October 13, 2009

Governor Riley Thanks Alabama Federation of Republican Women for Help on Making Birthdays Special for Alabama’s Foster Children

MONTGOMERY - Governor Bob Riley thanked the Alabama Federation of Republican Women this weekend for making the Alabama Birthday Wish for Foster Children its primary charitable project and congratulated the group for recently winning a “Caring for America” award from the National Federation of Republican Women.

The Birthday Wish project was created by First Lady Patsy Riley to provide birthday gifts and birthday cards for Alabama’s 6,000 foster children. Members of the Greater Birmingham Republican Women chose the Birthday Wish as their primary charitable project and quickly got Republican Women’s clubs from across the state to assist in the project. The club also recruited others to help, including members of the Alabama Democratic Women’s Federation, churches, women’s clubs and individuals.

Governor Riley spoke at the annual conference of the Alabama Federation of Republican Women on Saturday in Birmingham.

“A birthday is such an important event in the life of a child. We want all children to have the opportunity to be recognized and celebrated on their birthday, and the Birthday Wish project is working to make sure every foster child in Alabama experiences the special feeling that comes with a childhood birthday,” said Governor Riley. “I commend the Alabama Federation of Republican Women for making this project their primary charitable cause and honor them for the recognition they received at the national level for their work.”

Bobbie Lou Leigh, President of the Alabama Federation of Republican Women, Sallie Bryant, NFRW Board Member, and Margie George, AFRW Third VP, accepted the award from NFRW Caring for America Chair Arla Jeanne Murray at the national group’s convention in Florida.

For information on the Alabama Birthday Wish for Foster Children visit www.alabamabirthdaywish.com.