Fairy Godmother

Over the 5 years that I've known about Reece's Rainbow, I've done some advocating and fund raising for some of the kids from Latin America.  I haven't done nearly as much as some people but I've been pulled towards certain kids sometimes.  I sell Avon and hand knit items year round to help waiting children and adopting families.

Some of the kids I've advocated for are home---Mark.  Some are still waiting ---James, Phillip, Vaughn.  Some are stuck in a country that isn't processing US families right now --- Kimberley, Lene.  One passed away before she got the chance to know the love of a family --- Monet.  One I will get to meet this summer --- Josie/Seraphina!

And then, there is the one who is being adopted by a childhood/high school friend of mine.  The one who will live less than an hour from me  The one I will be able to greet at the airport.  And spoil on his first birthday with a family.  The one I will get to watch grow and thrive.  Then there is  --- TJ/Andre.

And, guess, what?  I have the right to do all of those things because I am officially his Godmother.  Because every former orphan deserves one more person to spoil him and love him and pour into his little life.

His new family crashed Sara's dance class yesterday to officially ask us to forever be in his life.  I'm so honored and touched.  (Although I was very confused at the time.)  You can watch the video here:

If you want to help this amazing family financially, you can purchase Avon, buy some hand knit items, make a tax-deductible donation through Reece's Rainbow or make a donation directly to the family to help with upfront costs.  You can also order 31 or buy some great World Down Syndrome Day Shirts.  (Or this style shirt.)

Miracle of Adoption Christmas Campaign Virtual Craft/Vendor Fair Participants

November 1-15, 2016

Shop from any of the vendors/crafters listed below.  All proceeds will go to a child waiting to find their forever family.

Join our facebook group for up to the minute information, sales and deals, featured items and to ask questions.

Share the blog post and facebook group frequently.

Check out the Miracle of Adoption Christmas Campaign  to see all the kids involved or to make donations directly to their adoption grants.

A Christmas Jubilee
Facebook page 
Benefits Jubilee
I will be adding crafts that I have made personally, but I am starting by offering handmade ornaments made from steel drums and bracelets with beads made from paper both created in Haiti

Angel Crafts Shop
Website
Facebook page
Benefits Andersen 
Angel Crafts Shop started out as a project for a Sunday School class to help a couple of special needs orphans. After that one project, Ifelt the need to do more. I decided to combine my love for crafting and my love for these kiddos. So this store was born. 50% of the sale price of every item goes back to the orphans. 50% goes to keeping the store running. Products: Handmade Hair Accessories, Decorative Items and Wall Art

Avon for Adoptions 
Website
Facebook page
Benefits Andre
More than just makeup.  Avon also includes body care, home items, fashion, and children's products.  

Chole+Isabel by Markie
Website
Facebook page
Benefits Andre
There will be a special link created just for the craft fair shoppers!
Beautiful high quality jewelry with a lifetime guarantee. Created to empower women everywhere.

The Gourmet Cupboard
Website
Benefits Christian
Affordable gourmet handmade mixes: soups, meals, side dishes, and more!

Hope in Sight Pampered Chef
Website
Benefits Todd
Put Todd's 1st Party in notes
I do pampered chef kitchen items.

IncredAble Things
Website
Benefits Leigha
Learning toys, sensory items, crafts, games and more!

Kid Wrangler T-Shirts
Website
Benefits Walter

LuLaRoe with Mandy Rhodes
Facebook
Benefits Andre
November 12-13 only.  


Miracle for Malcolm
Facebook page
Benefits Malcolm
I am selling customized Christmas Ornaments. I have a variety of colors and can do any country or state!

Norwex
Website
Benefits Andre
Norwex helps you turn your home into a safe haven. Together, we can improve our quality of life for generations to come!

Origami Owl
Website
Benefits Andre

Origami Owl allows you to create unique, personalized gifts for yourself or for your loved ones. What I love most is that so much of our jewelry is interchangeable! You can change it out by season, holiday, occasion or just your mood! Discover the endless possibilities of Origami Owl!

Ornaments
Website
Benefits Walter

Pocket Gypsy Designs
Website
Facebook page
Benefits Kate 
Pocket Gypsy Designs sells reasonably priced hair accessories, jewelry and more.  Custom orders always welcome.  

