Julie Gumm - Author

Help get this beautiful boy home!

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A couple days ago during my daily blog reading I came across the story of Davids, a 15 year old boy from Latvia, who was in urgent need of an adoptive family. It is not uncommon to see urgent pleas for a child on someone’s blog. But there was something about this particular boy that tugged at my heart. Maybe because he’s a blonde-haired, blue-eyed, LEGO-loving boy like Noah.

You can read the whole story here, but basically Davids got to come to the states last summer during an orphan host program. His host family was not able to adopt him but felt led to host him and advocate for him while he was here. Well last July they had a family commit to adopt him and they thought things were proceeding normally. Davids was told (and was ecstatic) but just days ago it was discovered that this family was backing out of the adoption.

The seemingly insurmountable obstacle was that Davids only had until Jan. 23rd to have a homestudy-ready family commit to adopt him and get an I-800 filed. On the 23rd he turns 16 and he is no longer adoptable – giving him a bleak future.

But PRAISE GOD that in just the last couple of days as Davids story has made the rounds of Facebook and blogs, a family has BEEN FOUND.

There remains just ONE obstacle – funds. Even with some fees being waived this amazing Christian family is going to need $15,000-20,000 to complete the adoption.

Project Hopeful has agreed to allow TAX DEDUCTIBLE donations for Davids’ adoption. Just REMEMBER to put DAVIDS in the comments box so this money goes directly into HIS fund! I’m personally familiar with Project Hopeful and they are a completely trustworthy organization. Be assured that your money WILL get to this adoptive family.

Will you consider donating? Even just $5 – it all adds up as Davids’ story is told. Yesterday alone $1,000 was raised.

It is obvious to me that God has an amazing plan for this young boy and you get to be a part of it by giving.

Please also repost to your blog and Facebook if you feel led.

Update: As of about 8:30 a.m. this morning the fund has reached $4,000 – what a blessing! Keep it going!

1pm Update: Donations are just over $8,000!!! Go God!

8 pm update: $10,000 raised in just 24 hours. A miracle! About another $6,00o is still needed.

Updated 1/14: Here’s a link to the family that is adopting Davids (and another boy from Latvia).

Creative Adoption Fundraising

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Those of you who have been here for any length of time know that I have two “causes” I am passionate about (outside Christ, my family etc). That is orphans and living debt free.

When Mark and I adopted in 2008 we committed to complete the adoption debt free – the same way we had been living our life since 2000. At first I wasn’t so sure it could be done, but God used good old Dave Ramsey teach me something, again.

When I talk to people considering adoption one of the first fears they vocalize is the financial aspect. “We’re not sure how we can afford it.”

But the truth is that along with grants and tax credits there are a ton of really creative ways that families can raise money for their adoptions.

Sooooo (drumroll please) I’m actually working on a book on How to Pay For Your Adoption (that’s just the working title). I’ve been SLOWLY working on it for a year but I’ve got a fire lit under me now.

I’ve also come to the part where I need your help.

I’m looking for real life examples of fundraisers that adoptive families have done, including as much detail as you want to give me and how much money you raised. Garage sales, coffee beans, jewelry, spaghetti dinners, etc – I want to hear about all of it. Even if you think “oh, I’m sure somebody already submitted that idea” I still want to hear from you. Who knows maybe you’ve raised WAY more money doing it then the other person.

I also want to hear about any other ways you helped pay for your adoption – second jobs, employer credits, etc.

All you need to do is FILL OUT THIS FORM.

As I collect the ideas I’ll be choosing families to showcase in the book as examples. At that time I’ll contact you to get more details as well as hear a little bit more about your story.

I would love it too if you would spread the word – Facebook, Tweet (you can use the “Share the Love” icons above) or even mention it on your blog.

Thanks!