Donation Opportunities
Learn how to support the mission of Adoption Associates, Inc.
As the former executive director of a Christian camp, Mike Carroll knows the importance of bringing support to something he believes in. When he and his wife adopted a little girl, Jade, from China in June of 2008, Mike soon felt his heart being led toward something new. On November 10, 2008, Mike joined the team at Adoption Associates, Inc., as its Chief Development Officer.
“I felt like it was through the whole adoption process that God laid adoption in my heart,” he says.
Goals and Ideas
Today, Mike is helping Adoption Associates, Inc. to increase the amount of funds and friends raised each year, as well as to raise public awareness of both adoption and the agency.
“My goals each day are to develop meaningful relationships with past adoptive families and with past and potential donors, and to center my daily activities around those things,” says Mike. “I meet with lots of families, business owners, foundations and churches, to increase the heartfelt buy-in to the mission of Adoption Associates, Inc.…to connect orphans with families.”
Toward the Passion of Adoption
Mike says the contagious positive energy surrounding Adoption Associates, Inc. drew him to it. “The spirit of the people here is really good, and everyone believes in our underlying mission,” he says. “The staff of Adoption Associates has a real passion for adoption.”
Planning Events in the New Year
In looking forward into 2009, Mike says many new events are planned, in addition to annual gatherings. Volunteer and financial support from friends of Adoption Associates, Inc. is more important than ever this year, due to the increased funding needs of overseas humanitarian aid projects, orphanage support, child sponsorships, and operational expenses.
Whether formulating fresh ideas or putting together the final pieces of an idea already in place, Mike has been hard at work.
Brand-new events in the works for this year include Coffee and Dessert Nights, a silent live auction, a RAFA Bike Ride, a Family Fun Day featuring Michigan’s longest banana split and a Harvest Festival. Also in the works are an Open House at Adoption Associates, Inc.’s Jenison office, a Wear Your Jeans to Work Day, and a Christmas Tree Decorating Gala. Watch Adoption Associates, Inc.’s web site for details.
Coffee and Dessert Nights will encompass gatherings of invited couples to the home of a past adoptive family, during which adoption and opportunities to get involved at Adoption Associates, Inc. will be discussed. Gatherings will take place in each city where an Adoption Associates, Inc. office is located. The Raising Awareness For Adoption (RAFA) Bike Ride will invite biking enthusiasts to take to the pedals and gather pledges from family, friends, coworkers and businesses. Consisting of a multi-day ride across the state of Michigan, riders will also stop in various cities along the way to complete service projects, so that communities may also benefit from their efforts. Families, companies, individuals, and churches are all encouraged to participate with the ride’s proceeds benefitting Adoption Associates, Inc.
The Open House at Adoption Associates, Inc.’s Jenison office will welcome anyone and everyone for an evening filled with information about adoption, food, giveaways and more. Wear Your Jeans to Work Day will encourage businesses across Michigan to play it casual for a day, all the while educating employees about Adoption Associates, Inc. through brochures and pamphlets in their break rooms. In December, Adoption Associates, Inc. will host its first annual Christmas Tree Decorating Gala, for which businesses will decorate trees that will be displayed at the Gala. During the Gala, attendees can bid on various trees and all proceeds will benefit Adoption Associates, Inc.
In addition to these new events, Adoption Associates, Inc.’s annual golf outing is scheduled to take place in August. The Children’s Benefit Banquet is planned once again in honor of National Adoption Awareness Month in November.
A Fresh Outlook
With a busy year ahead and despite the challenge of fundraising in a tough economy, Mike says he is excited to take things to the next level.
“I’ve also been able to present some fundraising ideas to realtors, car dealerships, and the manufacturing sector that have been very well received,” he says. “Hopefully, the fruits of our efforts will be donations received, volunteers to work at events, prayer support, and awareness spread by word of mouth.”
For More Information
For more information about the Adoption Associates, Inc. fundraising events taking place in 2009 (or to meet with Mike over a cup of coffee) call 616.667.0677 or email mcarroll@adoptionassociates.net.
