To promote National Adoption Month, the Dave Thomas Foundation is putting fliers that display photos of nine Hamilton County children in the serving trays at all Wendy's this month. Mr. Thomas, who founded Wendy's, was adopted as a child. Here are snapshots of the children behind those faces.

        Soniqua, age 12

        Soniqua is a confident adolescent with an outgoing personality. She has taken a modeling class and has fun drawing, making crafts, skating, playing with dolls and reading. Soniqua hopes for a family who will support her therapy and medication while encouraging intellectual growth.

        “Soniqua's got a good heart,” says foster mom, “Grandmaw” Maggie Whigham .

        James, age 11

        Sunshine and a warm breeze are two of James' favorite things. He gets them both after school when he plays on the swing set in his back yard. He loves toy trucks, bicycles and country music. A sure way to put a smile on James' face is to serve his favorite foods: french fries and applesauce. Autism restricts James' ability to communicate. Physical and medical challenges require a strong, nurturing family. James will need lifelong supervision, medical treatment, special education and medication.

        “He's a real loving kid,” says Joan Schibik, James' foster mother since he was seven. “He's basically nonverbal but understands what you tell him. He has trouble dealing with crowds, but he does good with other kids.”

        Isaiah, age 8and Daylashawn, age 9

        Isaiah likes being around people. Quiet and courteous, he wants to be a bus driver. But for now, he's content playing sports with his friends. His favorites are football, basketball and gymnastics. Isaiah gets a kick out of riding bikes and playing tag and board games. He enjoys school and does well on his report card. At home, he's happy listening to rap music, playing Digimon and painting pictures of houses and boats.

        “He's very, very responsible and mentally mature for his age,” foster mom Jessie Thomas says. “Isaiah takes on the leader role... He's a very active child, at home and at church. He sings in a quartet for young children.”

        Daylashawn is reserved and responsible. He likes going to school and has the good grades to prove it. For fun, Daylashawn watches Batman cartoons, sings at church and reads Bible stories. He'san avid sports fan. When he's not busy with team sports, Daylashawn picks up his cars, trucks and Legos. He wants to be a preacher.

        “He's the silly one,” Mrs. Thomas says. “Daylashawn is very extroverted, extremely smart and an excellent reader. He's very friendly and doesn't meet any strangers. He likes being the big brother.”

        Isaiah and Daylashawn want to be adopted together by a family who willnurture them. It's important to them to keep in touch with a sister and brother, who are placed separately.

        Quamar, age 3

        Energetic and active best describe Quamar. Outside, he plays on jungle gyms, rides his tricycle and runs everywhere he goes. Indoors, he's busy drawing with crayons, building with Playdoh and Legos and watching Elmo cartoons while sitting in his favorite ABC bench.

        All types of picture books and musical toys also keep him entertained. He is an eager student who loves to learn and enjoys his special education classes.

        Quamar needs an attentive family who can provide lifelong support and treatment for his developmental and medical disabilities.

        Wyatt, age 5

        As the wind blows on this young boy's face, he seems to appreciate the sound and the feeling — his senses are heightened and he watches the leaves flutter. Active one moment and motionless the next, Wyatt's level of activity fluctuates. . He is stimulated through touching and chewing on objects, from toys to grass.

        While he can't communicate in the traditional sense, he seems comforted by holding hands and being with other people. Wyatt seems happiest when he's rocking and swaying. On occasion, he smiles and giggles with delight.

        Wyatt is significantly mentally and developmentally impaired. While his foster family is working toward teaching him how to feed himself, Wyatt will require lifelong care and supervision. Wyatt needs a special family.

        Khalic, age 7

        When Khalic isn't involved in a game of basketball or baseball, he's busy playing with his toy cars and trucks, riding his bike and swinging.

        Arthur the Aardvark is his favorite story, but he likes to have any kind of fantasy book read to him.

        When it comes to food, peanut butter and jelly is his favorite. Khalic wants to be a policeman, doctor or lawyer.

        Khalic needs a supportive family who can provide a stable, dependable environment, help him develop and maintain relationships with others, support his need for therapy and medication, and help him remain in contact with his siblings.

        Jessica, age 9

        This active young girl has a variety of interests that keep her busy indoors and out. Tag, bike riding, jumping rope and fishing are some of Jessica's favorites. She also likes all kinds of music and gNickelodeon.

        At school, Jessica enjoys reading, science and computer classes. For now, she's wants to be a mortician. This reserved and pleasant young girl also enjoys watching scary movies and reading mystery books like Nancy Drew.

        Jessica needs a stable family who will support her therapy and special education classes, as well as help her remain in contact with her siblings, who are placed separately.

        Nikiah, age 6

        In addition to playing football, basketball and volleyball, Nikiah loves to jump rope, roller-skate and climb trees with her best friend.

        When this dynamic and sweet young girl takes a break from all of her outdoor activities, she plays board games like Candyland or practices drawing and painting so she can become an artist when she grows up. Nikiah is also an avid reader of Clifford the Big Red Dog books and a big fan of the movie Pocahontas.

        On target developmentally and academically, this intelligent and respectful child needs a family who will help her with behavior improvements, therapy and medication.

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