Trout Creek couple are adoption angels

Trout Creek is home to two angels...adoption angels that is.

Craig and Beck Barrus were recently recognized by U.S. Senator Steve Daines as his choice for the prestigious 2018 "Angles in Adoption" honor.

Daines commented that the Barrus' are undoubtedly deserving of the honor and should be an inspiration to us all.

"With Becky having been a former foster child herself, she understands the importance of instilling family values and responsibility and embody the principle that every child deserves to have loving parents," Daines stated. "Becky and Craig have gone above and beyond for their children and community and continue to serve as an inspiration to us all."

Craig and Becky Barrus have five adopted sons, two children and a granddaughter they enhance growth in. They collectively contribute to Open Gate Ranch operations, while providing a home for abandoned, abused and neglected children in need of a loving, safe and nurturing home.

"Watching them grow, getting the first real hug, seeing them become parents, that first real smile," Becky stated when asked what is most rewarding about being a foster parent.

The couple was nominated for the Angels in Adoption award by one of their sons, Erik. He is a former intern for the Congressional Coalition Adoption Institute (CCAI), which supports Angels in Adoption through their recognition of adoptive parents who are helping to create better lives for children through adoption.

Erik submitted the following statement: "My adoptive parents have been a large influence in my life and have guided me to help others who are currently in foster care. They've taught me what it means to be part of a family. For the first time I felt like I had a mother and father that loved and cared about me and I was their son. They taught by example how to give and receive love, and how families are always there for each other – through thick and thin. They take boys into their home from all across the State of Montana and give them a safe refuge as well as unabashed love."

Open Gate Ranch is a non-profit organization that was founded in the early 1980s by George and Virginia Foutz, Becky's foster parents. The Foutz couple spent time as missionaries in the Philippines and had adopted three children from there as well.

"Both have passed on, but this was their dream, they just saw the need and went for it," Becky said with passion.

That dream was passed on to Becky. In 1993 she returned to Open Gate Ranch to help her parents and in 1995 her husband Craig joined her. Together the have nurtured over 100 fostered children in need of love.

Becky wants every child that feels lost, neglected or unloved to "reach out because there are a lot of people who really care and can help out."

The honor of receiving Angels of Adoption status will be celebrated in Washington D.C., where the Barrus' will attend a gala with other families and organizations around the nation that have invested so much in to the same care they have given. They would be honored to attend this function.

To attend the Capitol Hill celebration will be rather expensive. The family has created a GoFundMe site to help cover costs for Craig and Becky's plane tickets and hotel reservations for five nights.

"So many wonderful people are doing amazing work, changing the foster care system and finding forever home for our youth who just want a loving home," Erik stated. "They would love to be able to go and be a part of this amazing experience."

To help support the Barrus's trip visit http://www.gofundme.com/trip-to-dc-for-angels-in-adoption.