Miracle of Adoption Christmas Campaign is Coming!

For the last several years, I've participated in Reece's Rainbow's Christmas Campaign.  The goal of the campaign is to raise $1,000 for a chosen child's grant and to do everything you can to get their face out there and hopefully find them a family.

In 2013 and 2014, I advocated and fund raised for Kimberley.  Sadly, her country has closed to US adoptions.

In 2015, I decided not to participate because we had just moved and I was beyond stressed with my new job.  I was really missed it and wished I had made the effort.

In 2016, I picked Andre.  He was just a little chunk of a baby waiting for a family in Colombia.

Now he's home, thriving, going to school, getting the medical care he desperately needed and being loved every day.

In 2017, I picked Lianne but then found out she was being adopted to Italy so I changed to AJ.  He now has a family who loves him dearly and are working to bring him home as soon as possible.

So, now I'm gearing up for 2018.  I was informed today that any child 5 and under can be a part of the campaign.  So, I'm rethinking my choice and planning and plotting my fundraisers.  I'll let you know who I picked as soon as it's official.  (Although the choices for kids 5 and under in Latin America are pretty limited.)  

But, I also want you to consider participating.  I know $1,000 sounds like a lot but it's doable.  And, if you don't get there, that's ok too!!  The most important thing is getting kids faces out there!  You never know who might see them and decide they should be part of their family.  I certainly never thought my childhood friend would end up adopting Andre and that her teaching friend would adopt AJ.  You just never know!  

*If you think you might adopt someday, this is a great way to get your feet wet with fund raising and find out what works and doesn't.

*If you think it might be fun but aren't sure if you can do it, there is a facebook group that provides support for everyone participating.  There is also a group just to promote fund raisers.  And, I'll gladly help you with ideas and marketing.  You don't have to be super crafty or creative.  You just have to find a niche item that will sell.  Pinterest has a million ideas.

*You can always grab a friend or two or a group to help.  Last year, I did a dress down day at work with a raffle and made more than half of the goal that way.  People want to help kids.  People want to support you and your efforts.  You just have to ask!  

*If you don't want to choose your own child but you want to help me share fund raisers or host fund raisers (maybe you have a great idea or your own business), just let me know!!  I'll always take some extra help.

Check out all the kids on Reece's Rainbow that are five and under and see if one of them tugs at your heart strings.  Sign Ups will be at the end of the month.  

Boys 0-2 with Down Syndrome Here

Boys 3-5 with Down Syndrome Here

Girls 0-2 with Down Syndrome Here

Girls 3-5 with Down Syndrome Here

Boys 0-5 with Other Special Needs Here

Girls 0-5 with Other Special Needs Here

Keep On Keeping On

Well, Reece's Rainbow's Christmas Campaign has come and gone.  I was able to raise almost $1,700 for AJ with the help of some amazing friends and supporters.  I am so excited for this little boy's future.  I am choosing to believe that there is an amazing family out there for him and that he won't grow up in an orphanage.  He'll be home getting therapies and love and nutrition.  I have to believe that to keep on keeping on for these kids and families.

So, my next goal is to get AJ's grant to $2,500.  When he gets there, he will be put on a "sizable grant" list through Reece's Rainbow.  Hopefully that will mean more visibility for him and a family sooner, rather than later.  There is a thermometer on the right of the blog to keep you all updated on the progress to the goal.

To that end, the following fund raisers will be ongoing.

*Scarves and Skirts for Sara.  50% of each purchase from now until January 1st will go to AJ's grant.

*Plexus.  New Commissions earned each month will go to AJ's grant.  Feel free to ask questions!

*Homemade Lip Balm, Sugar Scrub, and Bath Salts.  50% of each purchase goes to AJ's grant.  Custom scents and flavors available.

*C&E Baby Blankets.  $10 of each blanket purchased will go to AJ's grant.  Just mention AJ when you place your order.

*Teacher Tired Shirts and Hoodies. Through February 16th.  

*World Down Syndrome Day Shirts.  Through March 7th.  Long sleeve tees, tshirts, ladies tees, hoodies, and mugs available.


Past Fund Raisers:
*LuLaRoe Pop-Up.  Online.  November 6-10.  Any sales made this week benefit AJ.  And LLR matches the donation of the consultants!  We raised $271!

*Ornament Sale.  Make a donation to AJ's account of $35 or more and get a Christmas ornament with his picture on it.  November 1 - December 31.

*Dress Down Day at Batavia High School - December 8th

If you are vendor of any kind and would like to host a fund raiser for AJ's grant, please let me know!  I'll always take and appreciate help.  

AJ is not even a year old!!  Imagine---he could celebrate his second birthday with is family.  He could have therapies and early intervention years before Sara did.  And LOVE!

Angel Tree Success!!!

