Advocate & Volunteer of the Year Awards
The Advocate of the Year Award recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to the Adoption, Child Welfare or DNA Discovery fields or community(ies) in Ohio as demonstrated by a specific accomplishment, project, program, or milestone meeting one or more of the following criteria:
- Contributed through exceptional volunteer efforts
- Influenced the wider community through their advocacy and outreach efforts
- Improved the lives of individual children and teens in foster care
- Enhanced the experiences of individuals impacted by adoption by providing information, advocacy, or other support.
Do you know someone who deserves to be our 2026 Advocate of the Year? Make your nomination before Friday, October 9!
Winners over the years include – Rita Price, The Columbus Dispatch; Jean Strauss, filmmaker; Nickie Antonio, State Representative; Dominique Moceanu, Olympian and author; Danita Harris, NewsChannel 5; Jim Ewinger, The Plain Dealer, and Estes Turner, ANC volunteer, past board member, and adoptee.
Sue and Murray Van Epp are our 2025 Advocates of the Year
Each year, Adoption Network Cleveland honors individuals who have influenced the wider community through their advocacy and outreach efforts, improved the lives of individual children and teens waiting for adoption, and enhanced the experiences of adoption triad members by providing information, advocacy, or other support. This award recognized individuals who have made a significant contribution to the Adoption, Child Welfare, or DNA Discovery fields or community(ies) in Ohio as demonstrated by specific accomplishments and milestones.
Adoption Network Cleveland is thrilled to have Sue and Murray Van Epp as our 2025 Advocates of the Year!
About Sue and Murray
As birth parents, Murray and Sue Van Epp first became involved with Adoption Network Cleveland in the early 1990s, attending General Support and Discussion Meetings as part of their family’s adoption journey. It was through these gatherings that they found community, connection, and support. Adoption Network Cleveland played a key role in facilitating their search for their relinquished daughter and supporting their reunion — an experience that deepened their bond with the organization and laid the foundation for what would become a decades-long relationship rooted in gratitude, advocacy, and giving.
When Murray retired, he and Sue turned their focus toward giving back to the community that had given them so much. Over the past 20 years, they have quietly but significantly made a difference through philanthropy—recently reaching a milestone of contributing a combined total of over $1 million to causes close to their hearts.
Among their most meaningful commitments has been their support of Adoption Network Cleveland. From the very beginning, Murray and Sue have been true partners in our mission, investing not only their resources but their time, voices, and leadership.
They have been pioneers in philanthropic giving to Adoption Network Cleveland:
- They were the first donors to notify us of a bequest in their will.
- They were the first to contribute an IRA roll-over to the organization.
- They established a Donor Advised Fund that has benefited Adoption Network Cleveland over the years and will continue to do so in perpetuity.
- Most recently, they created a Charitable Gift Annuity, further solidifying their legacy and long-term commitment.
At each of these steps, Murray and Sue have encouraged us to share their giving story — not for recognition, but to inspire others to take similar actions. Their hope is that their journey can light the way for others who want to make a lasting impact.
Their involvement goes far beyond financial support. In November 2024, when Adoption Network Cleveland was in the midst of advocacy efforts to promote a legislative solution to amend Original Birth Certificates, they saw an opportunity to lend their personal connection to the cause.
They have long known that Murray is not listed on their daughter Leanne’s Original Birth Certificate, and when the issue came to the forefront of our advocacy agenda, they immediately stepped forward to help. Murray and Sue joined a call with a potential legislative sponsor and offered their family's story as a powerful example of why change is needed—demonstrating once again their commitment to making a meaningful difference.
Murray and Sue exemplify what it means to be mission-aligned donors—those who give not only money but also heart, insight, and action. Their legacy with Adoption Network Cleveland is one of quiet leadership, compassionate engagement, and unwavering belief in the power of family and community.
Previous Advocate of the Year Winners
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Volunteer of the Year Award
The Volunteer of the Year Award (formerly the Founder’s Award) recognizes outstanding volunteer service, the spirit by which this organization was founded in 1988 and remains critical today. Those of you who know Adoption Network Cleveland’s history know that Executive Director Betsie Norris was a volunteer for seven years building the organization before she came on staff in 1995.
2025
This year, we are proud to recognize Amy Zlotnik as our 2025 Volunteer of the Year. Amy has worn many hats over the years: Board Member, Search Volunteer, and General Discussion Meeting Co-Facilitator. In each of these roles, she has brought compassion, determination, and a deep belief in the power of connection. Through her tireless work on countless search cases—many resulting in life-changing reunions—Amy has helped individuals and families find answers, healing, and hope.
Amy, along with co-facilitator Kim Dyckes, was instrumental in reviving our in-person General Discussion Meetings, helping to create an engaging, welcoming space where adoptees, birth family, and adoptive family members can come together in understanding and support.
Amy’s exceptional leadership as Co-Chair of our inaugural Over the Edge event was also instrumental to its success. She guided the committee with enthusiasm and clear direction—spearheading efforts to secure in-kind donations for our raffle, coordinating logistics for event-day volunteer training, and providing valuable input on selecting the best location for this unique experience. Amy’s ability to motivate others was evident in her encouragement of fellow committee members to actively fundraise and promote the event throughout the community. Her dedication, creativity, and teamwork helped lay the foundation for a successful event.
Beyond her program and event work, her staunch advocacy for Adoption Network Cleveland extends far beyond her volunteer hours—she shares our mission with her family, friends, and everyone she meets, inspiring others to get involved and give back.
Amy doesn’t just volunteer—she builds community. Her warmth, leadership, and belief in connection have made a lasting impact on so many lives.
