Affording Adoption
Creative adoption fundraisers yield amazing results for family
An annual heritage parade at Heritage Camp is what moved Lisa and Jackson, already parents of two children by birth, to open their hearts to adoption. Each year, this parade of nations visualizes the beauty of an abundance of cultures, marched in by 400 to 500 children who are adopted internationally. It is here that Lisa was moved to consider adoption for her own family.
A Family’s Heritage
When close friends from their children’s school recommended Adoption Associates, Inc., Jackson and Lisa looked further into the agency’s programs. The choice to adopt internationally seemed almost inevitable.
“We always knew that if we adopted, it would be international. My husband’s heritage is Ukrainian, and that’s one part of his heritage he’s very proud of,” says Lisa. “And three summers ago, we hosted a chaperone for a Belarus program. She taught my husband and I to read and write in Russian. God had prepared us for Russia, and that summer, we started the paperwork.”
Expecting the Unexpected
Through AAI’s Hosts of Hope program, Lisa and Jackson hosted a six year old boy in the summer of 2008 at the suggestion of their consultant. When the hosting was over, however, the couple had come to a surprising conclusion; he was not a good fit for their family, which included a 12 year old son and 10 year old daughter. Jackson and Lisa instead proceeded with the adoption of an eight year old boy, Daniil, who they found out about because of his participation in the 2007 Hosts of Hope program.
“It was kind of a roller coaster ride, but it had to happen the way it did,” says Lisa. “There were so many U-turns and potholes, but now we have a son because of it!”
Getting Creative
The expense of expanding their family seemed daunting, but nonetheless, Jackson and Lisa knew they were being called to adopt.
“From a faith standpoint, it was just kind of a stepping out and trusting that God would provide when we needed it,” says Lisa. “And God did provide, always in just the right amount.”
To speed along the funding process, Lisa and Jackson put their heads together and began brainstorming. Before long, three creative fundraising ideas were formulating. With a bit of luck and plenty of fun work, the family hosted the fundraisers.
“My husband is a runner: he’s run a few marathons, and he coaches cross country and track,” says Lisa. “So we did a non-run Run. We put together a race flyer, and people would donate as if they would run. The first level was a 5K, the second a 10K, and on up to a marathon. Some people got really creative, and for the amount, they had down ‘Ironman!’”
A post-race party, complete with food, donated prizes, games and more, ended on a sweet note: At the end of the day, Jackson and Lisa had raised $12,000.
A New Son At Last
With two more fundraisers—a pancake breakfast that had garnered $3,000 and a night at Buffalo Wild Wings that brought in $500—and additional donations from family and friends, the family knew that their adoption costs were within their reach. They had received a total of $23,000!
In March of 2009, Lisa and Jackson took a second trip to Russia, knowing they would return home with the newest addition to their family. Although the trip was long—they spent three weeks in a hotel—Lisa says she and Jackson were blessed to have Daniil with them.
Picture Perfect
Less than six months later, the new family of five is spending time together, learning together and enjoying everyday life. Art, in particular, plays a big role within the family.
“My stepmom is an artist, and she has art shows that they [the children] participate in,” says Lisa. “She has them draw pictures on old schoolchairs, and then she paints them. Daniil is an incredible artist for sure. He drew a picture of Sponge Bob the other day that looked just like Sponge Bob!” Daniil also recently sewed a dragon puppet with his grandma that he designed.
Russian art, along with Russian food, culture, and more, will also play an important part in the family’s life.
“We certainly plan to have books and music, and to talk about Russia,” say Lisa.
And someday soon—in the very way Lisa was moved to begin with—Daniil will participate in the heritage parade.
Stepping In Faith
In spite of the expenses associated with international adoption, Lisa says their faith in God helped her family through.
“There was a scripture I found to be very encouraging through the process,” says Lisa. “It’s Ezekiel 34:26: ‘I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing.’ And God did provide.”
For More Information
Call 616.667.0921, visit our Russia Adoption or Hosts of Hope web pages, or request a free adoption information packet for more information on these programs.
For more information on grants, loans, tax credits, and other fundraising programs that are available to adopting families, visit our Adoption Funding web page.
