What a wonderful, crazy start to the year it has been for Adoption Network Cleveland and our fund raising efforts!

Our fiscal year begins in October so for the Development Office that is the beginning of our “year.” And it always kicks off with our November mailing. This mailing is a chance for us to share a story of how your support has directly impacted someone or some family.

Each time the donations start coming in I am continually blown away by the generosity of our supporters. With each gift, you are saying that you value the work we do enough to give us some of your hard-earned dollars to support the families and youth who are touched by adoption and foster care. And this year’s generosity was so much more than we expected – thank you!

And then the launch and successful completion of the Groupon fundraising campaign in just four hours! What made this campaign unique was that not only was it time sensitive (we had three days to raise a minimum of $360) but it was also all done via social media. We had to rely on the word of mouth of our members and those on our email list. And your commitment to those we serve was evident the moment those numbers starting ticking up around 8 a.m. on the first day. And the gifts kept coming in even after the goal was met. In the end we raised over $1,000 – all of which will go toward a fabulous slumber party for 12 girls who otherwise may not have ever experienced this teenage rite of passage. 

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” 
                                                                                                     -Winston Churchill

I think that quote best sums up what the support of our donors means to the families and youth who are helped through Adoption Network Cleveland. Our families, youth, adult adoptees and birthparents get important questions answered, make life-long connections and find a community that understands their unique needs. They add pieces to their lives that were missing before and our donors become a part of the fabric of those lives through their support; even though they may never meet that birthmother who has reunited with her birthchild or that 16-year-old girl who joins a forever family – nevertheless, a life has been made.

So, thank you again for all that you do and for all you have done. We couldn’t do it without you!