Development Update
Gala 2012!
Plans are underway for Adoption Associates’ Change a Life—Change the World 2012 Gala. We are still on a high from that magical September evening when Bruce Wilkinson inspired us to enlarge our territories. We heard his challenge and we are faithfully seeking opportunity in our agency to do more good in the lives of children and birth mothers. So what will 2012 hold for our gala? We are close to choosing a speaker and a date. You all will be the first to know!
We invite you to consider how you might contribute to this night. There are many ways to become engaged. Here are just a few:
Volunteer to be on the committee.
Become a table host (responsible for filling a table of 10).
Become an in-kind donor (Do you own a floral business? A print shop? Any item-donation that could enhance our evening would be most appreciated!)
Become an underwriter of the event. It is our goal to have expenses paid for prior to the event so that all money raised that night will go directly to our causes.
Plan to attend and share the updates on your facebook page!
Young Boy Donates Matchbox Collection to Children in Africa
We were very moved by the generosity of a young boy this past December. Ten-year-old Parker was in church listening to a sermon about the plight of orphans in Africa. He decided that he wanted to do something about it. So he gathered his matchbox car collection and saw to it that they got delivered to needy children in Africa. He came with his dad (his parents knew of our agency) and gave the cars to our Ethiopia Program Manager who will pass them onto families traveling soon. They will be brought to an orphanage there. We are so grateful for all of our donors—whether it’s monetary, time or in-kind dontations. But it’s especially meaningful to watch a child’s heart be moved to such action. Thank you Parker!
Bottles for Babies
The Bottles for Babies program is an opportunity for children to become engaged with the needs of children in Ethiopia. It’s also a great fundraiser that funds formula and other food to orphanages from where many of our African children come. Children see a presentation by one of our staff people and are given a baby bottle. They are encouraged to do chores to earn coins or cash to fill their bottles. This fall we raised close to $600 from just two classrooms in the Zeeland area (Woodbridge Elementary School).
We are seeking the following for this impacting fundraiser!
Adopting Parents who are interested in presenting the program to schools or Sunday School classes along with their adoptive children. It makes a tremendous impact! Any friend of AAI who would be willing to present the program to schools or church groups with which they are affiliated. Contact information on any teachers, school officials, or Children’s Ministry Directors who would be open to AAI presenting the program in their classrooms.
We feel there is a lot of potential for this program, but we are in need of new opportunities to grow this program. We feel that doing the program in November ties in nicely with National Adoption Month and Thanksgiving—but we would be grateful for help any time of the year.
Contact Mary Zoet for more information and with opportunities: 616.667.0677 or mzoet@adoptionassociates.net.
Welcome Nicole Racine—Director of Fund Development and Outreach
We are happy to announce that we have hired a new marketing and fundraising director in the Lansing area who has deep connections in both the Detroit and Lansing areas. She is an adoptive mother and a former attorney. She has a deep passion for the work we do at Adoption Associates and will be a tremendous asset to us as we continue to seek out new donors, families and supporters of our mission. Nicole has many exciting projects planned for the year to engage new donors and build community amongst AAI friends and families! Stay tuned for more updates!