As I'm sure you all know, I found my daughter through an organization called Reece's Rainbow.  They have a huge event every year at Christmas called Angel Tree.  I was VERY hesitant to participate.  I've always been more for supporting adopting families than waiting children.  It just makes more sense to me to pour the resources into children that have families coming than ones that are still waiting.  (That could be a whole blog post in and of itself but it's just my opinion.) 

I decided I would only participate if I could have Lene as my child.  By the time I got around to signing up, Lene was no longer available.  So, I picked Kimberley.  She's about the same age and in the same country.  I didn't feel as passionately about her but I had already come up with some good ideas for fundraising so I decided to try it.

While working to raise funds and awareness for her, I have now fallen in love with her.  I want nothing more than for her to find a family and to grow and thrive the way Sara has.  My students also worked hard to raise money for her.  At least one of them asks me almost daily if she has found her family yet.  (Someone is going to have to adopt her before they drive me crazy or their little hearts break!)  

How could I not be in love with her?  

I've decided that I will continue to raise money for her until her grant reaches $5,000!  That will put her on a different page on the Reece's Rainbow site and get her some more visibility.  Hopefully, that money will also get her a family of her very own!  I will most likely not be holding any more big fundraisers for her but I will continue to donate 50% of each item purchased from my knitting page to her grant.

With the help of a lot of different people, I was able to raise $2,084.43 for Kimberley during the months of November and December!!!  That's insane.  I was worried I wouldn't be able to get all the way to the $1,000 goal but my friends, family, and students came through in a big way.

Please don't check my math.  It won't be perfect but here are the fundraisers I had and the approximate amounts they raised:  

*Scarves and Skirts for Sara raised almost $300 for Kimberley.  Because she was over her goal, I was able to give some of the money to other children and families.

*I had a Cards for a Cause fundraiser through Usborne Books that raised over $200.

*The students in my program raised over $1,300 in a coin drive competition.

*The auction for Kimberley raised over $400.  Because she was over her AT goal at that point, some of her money was donated to Lene and Chance.

*I hosted a Paparazzi Jewelry party with my friend Emily.  We were each able to raise $50 for our girls from the actual party and about $20 went to her girl Lanie from the online party.

*The rest of the money came from online donations and ornament purchases.

I love the idea of giving back at Christmas time instead of just focusing on shopping and parties and food.  I'm glad I chose to participate and am once again blessed by the generosity of those around me.

Now, who wants a to adopt this darling little girl?  Don't you all want a "Sara" of your very own?  

Near and Dear

I don't often write posts about waiting children but, just in case you've been reading the blog and feel a tug at your heart, let me introduce you to some of the kids that are near and dear to my heart.  (All of them happen to be available to single mothers.)  

Vaughn

Boy, born January 2007

Down syndrome, otherwise reported to be healthy

What a handsome young fella!  I adore how he’s standing with his hands in his pockets.  Vaughn is already 6, and at a great age to join his forever family.  This is a great program with a wonderful agency partner.  Hope you will consider Vaughn as your son!

Seriously.  How cute is this little kid with his hands in his pockets?  He's making eye contact with the camera and standing still.  I think those are both really good signs of his development.  There isn't much info on his RR profile but I'm sure the agency has more.  I'd love to see this little guy find a family before he gets any older!  

And, the kicker?  He has $16,360 in his grant!!!  That's more than half of his adoption covered!  (Sara had $0 in her grant when I committed.)  That kind of grant is a huge blessing to his future family!  

Kimberley

Girl, born Feb 2007

Down syndrome, congenital heart disease and hypothyroidism. Mental delays.

Report dated 2010

Kimberley is predominantly cheerful.  In the orphanage the girl is described as a sociable, smiling, loving, quiet girls, who enjoys being with other persons. Her sleep is normal. She enjoys eating pretty food, so the orphanage gives her vegetables, eggs, iron, etc.. However, they still give her vitamins and avoid foods with lactose.

Her communication is usually through gestures, cries and guttural sounds.  General gross motor and fine motor delays, common for a child with Down syndrome.

She participates in group activities and plays in partnership with other children.  She is cautious with strangers but she adjusts quickly to their presence.

This is the little girl that I've been advocating and fund raising for this Christmas season.   I've worked hard to build up her grant.  I plan to continue to do so until her grant has at least $5,000 in it.  Right now, she has $4636.93!  That would be a great start for her future family.  

During the last two months, I've really come to care about this little girl.  My students raised over $1,300 and ask me regularly if she has a family yet.   (I have to find her a family or they are going to drive me crazy!)  

Lene

Lene (pronounced like Renee)

Girl, born August 2010
Down syndrome, congenital heart disease, language delay

What a doll baby!  Love her little pigtails!

Lene responds to expressions of affection from other persons. She can adapt to any social environment.

As of February 2012, her report said that the she attends therapy 3 times a week.

