Support Gift of Adoption with your United Way or CFC giving

Fall United Way and Combined Federal Campaigns are getting underway around the country. Don't forget Gift of Adoption as you make your designations. These programs are great ways to show your support of GOA year-round and make it possible for more children to become adopted. 


You can direct your United Way gift to Gift of Adoption!  Just write in Gift of Adoption (FEIN 39-1863217) on your pledge card.

Federal or state employees can make payroll gifts through the CFC. Simply complete a pledge card indicating Gift 
of Adoption (CFC #95108) as your designee.


http://www.giftofadoption.org/donate/waysToGiveUW.html

If your workplace has a UW or CFC campaign, please consider hanging our flyers to help spread he word!

The Amazing Journey of Samuel and Asher

Gift of Adoption helped fund the adoption of its first Hollywood movie stars and we're making headlines!

From an Ethiopian orphanage to a movie set starring as Jennifer Lopez’s son in the movie "What to Expect When You're Expecting," it's been one amazing year for the Howard family. When they turned to Gift of Adoption to help fund the adoption of their twin infant sons from an Ethiopian orphanage, the consensus was they were lucky to be alive. They could have never dreamed that less than 14 months later, their twin boys would be healthy, happy and on a movie set starring with Jennifer Lopez.

Check out the incredible journey of Samuel and Asher Howard below and see how Gift of Adoption helped give these boys a life they otherwise may not have known.

Help us spread the word. "Like," Tweet and share these stories with your friends!

The Insider follows Samuel and Asher to the "What to Expect" premiere:

Watch the video of Entertainment Tonight's exclusive ride-along with the Howard's on their way to the boys' first glamorous red carpet premiere and to hear the family's heartwarming "miracle" adoption story:

People Magazine Online - Read the full article here.

From An Ethiopian Orphanage Into Jennifer Lopez' Arms (HuffingtonPost)

Continue following Samuel and Asher's story on their family's blog: http://oursammyandasher.com/

Birdies for Tampa Bay Charities and Transitions Championship Honor Gary Koch with Donation to Gift of Adoption Fund

Transitions Championship recognized Gary Koch for all the work he's done for the Transitions tournament by designating a significant donation to the charity of his choice. Gary, a longtime supporter of the Gift of Adoption Fund, directed the donation to the Florida Chapter of Gift of Adoption.

“We are immensely grateful for the generosity and longstanding commitment Gary has shown Gift of Adoption. Whether taking on the role of Honorary Chair for our signature event, donating golf foursomes and expertise, or making a significant personal gift, these acts of kindness have directly benefited children in need who are now loved by a family who has got them forever,” shared Pam Devereux, Gift of Adoption CEO.

Meet Aubrey and Amber

Aubrey, an 8-year-old girls living in an orphanage in southeastern China, was in the process of being adopted and planned to come home to her new family in later 2011. But along the way, plans changed. Rob and Shawnee, a couple living in Kentucky who had already adopted two children, were planning on fundraising in fall of 2011 in order to afford the adoption of Aubrey, when they were asked to advocate for 14-year-old Amber who was about to age out of the Chinese orphanage system. Instead of just advocating for her, the couple decided that they would adopt both Amber and Aubrey, and so had to rush through the adoption process before Amber aged-out.

The quickness of the adoption meant the girls had to suddenly adjust to new people, new routines and a new culture. At first, this was especially difficult for Amber, who had spent such a long time in her orphanage in China. Aubrey had an easier time with the process and Shawnee shares that Aubrey “is utterly thrilled with her adoption”

Since arriving in their new home, both girls have felt more and more at home. Shawnee says, “now that [Amber] is in her new home with her family, she seems to be accepting her lot. She loves to sing and has shown me many photos of her in music groups during her growing up years. She starts middle school next Thursday and is scheduled to take a choral class, which makes her very happy.” Aubrey also doing great and “is a ray of sunshine, sweet, affectionate, smart, and so hard-working and helpful that we often have to ask her to stop helping!”

Both girls still face several challenges. Amber has heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis and Aubrey has ataxic cerebral palsy, pronounced, visual tracking problems, speech impairment and serious dental problems. But their new family is already working to get them the medical treatment they need A grant from Gift of Adoption funded by donations in memory of Maggie Bevenour made this trip possible – giving Amber and Aubrey a permanent family and a chance to thrive. The couple promised, “We will be their family forever. They will never ‘age out’ of our family.”

A Love Beyond Boundaries

"I believe in adoption because of its intentionality; because of how it changes lives; because of the way it puts skin and bones, laughter and tears on the whole idea of hope."

The above quote is an excerpt from the The January 7th, 2012 installment of "This I Believe" - a beautifully written piece about adoption by Brian Schoeni.

The entire essay can be read or heard here and reminds us that, "...adoption isn’t a perfect fit for every parent-to-be. But I do believe this: adoption is a perfect fit for every kid in every corner of our world who needs the love of a family.