Savannah Grace Shop 
Website
Facebook page
Benefits Andre
Please put craft fair on the line that says family fundraising name.
I sell products to inspire, unify, and encourage people.


Scarves and Skirts for Sara
Facebook page
Benefits Andre
Handknit items including scarves, ruffle skirts, Christmas stocking, hair pompoms and many other items.  Buy It Now and Custom Order items available.  

Scentsy  
Website
Facebook Page
Website 
Benefits Andre
Wickless, Flameless, Chose your warmer, Cleaners, and more!!

Spirit Cups 
Website
Benefits Andre
Coffee and Travel mugs for your favorite professional and college sports teams.

Missions Trip Fund Raisers

Current Fund Raisers:

You Caring Link

Avon Link - 20% of each purchase will go to the missions trip.  Please follow my facebook page for sales and special codes.

Amazon Link - a percentage of each purchase  made through this link will go to the missions trip.  (The percentage varies.)  

Scarves and Skirts for Sara - Hand knit items.  50%  of each purchase goes to the missions trip.  Custom orders accepted!

Baja T-Shirts - Each shirt is $20 including shipping.  Shirts can be ordered on this form.



Future Fund Raisers:
Online Auction

Cha-Cha-Cha-Changes - Take 2

Below is a blog post I wrote last February.  Let's just say that some things haven't turned out quite like I thought.  I'm going to repost it and then update in bold where we currently are with my "plans."

Some big changes are coming to our little family.  Big changes.   Well, we definitely have experienced some big changes.  

The first huge change is moving.  We are planning to move this summer to be closer to my family.  I've been almost 600 miles from my family since I finished college 15 years ago.  I've enjoyed my independence and never planned to move back.  But, kids change everything.  There are tons of reasons to stay and tons of reasons to move but I really want Sara to be near her family and that trumps the rest of the list.  We did move.  And it was the right thing to do, even if it didn't quite work out like I thought it would.  

My parents and I are working on a housing situation since rental options in the middle of no where are pretty limited.  I have almost finished the process to transfer my teaching license to NY.  (Although I'm open to lots of employment options.)  I've met with a Realtor and am cautiously optimistic about selling my house here.  I've been looking for jobs but it's still pretty early to get serious about anything.  Please pray with us for a great job (I love the one I'm leaving here) and that we will at least break even on the house.   The housing situation didn't pan out quite like we had planned.  My dad lost his job just before we moved so our plans to add an apartment onto my parents' house were put on hold.  My house still hasn't sold so we're living in my parents' guest room.  It's probably best that it worked out this way.  I don't think I would have moved knowing we'd still be sharing a bedroom in my parents' house but it's worked out just fine.  My father has secured a great new job and I'm really hoping my house will sell soon.  (I can lower the price once I get my tax refund back.)  We should be able to move forward with the apartment addition once we get out of the deep winter freeze.  It took me ALL summer and almost 100 applications but I did find a teaching job.  It's not exactly what I'm passionate about but it's a smaller public school setting.  The people are great and there is a possibility of a much better fit for next year.  The aide that I work with is amazing and has done a great job of keeping me sane.  

A big bonus of moving is access to free babysitters---aka the grandparents! I have been blessed with amazing sitters for Sara after school and on her days off.  I would not be able to make it without them.  I also have respite care through a local agency but Sara will not stay with them.  (The emotional impact was not worth a few hours away.)  My parents adore Sara and she loves them.  They are pretty much the only ones I can leave her with without major tears and trauma.  (Although my dad learned at Christmas that she doesn't really like to go out without mom.)  Knowing that I will be able to run to the store alone occasionally or go to the doctor without a shadow is very relieving to me.  I'm glad that we've had these two years together to establish our little family but it's time to accept some help.  This mom is tired.  I got to go to small group yesterday!  Yay!

Now that I've admitted I'm exhausted, it's time to announce something else.  I might just be crazy but I'm planning to start another adoption once we are settled.  I have my eye on a little one but I'm hoping and praying she doesn't have to wait that long for a family.  (You know those prayers.  Dear God, please help me find her a family quickly.  If not, please let my agency have her file in the fall.  Because I want her to have a mom.  Soon.  But I really want to be her mom.)  I swore I would never go back to Sara's country but I think adoption is like labor.  It doesn't seem to bad from this side of things.  It was hard but totally worth it.   Sure.  I'd do it again.   That particular little girl has a mommy working very hard to bring her home.  She should be home soon and I'm so excited for her.  I'm glad she didn't have to wait for me.  And, yes, I am still planning to go back to Sara's country.  Crazy.  I know.  

