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The addition of a child to a family, whether biological or adopted, occasions celebration and commitment to providing a happy, safe, and understanding home. Many families in Montgomery County have adopted children from overseas but perhaps the most remarkable story begins in Illinois in the 1950s when Fred Cappuccino, a Methodist minister, and his wife, Bonnie, married, had two children and adopted three more before 1960, two from Japan and one from Korea.
The addition of a child to a family, whether biological or adopted, occasions celebration and commitment to providing a happy, safe, and understanding home. Many families in Montgomery County have adopted children from overseas but perhaps the most remarkable story begins in Illinois in the 1950s when Fred Cappuccino, a Methodist minister, and his wife, Bonnie, married, had two children and adopted three more before 1960, two from Japan and one from Korea.
Photo of Machiko (center) with her adopted parents and brother, from Jet magazine, September 29, 1955
Global thinkers, humanitarians, and civil rights activists, the couple chose to adopt Machiko, a mixed race (African American father and Japanese mother) girl from Japan. Fearing that the Cappuccino family was starting the desegregation of the neighborhood, a third of their Methodist congregation's parishioners departed from the church community following her arrival in 1955. The adoption, somewhat groundbreaking for the time, received mention and a picture in Jet magazine.
Global thinkers, humanitarians, and civil rights activists, the couple chose to adopt Machiko, a mixed race (African American father and Japanese mother) girl from Japan. Fearing that the Cappuccino family was starting the desegregation of the neighborhood, a third of their Methodist congregation's parishioners departed from the church community following her arrival in 1955. The adoption, somewhat groundbreaking for the time, received mention and a picture in Jet magazine.
In 1963, the Cappuccinos decided to move and found a much more welcoming community in Montgomery County where Fred left the Methodists and became a Unitarian Universalist minister. While in Silver Spring, their adopted daughters Machiko, Kunio (adopted from Japan in 1956) and Annie Laurie (adopted from Korea in 1959) became U.S. citizens.
In 1963, the Cappuccinos decided to move and found a much more welcoming community in Montgomery County where Fred left the Methodists and became a Unitarian Universalist minister. While in Silver Spring, their adopted daughters Machiko, Kunio (adopted from Japan in 1956) and Annie Laurie (adopted from Korea in 1959) became U.S. citizens.
The Cappuccino family continued to grow as Fred and Bonnie adopted more children. In all, their family includes 21 children, 19 of whom were adopted from overseas. Eventually the Cappuccinos moved to Canada. Their children, who now have children of their own, live in both countries. In 1985, Fred and Bonnie started a nonprofit organization, Child Haven, that endeavors to help destitute children and women. As they have done for their own children, the Cappuccinos wish that all children become successful and productive citizens of the world who in time will also help, with open arms, those in need.
The Cappuccino family continued to grow as Fred and Bonnie adopted more children. In all, their family includes 21 children, 19 of whom were adopted from overseas. Eventually the Cappuccinos moved to Canada. Their children, who now have children of their own, live in both countries. In 1985, Fred and Bonnie started a nonprofit organization, Child Haven, that endeavors to help destitute children and women. As they have done for their own children, the Cappuccinos wish that all children become successful and productive citizens of the world who in time will also help, with open arms, those in need.
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