Scott Ross : With Wendy's founder, Dave Thomas, what you see is what you get. He's a guy with old- fashioned values and old-fashioned burgers whose face has become well known on TV screens across America. But while you may be familiar with his food, you may not realize that Dave Thomas was an adopted child who never knew his birth parents. Dave's adopted mother died when he was just five, and his childhood was not easy. But from the start, Dave decided to make the best of every situation -- good or bad.

Dave Thomas : I lived a lonely life. But sometimes adversity is really an opportunity. I would have loved to have seen my mother and father; there's no question about that. And I was sad. But what am I going to do about it. So I had to take a different viewpoint, and I had to look at a different opportunity. As I say, sometimes adversity is really a big opportunity -- if you make it so. I just try to focus on the right things.

Scott : That focus paid off when Dave opened his first Wendy's restaurant in 1969. Today there are 4000 Wendy's worldwide. But the dedication and hard work that made Wendy's into a multi-billion dollar business is not limited to hamburgers. Dave Thomas gives generously to quite a few causes -- such as a national journalism competition for high school students.

Dave also believes in the need for mentors.

Dave : You can go out and get the wrong mentor who breaks the law. We have such a big responsibility today to help people understand how to do the right thing. And you know, it starts with God, and it starts with family -- to be honest, and have integrity, and work hard, and all those things that we don't hear enough. I think we need to hear more about it.

Scott : Helping people "do the right thing" is what also motivates Dave's effort with the cause that is closest to his heart: adoption. Dave was honored by the White House when they asked him to be spokesman for the "Adoption Works for Everyone" program.

Dave : President and Mrs. Bush did ask me to ask corporate America to put adoption benefits in with their regular benefits, you know as maternity benefits. And I think that there are so many children out there, like special needs children. Anyone that doesn't have a home deserves a home and love. That's really what I have been trying to do -- to give people an awareness of adoption.

Scott : Thomas has been hard at work to make not only corporate America aware of the adoption option, but the rest of America as well. His own corporation offers a special benefits package to employees who adopt. Proceeds from Thomas's new autobiography, Dave's Way , all go toward the cause.

And there are the PSA's as well. You've heard of "Jerry's Kids?" Well, here are some of Dave's kids who were at a Columbus, Ohio store for a photo shoot. They are foster kids, in need of a permanent home. Lisa Smith is one of these kids' guardian angels; she works for Franklin County Children Services.

What condition generally do you find these children in? Are they physically abused, mentally abused?"

Lisa Smith : Our children have been both physically abused, sometimes maybe sexually abused. Also neglected. Very few of our children are actually surrendered by their parents. So we do find most cases of neglect or abuse. And just children who basically need a good, stable, loving environment."

Scott : Do you yourself getting emotionally involved with these kids?

Lisa : Obviously. Yeah, yeah.

Scott : Robert has been in 12 foster homes over the past five years. His mother is in jail. He's not allowed to see his father. Robert aspires to be an astronaut when he's grown. But right now all he wants is a family.

All right, Robert, the future astronaut, explorer of space, great photographer -- why should people want to adopt someone like you?

Robert : Hairdo's good too!

Scott : It's kids like Robert that keep Dave Thomas going.

Dave : Everyone's got to be for a child to have a home and love. I mean I don't know anyone who would be against that.