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Peyton Crist
Founder & President of ACT Families
Adoptee. Advocate. Founder of ACT: Adoption Can Transform Families.
Miss Hidden River’s Teen | Public Speaker
Peyton's Story
In 2010, a young woman facing homelessness, pressure, and an unplanned pregnancy made a selfless decision that changed two lives forever. With the support of a local crisis pregnancy center, she chose adoption — and three days after birth, her child was welcomed into a loving forever family.
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That child was Peyton.
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Adoption gave Peyton stability, opportunity, and a voice — and from an early age, she felt called to advocate for children and families facing similar circumstances. What began as childhood donation drives grew into a lifelong mission to educate, serve, and inspire others to support adoption and foster care.
A Calling to Serve
While Peyton's story is filled with hope and love, she realizes not every child is as fortunate. Thousands of children across the country face challenges like abortion, abuse, neglect, or long waits in foster care with the hope of being adopted. In fact, 58% of children spend two to five years in foster care before being adopted, with over five-thousand children currently in foster care in Alabama today. Although her initiative didn’t officially have a name until 2023, Adoption Can Transform (ACT) Families has been a calling on her life for as long as she can remember.
Through this initiative, she raises awareness about the beauty of adoption, the urgent need for loving families, and the many ways people can support children in crisis.
From Adoption to Advocacy
 January 2011"Gotcha Day" (from hospital to forever family) |  April 2011"Adoption Day" |  April 2011"Adoption Day" |  June 2013Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption |
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 January 2014Fundraising at 3rd Birthday Party |  September 2015Lifeline Children's Services volunteer host for China Kids Camp |  June 2016Stand for Orphans Popsicle Fundraiser |  April 2017Celebrating 6th Annual "Gotcha Day" |
 January 2017Birthday Fundraiser for Lifeline Children's Services |  June 2018"Stand for Orphans" popsicle fundraiser |  June 2019Volunteer support for International Adoption |  June 2019Volunteer support for International Adoption |
 July 2019"Stand for Orphans" popsicle fundraiser |  August 2021Run for One 5K Fundraiser (pictured with Dad) |  September 2021Peyton's drawing in preparation for new foster sister |  November 2021Orphan Sunday - Birmingham, AL |
 November 2021Resources for Women Annual Banquet Speaker (pictured with Dad) |  January 2022Speaker on Library Connections on local Sylacauga TV Station (pictured with Dad) |  May 2023Kids Connect 4 Jesus Mission Trip to Belize |  October 2023Supporting Lifeline Children's Services Annual Banquet - Huntsville, AL |
 February 2024Speaker at Royal Family Kids Camp (pictured with Peyton, Leslie - Camp Director, and Max - Camp Dog) |  February 2024Baby bottle fundraiser for Hope Family Services (pictured with Kathy Pool). $500 was raised. |  February 2024Volunteer, Fundraising for Growing Together, Partners in Hope (pictured with Becky Bolton) |  April 2024Child Abuse Prevention Rally (pictured with Margaret Morton - Director of SAFE) |
 May 2024Volunteer Advocate at Ligonier Conference Expo (pictured with Dad) |  December 2024Adoption Fundraiser for "Baby AJ" |  March 2025RFK Awareness and Fundraising Event |  April 2025Women of Compassion - Alabama Baptist Children's Home |
 May 2025Pampered Chef Royal Family Kids Fundraiser |  June 2025Royal Family Kids Camp "Big Camper" |  July 2025Royal Family Kids Softball Fundraiser |  November 2025Speaking Engagement - Southern Dance & Performing Arts "Christmas Angels" Recital benefitting families and children in foster care |
 November 2025Daybreak with Jimmy Dale Abrams Appearance |  November 2026Pet Connect with Tara Douglas Appearance |  November 2025Library Connection Appearance |  November 2025Thanksgiving Meal Community Service with SAFE |
 December 2025Christmas gift wrapping with Women of Compassion - Alabama Baptist Children's Home (pictured with Jackie Champion) |  February 2026Sylacauga City Council Meeting - Safe Haven Baby Box |  February 2026Sylacauga City Council Meeting - Safe Haven Baby Box |  March 2026Read Across America Week 2026 |
City Council Meeting for Safe Haven Baby Box
All Videos
Run for One Video Series - 2021
