National Adoption Month CHALLENGE Results

During the month of November we challenged everybody in the AAI family to think of ways they could (1) promote adoption and (2) give back to organizations that advocate for the orphaned child. We are pleased to share that many AAI families stepped up to the plate with wonderful results! Earlier this month we shared some of your great ideas. Here are some others.

*Bryana and Jodi Slaback shared, "On Nov. 6 I presented the Operation Christmas Child project through Samaritan's Purse to my church. It is going well and shoe boxes with gifts for needy children around the world are already coming in. We will take our two adopted boys (Guatemala and Ethiopia) shopping to fill a shoe box each for boys their age. They love it and it raises awareness of needs around the world and challenges them to give out of their own wishes of what they would like to receive themselves."

*Tiffany Bryner made a display at the public library in Sitka, Alaska where she is employed.

*An AAI family shared, "Every time I shop at Costco I purchase a can of formula to take with us..(I shop there a lot with my brood). I have asked and encouraged my friends to do the same."

*AAI Counselor Marilyn Weaver took part in an adoption conference at a church in the Tri Cities on November 4. She spoke in a breakout session on homestudies. The theme she chose was “The Homestudy is the Heart of Adoption.” She referred to AAI and passed out information about our agency.

*Carol Gilliom shared, "Every year, including this year in October, my daughter Anna Gilliom (16 years old now), and I talk with all 80 students in the 7th grade at our local school about adoption. We talk about how Anna came from India as an infant, what adoption means to our family, and about Indian culture. We give our talk in the Social Studies classes during their unit on India."

*An AAI parent shared, "I am also going to a third grade class where some of my friends children go and I am speaking on adoption. The class is going to ask parents to donate needed items for our upcoming trip."
*Kris Adam helped raise funds for plane tickets, etc, for a family in her church that is adopting 3 children from Ethiopia. Everything she sells until mid Dec. goes directly to their fees. Kris states, "I am making necklace charms and ornaments. I know it won't be much, but every drop in the bucket helps!"

*Gina MacConnell purchased 100 devotionals about adoptions from Show Hope and has been handing them out to anyone who shows interested in adoption.

*One AAI Parent shared, "We are hosting a Adoption Info Meeting and a Help Us Fill Our Suitcase Party before we leave for our court trip in December. My plan is to have empty suitcases at our front door as our guests arrive(I have sent out a list of the things that AAI in Ethiopia needs). I am going to show the Cry of the Orphan video and have informational materials available."

*Several AAI families ate very simply the week before Thanksgiving, then donating the money they saved on food to various programs at AAI.

Thanks to ALL who participated this year, and shared your activities with us!