Donation Opportunities
AAI is celebrating 20 years!
We are seeking volunteers to become special Friends of Adoption Associates by serving on one or several of our special event committees. Please contact Judie Zylman, development associate, at jzylman@adoptionassociates.net.
Change a Life–Change the World 2009 update
From all of us here at AAI, we would like to say THANK YOU to everyone who made this year’s Change a Life—Change the World banquet a success! We are so grateful to sponsors, to those who attended the banquet, and to those who made the banquet possible; with your support, we can bring even more children home to their forever families and continue funding other AAI services both here and abroad. Held December 5 at the Prince Conference Center at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI, the evening included fine dining, a video on getting involved in our overseas humanitarian efforts, an auction, and more. By the end of the evening, approximately $32,500 had been raised for AAI.
Thank you to all!
School participants needed for Baby Bottles for Ethiopia fundraiser
In 2009, second-graders in four Michigan schools and districts brought baby bottles home to their families, asked their families to drop extra change into the bottle—and raised nearly $2,500 for Ethiopian orphanages!
Besides learning the value of giving, the children at Zeeland Christian Schools, Zeeland Public Schools, Hudsonville Christian School, and Calvin Christian School learned about life in Ethiopia, African culture and about children across the globe. This year, AAI is hoping to get more schools involved with this educational program that helps children help other children. Brochures are set to be designed and distributed to local schools in the coming months.
Do you know of a school that might be interested in participating in this program? Please let us know!
Looking ahead: 2010 events (including our 20th anniversary!)
This year, we’re celebrating two decades of uniting children with their forever families, improving orphanages around the world, and working with pregnant women to help them choose a wonderful future for their unborn babies. We’ve been coordinating domestic adoptions since our inception, and we have united children from across the globe with loving families for the past 16 years. With more than 4,000 children placed to date, we now look forward to uniting more children with their forever families than ever before.
No ship can sail alone, and here at AAI, that means one thing: We need you! Not only does your support help us to continue our mission, but we want your feedback and suggestions. Our events are for you, so tell us what you’d like to see! Volunteer committees are forming now, and anyone who would like to be on a Special Friend of AAI committee is encouraged to call us at 1.800.677.2367.
Anniversary party details are forming now
Having begun in 1990, AAI is looking to plan a 20th anniversary event for all families, supporters, and friends of the agency. A target date is July 31, and whether the event will be a carnival, indoor festival, or something else, one thing is for sure—the day will be all about families. Associates are undecided on whether to host parties in each of AAI’s locations or to host one large party in Lansing. What would you like to see happen? Let us know!
Volunteers needed for planning of June Golf Outing/Walk/Run
Your golf clubs and running shoes may be packed in the closet right now, but that doesn’t mean it’s too early to think about putting them to use again! AAI will be fundraising through a golf outing or walk/run this summer, and we’re looking for input from you on what you’d like to do. If you’d prefer a certain golf course, would rather walk a path at your favorite park or have any other ideas, let us know! Our events are for you, our supporters, and we always want to know what you would like to see happen. Volunteers are needed to help plan our June fundraiser, and anyone interested is urged to call 1.800.677.2367 or e-mail Judie Zylman, development associate, jzylman@adoptionassociates.net.
Committees are forming now!
Change a Life–Change the World banquet 2010
With 2009 just a few months behind us, we are already looking forward to the 2010 Change a Life—Change the World banquet. We are looking for a new venue, new and more auction items, and increased sponsorships. We’d love to have you lend a hand with this year’s banquet. Please call 1.800.677.2367. Thank you for supporting our mission!
