The new film “The Blind Side” — based on the true story of a quiet Tennessee football star who grew up in foster care — opened Friday in movie theaters.
Salina-based Saint Francis Community Services, which provides support for at-risk children through foster care, adoption and other services, hopes moviegoers will see the film and be inspired to learn more about foster care and adoption.
Representatives from Saint Francis, which also has an office in Newton, will be on hand at screenings in the area throughout the weekend and for the duration of its movie theater run to pass out information, answer questions about foster care and adoption, and hand out freebies.
In the film, and in real life, Michael Oher, a 6’4”, 300-pound teenager who was abandoned by his birth parents and grew up in the housing projects of Memphis, was mentored onto the football field by a wealthy Tennessee couple, the Touhys, who adopted him and welcomed him into their family.
The Touhys also encouraged Michael in the classroom and in life.
He went on to earn a scholarship to the University of Mississippi and is now a rookie with the Baltimore Ravens.
For more information about foster care or adoption, call (866) 999-1599.
To find out if Saint Francis representatives will be in your area, call (316) 831-0330.
