Chosen Announces Sept. 11 Walk on the Wild Side for Foster Care

Waukesha, Wis. – After a one-year hiatus, Chosen Inc. (“Chosen”), a non-profit ministry dedicated to supporting and educating about foster and adoptive parenting, returns to the Milwaukee County Zoo Sept. 11 for its Walk on the Wild Side for Foster Care.

The event supports the ever-growing reach of Chosen, which is dedicated to “Fostering Forever Families” through spiritual, material, and emotional support for families built around adoption and foster parenting. Its near-term goals include opening a Family Closet (similar to its Waukesha location) in Milwaukee County to provide clothing and children’s items for families.

Registration for the Sept. 11 walk opens at 9:30 a.m. The event steps off at 10 a.m. Lunch follows at 11 a.m.

New this year is a scavenger hunt, where families can get passports stamped at stations staffed by Chosen team members and event sponsors. All completed passports will be entered into a prize drawing. Participants are encouraged to collect pledges, with drawings held for prizes.

“We’re thrilled to rejoin in person with our supporters to raise awareness of the tireless work of foster and adoptive parents, and the need for more foster families to care for kids in crisis,” said Karen Schlindwein, Vice-President of Education and Development for Chosen.

Nearly 8,000 children are in Wisconsin foster care, a 25 percent increase since 2012. Milwaukee County alone places 100 children a month with foster families.

Participants in the one-mile walk receive all-day zoo admission, parking, lunch, a Chosen annual button and a swag bag. T-shirts are available for purchase. Registration is available at https://www.choseninlove.org/2021-wild-side-registration.

Devoted sponsors help make the Walk on the Wild Side possible: Lillian Schmidt, SaintA, Norris Beyond Fostering, Waukesha County Foster Care, Foundations: Health & Wholeness, and TVG-Medulla LLC, Chiro One Wellness Centers.

Since its founding in 2016, Chosen has served more than 400 families from 12 southeastern Wisconsin counties, caring for more than 850 foster or adopted children. The Family Closet in Waukesha has given away more than 32,000 items to families since opening in May 2017.

More information about Chosen is available at www.choseninlove.org, by calling (262) 724-6736, or following on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OurChosenFamily.