HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Two years ago, we started "Carrie's Kids" with the hope of at least bringing awareness to the issue of the many children out there who need a home.

Since then, we’ve featured nearly 50 children, many of them teenagers, who had a chance to share their message. About a dozen of them have since been adopted, and others are in the process of being adopted. One agency wanted to show their thanks in a personal way.

The Adoption Services of the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and
Family Services honored WSAZ and "Carrie's Kids" with the Adoption Award of Excellence as an "Outstanding Partner in Promoting Adoption."

It's a mission we take to heart and accept with honor. We're thankful to all of our agencies -- not only in Kentucky -- but Mission West Virginia and the folks in Athens County, Ohio, for all of the tireless hours they put in daily to meet the needs of the many children searching for that forever family.