This is the little girl that I would go for in a heartbeat if I was in a position to adopt again.  I love this little girl so much!  She's only 3.  She be 4 or 4 1/2 when she came home if a family started right now---the same age as Sara.  I really think she'd grow and thrive in a family the way Sara has done.   I will cry lots of tears of joy when this little girl finds a family.  I just hope it isn't years from now!  

Her grant currently has $5968.75!  

Mark

Boy, Born August 2006

Down syndrome

UPDATE Nov 2013:  Mark is doing well, andd his overall health is good!!   
We did not receive any information on the treatment he received for leukemia — but GOOD HEALTH is GREAT news!!

UPDATE December 2012:   It has been determined that sweet Mark is also battling leukemia.  We are waiting for additional medical testing and details, but PLEASE pray for him and help us find his forever family!  THANK GOD for a new photo, he has grown so much!   Trying to get his new photo in a larger size, but SO glad to finally have one!   Mark is up and walking and doing SO well!   Updated info coming soon!

 This gentle boy has smooth, baby soft skin. He has dark skin and dark hair, potentially from an African/black parent. He is just darling, with a round chubby face. He was born on 8/2006. He enjoys playing with toys and with other children. His legs are rather weak so he scoots around quickly to reach his destination. He smiles brightly when he is spoken to. He waits for his loving family because he has Down syndrome. His family will be so lucky to be able to help this angel reach his fullest potential!

This poor little guy has Leukemia.  It will take a very special family to commit to him but he needs a momma so badly!  Can you imagine a poor child battling Leukemia without a mother to hold him?  It's unthinkable.  

Mark currently has a grant of 10,773.40!  A third of his adoption is already paid for.  

James

Boy, Born May 2011

Sweet baby James!   Healthy besides his Down syndrome, and waiting for his forever family.  Full medical and social history available.

This little guy was in an orphanage that I visited briefly last year.  I didn't get to meet him but just knowing he was there as drawn me to him.  He's so young!  He needs to be getting Early Intervention services to help him reach his potential!  There isn't much information on his profile but I know that his former orphanage would have provided a lot of information about him. 

James currently has $5,398.13 in his grant!  That's a lot of money to get a family started.  

All of these kids deserve and need a family!  All of these kids would make great additions to the right family.  All of these kids have lots of money committed to their adoptions already.  All of these kids have a piece of my heart.  

As we quickly fly into the Christmas season, take some time to sit and think about your family and what it looks like.  Do you have room for one more?  

Ladder Scarves for Sara

UPDATED: July 1, 2013:  I will continue to knit scarves and other items in order to benefit both waiting children and adopting families.  Check the side bar on the blog to see what child and family are benefiting this month.  50% of the selling price of each item will go to either the child or the family.  (Buyer chooses which one.)   

Sara is modeling one of the ladder scarves.  (Ignore the fact that her clothes are too small.  I had a hard time saying goodbye to the 3Ts.)  These scarves are long and light-weight.  I wear mine doubled up.  I always get compliments when I wear it.  

Find Scarves and Skirts for Sara on Facebook!

Scarves are $15 each plus $5 shipping.  $7.50 of each purchase will go to the Family or Waiting child of the month.  

Here's how it's going to work:

*Leave me a comment and let me know what color you want. I will also need an email address.

*I will make a list of those who have ordered and the order in which you placed your order.

*When your scarf is ready, I will send you an invoice.

*When you pay the invoice, I will ship your scarf.

*I will then donate half of the selling price to the Waiting Child or Adopting Family.  I will forward the email receipt to you.  

Here are samples of the color choices:

Color 2 Jade Yellow

Color 3 Sky Blue Silver

Color 4 Gold Brown Green Orange

Color 5 Lilac Red Silver

Color 6 Black White Gold Lilac

Color 7 Red Pink Black

Color 8 Gold Pink Red

Color 9 Blue Purple

Color 10 Brown Gold

#29 Light Purple Blue Yellow

#30 Grey Black with a Hint of Blue

#32 Primaries

#33 Pink Peach Blue

#35 Pink Light Blue Yellow

#36 Pinks Yellow Blue Green

#38 Pinks Aqua Yellow

#64 Black GoldSilver

#73 Red Lavender Green Yellow

#74 Blue Yellow Silver

#78 Pink Purple Orange Black

#80 Reds

#90 Hot Pink Red Brown

#101 Blue Yellow Pink Black

#103 Pastels Blue Pink with Black

#104 Pink Light Blue Black Orange

#105 Magenta Pinks Black

#106 Magentas

#108 Hunters Gold Brown

#110 Black Pink Blue Green

#111 Neons

#112 Purples Fuchsia

#113 Purple, Green, Brown

#114 Red Yellow Purple

#115 Pinks

#116 Yellow Pink Blue Green Purple

#117 Purple Orange Aqua

#118 Orange Blue Fuchsia 

#119 Blue Yellow Green

#120 Purple Blue Green

#121 Pink Purple Black

#9093 Black Purple Blue