It is 7,500 miles from here to Ethiopia. In this land once ruled by kings I search for two special children with eyes like mine. Join me as I take this long walk down the path of international adoption. There are sure to be twist and turns, some hills and some valleys, some laughter and some tears before I reach the destination.
Showing posts with label Fundraising and Gift Ideas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fundraising and Gift Ideas. Show all posts
I like to add unique finds to the blog. I saw this today and thought it was a really interesting concept. It's called Yoon Kids. You pick the artwork of children and then you can choose their hair color, skin color, and background. The pictures are a little expensive but check it out.
I believed this was my journey and that I needed to do it alone, so I've hesitated in hosting a fundraiser or asking for help from others through this process. The word of God says that we have not because we ask not so I am asking you to support this mission through giving.
Shop 'Til You Drop - Use any of the shopping links found on the right-hand side. A percentage of all sales goes to the adoption fund.
Financial Donations - Accepted through ChipIn. You can use the link or the red chip box below. ChipIn uses PayPal and donations can be in the form of check or credit card. Click to ChipIn!
To get a better understanding of the adoption cost they include agency fees, government processing fees, fees to support the orphanage in Ethiopia. Also included is the trip to see the children before the adoption is final and a second trip to bring them home. Below are the approximate costs.
===================================================== ADOPTION EXPENSES Those that are bold itemized figures have been paid.
$ 400 ~ Medical Examinations $ 800 ~ Immigrant Visa Fees $ 40 ~ Visa photos $ 70 ~ Ethiopian Passports
$29,450 Total Estimated Cost =================================================
LEAVE of ABSENCE The agency has a requirement that you stay home with the children for the first 12 weeks. Being self-employed I will not get the benefit of paid vacation time or family leave. I will lose about 3-months of income through the process.
There are hundreds of stores to choose from. Charity Blast will donate a portion of EVERY purchase you make at online stores like Target, Best Buy, Gap, Old Navy, Staples and more to the adoption at no additional cost to you. By shopping through Charity Blast you save money on your purchases and contribute to the cause. You can also use any of the shopping links listed below. Or If you know anyone who does a lot of online shopping send them the link.
If you are looking for your own fundraiser, try this! Fast Track Fundraising offers great fundraising ideas and tips whether it’s for your adoption, your church, or just trying to help out local youth groups.
You can sign up with Fast Track Fundraising for FREE. They have a lot of good ideas, like an online donation site and a Christmas bag fundraiser.
MyGiftList offers a FREE, private, Universal Gift Registry™ With MyGiftList you can let everyone know what you want and need the most.
Create a wish list for your own special occasion. An adoption, wedding, anniversary, birthday, or baby shower registry.
Create a wish list to keep track of gifts you give to special people throughout the year.
Use for any gift giving occasion whether you are the gift giver or receiver.
Easy to set-up, easy to use, and its FREE.
Never forget an important occasion or purchase an unwanted or duplicate gift. Click here to take a TOUR! To Get Started: Create a personal, private gift registry of the gifts you would like to receive. Specify an occasion or a gift giver. Use the links below.
Sign-Up Now
Create A List - From the Shop & Support List
You decide who views the items on your gift registry.
Identify friends and family members who you want to purchase gifts from your gift registry. Also include the people you shop for so that they will set up their own gift registry and share their gift wishes with you.
Once your list is set-up, use our handy reminders to keep track of important dates and your to-do list.
Go to my Charity Blast, pick from hundreds of stores. When you find items you would like to receive, copy and best the website page URL into your list. It automatically enters the information into your gift registry. You can also choose gift selections directly from the Shop & Support list on the right.
Get your friends and relatives to create a gift registry and make gift shopping easier.
You'll wonder how you ever managed all of the special occasions in your life before using our services. The MyGiftList gift registry helps you give the perfect gift, every time.
FUNDRAISER:: So how does this work as a fundraiser? You sign up to create a gift list for FREE. Create your gift list using Charity Blast or from the Shop & Supportlist on the right. Then send your list to all your friends and family. Encourage them to create their own wish list. When gift items are purchased through your gift list a small percentage is contributed to the adoption fund.
Does anybody remember the old song by Shirley Caesar, "No Charge?" My mother loved that song and she enjoyed singing it to me to let me know exactly where I stood.
For the nine months I carried you, for the nights I sat up with you, doctored and prayed for you NO CHARGE. For the time and tears and the costs through the years. There is NO CHARGE.
If my mother were still here I know that she would say that there are some things that you just can't put a price tag on. This adoption is one of them. But if you haven't heard the adoption agencies do charge for their services. I've added up the costs to see just how much it will take to get the kids home and snuggled in their beds on that first night.
Here is the Adoption Breakdown Drum roll please...
I am doing everything possible to minimize my cost and still it's a big hurdle to get over.
My first thought was to raid the trust fund and then I remembered I didn't have one.
I called my rich aunt, my rich uncle and Oprah but none of them answered the phone.
I tried to cash in on my good looks and that got me a buy-one-get-one-free coupon.
It's Time for a Fundraiser: After much thought I have decided to try several online fundraisers. Keep checking the site. I will be adding a link for monetary donations, several retail and gift sites where you make purchases and a percentage goes straight into the adoption fund.
Gifts that Keep Giving: I am also adding a gift wish list registry. I'm excited about this one. You create a gift registry and choose items that you want for your birthday, wedding, baby shower, or just because. Send the wish list to your friends and family. They buy you the gifts you want and a small percentage goes towards the adoption.
