After 11 years failing to conceive naturally and a disappointing period with fertility treatments, my wife Suzy and I decided to investigate adoption.  Suzy chronicled our journey hoping to share the experience with our future children; however, after awhile it became apparent that our story may serve other readers as well.

A neighbor told us about Sierra Forever Families, and after a little research, we became clients.   In a matter of a few months, we were trained, foster certified, and our home-study was completed.

Next we were introduced to the social workers who would guide us through the fost-adoption system.  The entire process proved Sierra’s team was highly skilled and well trained in their mission of helping to build "Forever Families" for kids in foster care.

Once the ink was dry on the adoption papers, the new Root clan settled into our first three years of family life.

I read Suzy's "A Journey to Parenthood" and just loved it! She described a lot of the same feelings that I have...

I myself do not have children and am unable to have children.  I am single and I would love to bring a child into my life.

Thank you for sharing; it was really refreshing to read your journal!

Sincerely,
Shari Trejo

And then, in 2005, we learned that a 2-month old biological sister had been placed into the foster system and was available for adoption. 

As before, Sierra got us certified and able to bring our new baby girl home expeditiously!

A Journey To Parenthood by Suzy Root Download Adobe Reader to view some of the files on our page.

Suzy produced the photo show of the 25th Anniversary Reunion Picnic held October, 2008.

Click to watch the show!

Suzy and I became evangelists for Sierra Forever Families and volunteered our time whenever we could.  We were invited to be the Guest Family speakers at many donor events and fost-adopt training classes.

In 2007, we sponsored a Phoneraiser cell phone drive that generated $1,218 in just two months!

October 2007 Presentation of Phoneraiser proceeds of $1,218 to Co-Executive Directors Bob Herne and Kim Rhinehelder by Suzy, Amanda and Dan Root

Adoption Day 2006

With the help of our family friend, Commander Bill Eveland, we produced a Phoneraiser Public Service Announcement intended to air on News Talk 1530 KFBK, but we were turned down by the new owners. 

It was Kitty O’Neal who came to our rescue with the idea to call Commander Bill to do a live interview, and KFBK listeners were joyfully reunited with their former “Eye In The Sky” traffic reporter after five long years!   What a tear-jerker moment that was?!

Guest Family speakers at the SAS 25th Anniversary Celebration held   at the Aerospace Museum 5/2008

Sacramento Bee article 12/4/2008

The Phoneraiser evolved into a year-round fund raising event that generated another $3,500 — many thanks to the Raley's Family of Fine Stores for their matching donation!

These combined effors earned us the Champions For Adoption certificate!

Champions For Adoption Certificate

Dan with Kitty O'Neal

In addition to the Guest Family events, we made several appearances on Donna Cordova’s “A Place Called Home” segment of the 10 O’clock News on Fox 40 to extol the virtues of adoption.

Our family’s group photo, which was taken at Disney Land right after the second adoption, was published in Prosper Magazine, The Sacramento Business Journal, and in the Sierra Forever Families newsletter and donor materials.

And, when I met the President of the Board of Directors, Chuck Horton, at the Gail Johnson celebration banquet, he recognized me as the Sierra Forever Families “Poster Family” guy!

When the opportunity arose to join Sara Hanson, Public Relations for Sierra Forever Families, on Jennifer Steele's Sacramento People Today (mix 96), I jumped at the chance to advocate for adoption! 

Apparently all our volunteer work, adoption exepriences, and my 25 years in the I.T. industry got the attention of the Sierra Forever Families' Board of Directors.

In April 2008, I was honored to be voted onto the Sierra Board, and now serve on the Fund Development Committee helping to further the mission of our cause.

Today, in addition to my I.T. Managed Services business, we work with families helping them become debt free, properly protected and financially independent through our Primerica business.

This allows Suzy to be a stay-at-home-mom and spend quality time raising our three beautiful daughters.

If you would like to know more about any of the topics on our website, please contact us — we'd love to hear from you!

All the best!
Dan