Sara has adjusted so well and is becoming so independent.  She loves babies and I think will do really well with a younger sibling (once she learns to share mommy).  I've had people asking me for the last two years when I was going to adopt again.  Reading this little girl's file and really thinking about what life would look like with another one makes me think that the time is near.  As long as the transition to our new home and life goes well, I really think we'll be in a position to start a new adoption in the fall.  Fall!  Ha!!  I was definitely optimistic.  I'm now hoping to start a home study late this summer or next fall.  It all depends on the timing of the new apartment and the sale of my house.  Until that sells, I just don't have the funds to adopt again or raise another child.  

I have set up a Future Adoption Account and will change some of my advocacy and fund raising efforts in order to be as financially ready as possible when I can finally commit and start a home study.  (I know I won't save enough for the whole adoption by then but I'm hoping for enough to get me started.)  I'll be adding a small amount out of each pay check to the account.  I'll also be putting in any money that I make from selling items that we won't be moving.  (I love online garage sale sites!)  I'll be using my Swagbucks points to get paypal gift cards which I can transfer to the account.  I'll also be adding some money from Scarves and Skirts for Sara and Avon for Adoptions.  And once my car is paid off in the new few months, that account is really going to grow!  I set up an account through YouCaring to keep all the money secure until I can use it for my home study.  I didn't set it up to get straight up donations.  (Although I wouldn't turn them down.)  I believe firmly in working for the money I need to adopt and I will do so.  The YouCaring account was set up for donations from items that I am knitting through my facebook page Scarves and Skirts for Sara.  For now, my regular paycheck will go to paying down my mortgage so I can sell my home.  Once that is sold, any extra money I have will go to the adoption.  


I will continue to use Scarves and Skirts for Sara to raise money for friends who are adopting.  When I sell items, I usually charge twice what the yarn cost me plus shipping costs.  (There are a few exceptions.)  I keep half of the money from each sale to cover my costs.  Up until now, the other half has gone to an adopting family or waiting child.  Starting with any new orders, I will give 25% of the price to the current family or child and put the other 25% in my future adoption account.    For now, any donation I receive from orders that I come through my knitting page will go into my YouCaring account unless another beneficiary is specified by the purchaser.  I am not at all opposed to helping others and will donate to a family or waiting child if the buyer prefers.  Not everyone may be comfortable donating to a "future adoption" and I get that.  I'd rather have someone make a purchase and help another family than not make a purchase at all.  That helps no one.  

I will also continue to use Avon sales from Avon for Adoptions to help adopting families.  I have always donated my 20% commission to adopting families.  Starting March 1, when a family is holding a fund raiser, they will get 15% of each purchase and I will keep the other 5% for my future adoption fund.  If there is not an active fund raiser going on, all 20% will go into my savings account.  Until I am ready to officially start an adoption, my Avon for Adoption money will continue to go to help adopting families and waiting children.  Once my adoption has begun, I will keep the commission to help pay for the adoption.  

Please fell free to use my new Amazon Link when you shop.  A percentage of each purchase will go to my Future Adoption Fund.  

I realize this is probably a lot more technical information than a lot of you wanted but I really strive to be honest and forthcoming about all of my fundraising efforts--whether they are for myself or someone else. 

Those are the two big changes that I'm ready to vaguely announce for our little family.  Who knows what other changes our future holds.  Stay tuned.   Still wondering if that other change will ever pan out or not.  God's timing is definitely not the same as mine.  

Cha-Cha-Cha-Changes

Some big changes are coming to our little family.  Big changes.

The first huge change is moving.  We are planning to move this summer to be closer to my family.  I've been almost 600 miles from my family since I finished college 15 years ago.  I've enjoyed my independence and never planned to move back.  But, kids change everything.  There are tons of reasons to stay and tons of reasons to move but I really want Sara to be near her family and that trumps the rest of the list.

