Pasadena-Based People Search Engine Spokeo Plans to Recognize, Reward “Search Angels”

Spokeo, a leading people search engine which has its headquarters in Pasadena, is now accepting nominations to the 2017 Spokeo Search Angel Awards.

The program, now on its fourth year, recognizes and rewards volunteers, known as “search angels,” who donate their time, resources and support to help adult adoptees and others search for and reunite with their birth families.

“Spokeo is thrilled to reach our fourth year of hosting the Spokeo Search Angel Awards and have 10 Search Angel honorees as part of the program to date,” Vanessa Waite, Spokeo’s Director of Public Relations and Community Initiatives, said. “We are so impressed, year-after-year, with the dedication and creativity put forth by volunteer search angels. From becoming DNA experts, to championing as advocates on adoptee rights, these hard working individuals are extremely deserving of recognition and we’re honored to be able to do highlight them.”

The award comes on the heels of major strides in the adoption search community this past year, when DNA search became a widely used tool for finding family. The number of home-based genealogy testers has also dramatically increased; as of 2016, major DNA testing companies reported having more than 3.5 million testers in their databases, according to the International Society of Genetic Genealogy (ISOGG).

Anyone in the United States can nominate individuals who have volunteered their time to this cause until May 4. To be eligible, volunteers must be currently donating their search services without receiving compensation.

A Spokeo Search Angel Advisory Committee will select up to three winners this year who will receive a cash grant that could help counterbalance costs the volunteers personally incur while searching, one-year membership to Spokeo, and an opportunity to offer reunion sponsorships to families who are matched by the angels during their time as an award winner; travel costs will be covered by Spokeo.

The Search Angel Advisory Committee is composed of leaders in the adoption, foster care, search and genetic genealogy communities and will provide program guidance, review nominations and finally select the Spokeo Search Angel Award winners.

Spokeo is also also partnering with Mixed Roots Foundation and its Global Adoptee Genealogy Project (GAGP), and the American Adoption Congress in this project.

For more information or to nominate a Search Angel, visit www.spokeo.com/search-angels.