Rounds nominates Colman family for Angels in Adoption Award

U.S. Senator Mike Rounds announced Monday that he has nominated Sandra and Chad Lee of Colman for the 2021 Angels in Adoption Award, presented by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption. Sandra and Chad, along with their children Adam and Amanda, adopted Daniela, Christopher and Mikano from Haiti in 2010.

Rounds said that the Lee family answered a calling from God to change the life of not one child, but three.  He said that more than a decade after adopting the three from Haiti, the Lee family continues to advocate for orphans and the importance of reducing barriers to adoption.

The Lee family are active members in Katelyn’s Fund Orphan Ministry and The Gathering Well, two organizations that support families who foster or adopt, and advocate for the cause of orphans around the world. The Lee family has appreciated their community’s support and encouragement throughout the past decade. 

More on the Lees’ adoption story can be found below:

In January 2010, the world witnessed the destruction and devastation in Haiti following the 7.0 magnitude earthquake. Sixteen months into the rigorous adoption process, the Lee family was not immediately aware of the children’s well-being or the status of the orphanage. Thankfully, the children were safe.  It was not until a month after the earthquake, through the work of South Dakota’s congressional delegation and adoption agency staff in-country, that Daniela, Christopher and Mikano boarded a plane to the United States. Their evacuation from Haiti, prior to completion of the adoption, was made possible when Humanitarian Parole approval for Haitian orphans was granted. Then on November 30, 2010, the Lee family officially made Daniela, Christopher and Mikano members of their family, joining Sandra and Chad’s twins, Adam and Amanda.

Today, the Lee family are active members in Katelyn’s Fund Orphan Ministry and The Gathering Well, two organizations that support families who foster or adopt, and advocate for the cause of orphans around the world. The Lee family has appreciated their community’s support and encouragement throughout the past decade.

“Every year, I have the great honor of recognizing a South Dakota family who has made a life changing impact on the lives of children,” said Rounds. “Sandra, Chad, Adam and Amanda answered a calling from God to change the life of not one child, but three. More than a decade after adopting Daniela, Christopher and Mikano from Haiti, the Lee family continues to advocate for orphans and the importance of reducing barriers to adoption. Today, the Lee children are engaged in a variety of school activities, including academics, sports and their church’s youth group. I am proud to recognize this inspirational family.”

“We are so honored to have been selected to receive the Angels in Adoption Award this year,” said Sandra Lee. “Adoption is near and dear to our hearts! Many blessings that we just take for granted are life-changers for children from tough places. In addition to the basic needs of food, clothing, shelter, and medical care, children also desperately need and deserve stability, security, and a place to always belong.  Adoption is a great way to climb outside ourselves to be the hands and feet of Jesus.  We are so thankful that God has chosen to use our family in this way!  Likewise, we want to encourage others to consider the impact they can have in the life of a child—mentoring, foster care, adoption, or supporting those who do—everyone can make a difference.”