My parents and I are working on a housing situation since rental options in the middle of no where are pretty limited.  I have almost finished the process to transfer my teaching license to NY.  (Although I'm open to lots of employment options.)  I've met with a Realtor and am cautiously optimistic about selling my house here.  I've been looking for jobs but it's still pretty early to get serious about anything.  Please pray with us for a great job (I love the one I'm leaving here) and that we will at least break even on the house.  

A big bonus of moving is access to free babysitters---aka the grandparents!  I have been blessed with amazing sitters for Sara after school and on her days off.  I would not be able to make it without them.  I also have respite care through a local agency but Sara will not stay with them.  (The emotional impact was not worth a few hours away.)  My parents adore Sara and she loves them.  They are pretty much the only ones I can leave her with without major tears and trauma.  (Although my dad learned at Christmas that she doesn't really like to go out without mom.)  Knowing that I will be able to run to the store alone occasionally or go to the doctor without a shadow is very relieving to me.  I'm glad that we've had these two years together to establish our little family but it's time to accept some help.  This mom is tired.

Now that I've admitted I'm exhausted, it's time to announce something else.  I might just be crazy but I'm planning to start another adoption once we are settled.  I have my eye on a little one but I'm hoping and praying she doesn't have to wait that long for a family.  (You know those prayers.  Dear God, please help me find her a family quickly.  If not, please let my agency have her file in the fall.  Because I want her to have a mom.  Soon.  But I really want to be her mom.)  I swore I would never go back to Sara's country but I think adoption is like labor.  It doesn't seem to bad from this side of things.  It was hard but totally worth it.   Sure.  I'd do it again.  

Sara has adjusted so well and is becoming so independent.  She loves babies and I think will do really well with a younger sibling (once she learns to share mommy).  I've had people asking me for the last two years when I was going to adopt again.  Reading this little girl's file and really thinking about what life would look like with another one makes me think that the time is near.  As long as the transition to our new home and life goes well, I really think we'll be in a position to start a new adoption in the fall.  

I have set up a Future Adoption Account and will change some of my advocacy and fund raising efforts in order to be as financially ready as possible when I can finally commit and start a home study.  (I know I won't save enough for the whole adoption by then but I'm hoping for enough to get me started.)  I'll be adding a small amount out of each pay check to the account.  I'll also be putting in any money that I make from selling items that we won't be moving.  (I love online garage sale sites!)  I'll be using my Swagbucks points to get paypal gift cards which I can transfer to the account.  I'll also be adding some money from Scarves and Skirts for Sara and Avon for Adoptions.  And once my car is paid off in the new few months, that account is really going to grow!

I will continue to use Scarves and Skirts for Sara to raise money for friends who are adopting.  When I sell items, I usually charge twice what the yarn cost me plus shipping costs.  (There are a few exceptions.)  I keep half of the money from each sale to cover my costs.  Up until now, the other half has gone to an adopting family or waiting child.  Starting with any new orders, I will give 25% of the price to the current family or child and put the other 25% in my future adoption account.  

I will also continue to use Avon sales from Avon for Adoptions to help adopting families.  I have always donated my 20% commission to adopting families.  Starting March 1, when a family is holding a fund raiser, they will get 15% of each purchase and I will keep the other 5% for my future adoption fund.  If there is not an active fund raiser going on, all 20% will go into my savings account.  

I realize this is probably a lot more technical information than a lot of you wanted but I really strive to be honest and forthcoming about all of my fundraising efforts--whether they are for myself or someone else.

Those are the two big changes that I'm ready to vaguely announce for our little family.  Who knows what other changes our future holds.  Stay tuned.

Christmas Scarves

Here is one of my Christmas Fund Raisers for Angel Tree.  $10 from each scarf purchase goes to help this little girl find her forever family.  

The scarves are made from beautiful Christmas ribbon.  They can be sewn into cowls upon request.

These fabrics are also available.  

These scarves are available for $15.

If ruffles aren't your thing, you can check out other hand knit items here.  50% of each purchase will go to Kimberley's grant.

If scarves and knit items don't interest you, you can order Avon items here.  10% of each purchase during October and November will go to Kimberley's grant.  During December, that number doubles to 20%!  Make sure to follow the Avon Facebook page to see current sales and new items.

The Angel Tree officially starts on November 1st.  During November and December, you will get an adorable ornament with Kimberley's picture for a donation of $35 or more.

