A Northern Kansas family is being honored as angels in the effort to help children find homes.

Congressman Jerry Moran nominated Nick and Jennifer Keller of Home, Kansas as Angels in Adoption. They'll be recognized along with 180 other local "angels" in an awards ceremony and gala Oct. 4 in Washington, D.C.

Congressman Jerry Moran chose the Kellers for their outstanding advocacy of drug exposed child/infant adoption. Nick and Jennifer shared their story with 13 News in May of adopting six drug exposed children over the last 3 years. They are also advocating for legislation in the state of Kansas to better protect children by allowing authorities to intervene when a pregnant woman is using illegal substances and putting her child at risk. Moran says their work to help drug endangered children-both by influencing public policy and by giving siblings a home under one roof-is a true testament to their dedication and demonstration of how they are indeed angels for those in need.

The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) orchestrates the Angels in Adoption program. It provides an opportunity for all members of the U.S. Congress to honor the good work of their onstituents who have enriched the lives of foster children and orphans in the United States and abroad.

“Our goal is to raise awareness of the millions of orphans and foster children in the United States and abroad that are in need of permanent, safe and loving homes, and we congratulate the Kellers for their role in helping us to achieve this goal,” said Deanna Carlson Stacy, CCAI’s executive director in a statement. “Thanks to Jerry Moran, the Kellers will receive the recognition they deserve for their tireless effort in the mission of helping these children realize their basic right of a family.”