.	Charles & Jama Hedgecoth
		But the Hedgecoths' hearts were just too big for only their nuclear family. As a young girl of 4, Jama, the daughter of a traveling evangelist, told her family of her dream that one day, she would "have a home for children and animals. I'll take in everybody that nobody else wants. And, when the people come to visit the animals, I won't charge them a dime!" Even at such a young age, Jama had a deep trust that God would help her to fulfill this vision.16 years later, in 1978, on a small plot of land, with nearly no working capital, the Hedgecoths founded "Noah's Ark"....an amazing 501(c3) project that takes in stray and discarded exotic and farm animals from all over- zoos, farms, etc They also founded Children's Care Home, which takes in abandoned and abused children. The Hedgecoths have been foster parents themselves to over 200 children. Now, they have a staff of 30 to help on both projects. Up to 24 children at any given time reside at the Home. The children, most of whom have been seriously abused, help out with the animals, and participate in "pet therapy". Through caring for the abandoned animals and nursing them back to health, many of the children find the internal healing that they need to overcome the trauma that was imposed upon them by people.
Now, the facility is on 250 acres and has over a thousand animals at any given time. While Jama credits God with providing what they needed each step of the way, corporate and private donations are the vehicle through which He has worked. In addition to the "resident" children, 1000's of visitors come each year, including the handicapped, the elderly and school groups. Noah's Ark provides education programs for all of these visitors, totally free of charge. There are many amazing stories of how God led Jama through very serious challenges. You can learn more at their website, www.Noahs-Ark.org


Douglas and Fidelia Friedman of Harrisburg, PA
Douglas and Fidelia Friedman of Harrisburg , PA have been married for 17 years and have 3 children-Samuel, 16, Eric, 13 and Rebecca, 10 yrs old. They met in Mexico City , where both at the time were journalists. Their home is one where tolerance and love for differences in people is the norm. He is white, was born Jewish and speaks with a northern East Coast accent. She is dark-skinned, from a Catholic family, and speaks with a strong Mexican accent. Their children have grown up knowing to love and respect others no matter their race or religion. Both are now teachers; she to kindergarten, he to university students at Pennsylvania State University - Harrisburg .
		While both are very active in community efforts, the Friedmans' story is one also of heroic efforts to provide a loving and stable home for their children, in spite of desperate battles with life-threatening personal illness and a wide range of medical problems that their children have and are enduring. Douglas has coached soccer for youth teams for 13 years, serves a number of community organizations by providing free marketing consultation, etc. Fidelia serves as Treasurer for Mosaico, the Latino student group, and is a Board Member of Estamos Unidos, a Latino community group, and also is Editor of its well-respected newsletter. Both are very active in their synagogue.
Their daughter, Becky, was born with many developmental problems. For the first 5 years of her life, she was fed through surgically inserted tubes. Every night, she must receive a growth hormone injection (which her loving brothers often administer) . Douglas and Fidelia have battled with her illnesses, uncooperative school administrators, and their own health problems to insure that Becky could receive the best education possible. Their son, Sam, has Tourette's Syndrome. By the nonstop efforts of his parents, Sam is a happy teenager, a Boy Scout, active athlete and B student. Their other son, Eric is an honor student who has won many academic awards (for example, he reached the regional Spelling Bee finals 3 years in a row.) Three years ago, Douglas developed cancer. His treatments included over 4 months of chemotherapy, followed by a month of radiation treatment. His oncologist said that Douglas ' reaction to the chemotherapy was the most difficult that he had ever seen in a patient. Despite the ravages of chemo, he continued teaching throughout the treatment, missing only one day during the whole time. He and Fidelia also maintained their home as a stable environment for the children, taking turns in driving them to their sports, school events, etc. Despite all of their challenges, the Friedmans continue to volunteer with community organizations, their children's schools and their synagogue. Their example of unceasing service to the community in spite of great adversity continually inspires all those who know this special family.