Angel Tree - Kimberley - Year 2

I'm not going to lie, I'm sad to be advocating and fund raising for Kimberley again this year.  I wasn't going to do the Angel Tree project again this year (I'm pretty busy with my own little munchkin, Avon sales, knitting, and 5/5/5 for families) but I just can't let this little girl down.  She needs someone to gush over her progress and take before and after pictures.  She needs a Christmas stocking and gifts.  She needs LOVE!  She NEEDS and DESERVES a family.  

I'll be working hard this Christmas season to raise money for her grant.  I hope that people will help by ordering items and sharing fund raisers.  More importantly, though, I'd love for my friends, family, and followers to SHARE HER!   She needs to be seen.  She needs to be loved and cherished.  

As you probably know, I found my daughter through an organization called Reece's Rainbow.  Each year at Christmas time, they have a huge Angel Tree project with a goal of raising $1,000 for hundreds of children on their site.  This money is held in a grant and then used to help pay for that child's adoption when a family is found.  (Sara had $0 in her grant when I committed to her.  $1,000 would have been a huge blessing!)  

Again this year, I have signed up to raise money and awareness for Kimberley.

She is an adorable 7-year-old in a country that I love in Latin America.  The country has a very small international adoption program.  For a long time, the country leaders felt that kids with Down syndrome were unadoptable.  Some brave families have worked very hard to change that perception.  Wouldn't it be great if Kimberley was the next one to show them that kids with Down syndrome are wanted by families?

I'm working on a virtual craft/vendor fair that will raise money for Kimberley, for my friend Emily's AT child, and for the school where I work.  This fund raiser has the potential to be huge.

I'm also thinking about ways to raise the rest of the money.  Just in case the local fund raiser isn't as epic as I'm planning.  

*All orders from my Scarves and Skirts for Sara page will benefit Kimberley during the months of October, November, and December.  It's not too early to think about special orders for Christmas!  I've found some great Christmas ruffle fabrics for really fun scarves.  

*10% of all AVON orders from my Avon site will benefit Kimberley during the months of October and November 20% of all sales from AVON will go to Kimberley during December.  (I am part of the Virtual Craft Fair that benefits the IDSC during October and November so they get 10% of all orders as well.)

*I will have some items in a large group auction that will benefit multiple children in November.  (I'll post the link as soon as I have it.)  

If you would like to help in any way, please let me know!  If you are interested in helping your own child this Christmas season, you can check out the Angel Tree page on Reece's Rainbow.

*Anyone who makes a donation of $35 or more to any child on the Angel Tree will receive an adorable ornament with the child's picture.  What a great gift for those people on your list who have everything!

Avon

I've been looking for ways to help adopting families since I completed my own adoption.  I love knitting and will keep doing so but it doesn't make a ton of money in the spring and summer.  So, I've decided to sell Avon online.  I have no interest in selling in person or going door-to-door.  I just want to organize online parties for adopting families.

My first family is Laurence's family.  The commission from any purchases made from my site during the month of April will go to his family.  You don't need a special code or anything.  Just make a purchase!

Laurence's family currently has a matching grant through a local church.  That means, my commission donation will be doubled!!  40 to 80% of the price of your purchase will end up going to help this family!!  And, you still get a great product.

Summer is coming.  We all need to stock up on sunblock and bug spray!

Please pass this link on to your friends and family.  Who doesn't want to help someone while buying things they already need?

www.youravon.com/adoption

Adoption Fund Raiser Ideas

This is not an exhaustive list by any means. These are the adoption fund raisers that I have held in the last six months. I will continue to add to this list as I continue my journey. I will also try to add a section for successful fund raisers that I have seen others do. I thought it could a list would be a nice resource for new families who need a good place to start.

Fund Raisers I've Done:
1. Give Away. I held a Give Away with various items that friends and family donated. This was very successful! There are some legalities you should know so check into those before you start (or ask me if you are interested). Just make sure you specify the rules and regulations very clearly.

2. Just Love Coffee. This is a very easy fundraiser. You enroll with them and then get a percentage of the profits. It wasn't hugely successful for me but I did get a small check every month. It requires no work on your part so it doesn't really hurt to set up an account.

3. You can find a friend or another adoptive mom who has a direct sales business. I had a friend host a 31 party for me. Another adoptive mom held an Avon Fundraiser. I am currently holding a Pampered Chef Party and another friend is holding a Scentsy Party. These parties have mixed success. It depends on the product itself, the percentage of sales you get, if the seller is willing to donate their commission, etc. I like them, though, because you are giving people a good product for their donation.

