Mark Wahlberg is starring in a new movie with a topic this column frequently discusses: foster children. The movie is a combination drama and comedy and is supposed to be loosely drawn on writer-director Sean Anders’ and his wife’s adventures as foster parents of three brothers and sisters.
According to the movie synopsis, “When Pete and Ellie decide to start a family, they stumble into the world of foster care adoption. They hope to take in one small child, but when they meet three siblings, including a rebellious 15-year-old girl, they find themselves speeding from zero to three kids overnight. Now, Pete and Ellie must try to learn the ropes of instant parenthood in the hope of becoming a family.”
Neither of the authors has seen the movie but 94 percent of Google users liked the picture and it has an average rating of almost 7 on Rotten Tomatoes. We’re simply happy the topic of fostering children is getting some positive play in the media and we’re hopeful the publicity will persuade more qualified families to become foster parents.
That’s one of Wahlberg’s contributions, raising awareness of foster families in a positive movie that may serve to make recruiting new foster families easier. The second way Wahlberg contributed was more tangible and immediate. According to WDTN, the actor has donated $20,000 to the Buckeye Ranch, an Ohio foster care organization.
Buckeye Ranch “operates hundreds of foster homes in 23 Ohio counties, including Hamilton, Butler, Clermont, and Warren counties.”
Its website explains, “Our program provides foster parenting for children from infancy through 18 years of age and sometimes beyond.” That’s an excellent recommendation right there, since many foster kids find themselves on the street once they reach the age of 18 and the checks to the profit-minded foster family stop arriving in the mail.
Our recommendation is to first go see the movie. Hollywood only responds to ticket sales and if we want to see more family-oriented movies, ticket-buyers need to make a point to see the good quality family movies that are currently being offered.
Then, after you’ve seen the movie, seriously give some thought to becoming a foster parent yourself. Discuss it with your wife or husband. Talk to other foster families to get their opinion. Ask your pastor or rabbi or priest for suggestions. And then don’t forget to pray over your decision.
You can make a real difference in the life of a child.
Michael Reagan, the eldest son of President Reagan, is a Newsmax TV analyst. A syndicated columnist and author, he chairs The Reagan Legacy Foundation. Michael is an in-demand speaker with Premiere speaker’s bureau. Read more reports from Michael Reagan — Go Here Now.
Michael R. Shannon is a commentator, researcher for the League of American Voters, and an award-winning political and advertising consultant with nationwide and international experience. He is author of "Conservative Christian’s Guidebook for Living in Secular Times (Now with added humor!)." Read more of Michael Shannon's reports — Go Here Now.