THANK YOU!
Thank you for making the financial commitment to help these children in need. Without you, this walk-a-thon wouldn't do much good.
I can't say it enough; these are truly children in desperate need of finding homes now. Your willingness to provide just one donation could literally be the difference between a child coming home to a family, or getting locked into an institution, never to been seen again.
There are beautiful people on this earth that have been blessed with the hearts to adopt children with special needs.
There are beautiful people on this earth that have been blessed to be able to financially contribute to help those families.
Both sets of people are making a difference in this world.
Ending the crisis in the Middle East? That's a hard problem to solve.
Ending the orphan crisis throughout the world? That one is easy. Just do something to help.
And you are. So again, thank you.
Some Q&A:
WHERE WILL MY MONEY GO?
100% of the money raised will be sent to Reece's Rainbow. This organization sets up grant accounts for children with Down's Syndrome and other special needs. The purpose of the grant is to help defray any costs associated with the adoption of each child. Some of the children already have families in the process of adopting; they are waiting for their new families to be able to raise enough money (usually around $30,000) to come and get them. Others do not yet have family commitments; these children will have the grant ready and waiting, so that when a family commits to bringing the child home, it will be available to help with the adoption costs.
IS MY MONEY BEING SENT TO ANOTHER COUNTRY?
No, all money raised will be sent to Reece's Rainbow, an AMERICAN organization. The money will be granted to children in the program (essentially, attached to their account.) If an American family chooses to adopt the child, the family benefits because it helps pay for the adoption costs. If a child's account has $5000, and a family has to come up with $25000 to complete the adoption, the family can use the money in the child's account to put toward that $25000. The more we raise, the more families will benefit.
WHY ARE THESE PARTICULAR CHILDREN CONSIDERED "AT RISK?"
This fundraiser will raise monies specifically for the children who are at risk of aging out of their orphanages. Once that happens, they are transferred to institutions, where they will remain for life. Some may still be adoptable from the institution, but many will never be seen again. Sadly, institution conditions are such that children who are otherwise healthy (beyond their diagnosed condition) quickly become very sick. They do not receive the stimulation or attention their brains need to develop, and many die, alone and without ever having even had a chance at life.
ARE THEY MENTALLY ILL AND IN NEED OF INSTITUTIONS?
Absolutely not. These are not kids that have dangerous tendencies, needing to be locked away for the safety of society. Many of the children were abandoned at birth simply because of their appearances. Unlike in the US, there are not resources available to help families of children born with congenital defects. They don't have early intervention programs like we have; kids here can thrive with the exact same diagnoses as these children.
WHO IS HOSTING THIS WALK-A-THON?
My name is Sarah White. I'm a mom of three, with a heart for many more. I'm impassioned about this cause; hopefully someday I'll bring home a few children to join our family. Until that is a possibility, I will do whatever I can to help other families bring their rainbow babies home.
I'D LIKE TO DONATE, BUT I DON'T KNOW ANY PARTICIPANTS.
If you would like to donate to the Five Thousand Footsteps Walk-A-Thon but do not know anyone walking, please send an email to fivethousandfootsteps@gmail.com I am participating in the walk-a-thon and would be happy to have your pledge!
If you do not want to sponsor a walker but would like to donate to the cause, email me and I will give you information on how to do so. Every penny counts!
Alternatively, you can connect directly to Reece's Rainbow to view the children in need, and you can donate directly to the site.