4. Yard Sale. I was pretty skeptical about this one. The woman in my small group held a Yard Sale for Sara. It was a HUGE success. They made it clear that it was for an international adoption and some people were very generous. Definitely something worth looking in to.

5. Puzzle Piece Fundraiser. I stole this idea from other Reece's Rainbow families. I've seen mixed success with these.

6. On-Line Auction. I auctioned off items that had been donated by friends and family. I also included things I had made and things that I had at home. I used a facebook page to do this. My auction was hugely successful but did require a lot of work on my part.

7. Change Drive. I've seen this done many ways but I kept mine very simple. I also scheduled it around her birthday to make it more significant.

8. Adoption T-Shirts. I am selling t-shirts through Adoption Bug. There are other organizations that also host these sales. You get a check each month for a percentage of the sales. I like these because they raise money and awareness at the same time.

9. Find a Skill or Craft. I've been selling scarves that I knit. I've seen other people sell hair bows, sock dolls, and many other things. This can be done with an esty shop, a facebook page or a blog post.


Fund Raisers Others Have Done:
1. Amazon Associate. This program is also very simple and requires little effort on your part. You put a link on your blog and encourage your friends and family to go to Amazon through that link. You get a check each month for a percentage of all the sales that come through your link. This program isn't allowed in IL so I can't do it. I do, however, make sure I use another adoptive family's link every time I go to Amazon.

2.  Karaoke:  Here's an idea I saw in a Colombia group:  "My family just had a karaoke fundraiser at our local Mexican restaurant. We raised $894 in 3 hours!  We borrowed a friends karaoke machine. We posted at church, our work, & on fb. We charged money to make people sing ($2), money not to have to sing($3) , & money to buy an "exemption bracelet" ($10) which we bought in bulk from oriental trading."

Other Tips:
1. Update your Adoption Blog Regularly. People want to experience this with you . Keep your blog updated--even when you feel like there aren't any updates to make. You never know who is reading and who is donating. I made a list of donations and where they came from. I also made a list of where my readers come from. I don't know a lot of these people!

2. Get your family profile listed. I have a profile on Reece's Rainbow and AdoptTogether. Both of these organizations give people the opportunity to make tax-deductible donations to my adoption. They also make Sara's story public! Reece's Rainbow only lists children with special needs but AdoptTogether lists all kinds of adopting families.

3. Free Ways To Help. Remind your friends and family that there are many ways they can help without spending any money.

4. Keep Your Blog Info Current. I have a blog post that contains all the current fundraisers. I keep this updated so everyone knows exactly what is going on. I also have a link to this post on the layout of my blog so that it can easily be found.

5. Apply for Grants. You need a completed home study for most grant applications but it doesn't hurt to research them early and have them ready to go. Lifesong has one of the best lists I've seen. You can also find them by googling things like Adoption Grants, International Adoption Grants, Special Needs Adoption Grants. Try searching by your country, by your child's specific need, etc.

Prolonged Silence

This will be short. I'm on my kindle and I don't type well on here.

Last week was very busy with the end of the school year. Then, I headed to NY for a long weekend with the fam. Tomorrow, I leave for a much needed vacation with my friend Anna. When we bought this trip in October, I had no idea how much I would need to get away right now.

I am hoping to come back to USCIS approval, a completed FBI background check, and a signed letter from my doctor. Wouldn't that be great?

Please don't forget to check out my Avon fund raiser while I'm gone!

Avon Fundraiser

Jennifer Menges is another fellow Reece's Rainbow adopter. She has graciously agreed to host an online Avon Fundraiser to benefit Sara's adoption. She started selling Avon to help fund her own adoption but is now giving to other families. (The amazing people just keep appearing in my life!)

It's pretty simple. Click on this link and shop away. Use the checkout code kelleradoption (It should show up automatically if you use the above link.)

If that does't work for some reason, you can get to the link this way:

1. Go to www.youravon.com/jennifermenges
2. Click on the “eparty” tab at the top
3. Choose my name and click where it says “shop my eparty”.

The party will be available for the month of June. All orders will ship directly to your home. Let me know if you have any questions and thanks for your continued support!