Sponsor a Foster Child for Christmas

The Davidson County Department of Children’s Services in partnership with Matthew Walker Health Center is pleased to announce the annual Foster Child Christmas Program for 2009. With the donations of toys and clothes from generous sponsors like you, the foster children in Davidson County will be able to have gifts under the tree at Christmas just like other boys and girls. A gift card is a wonderful alternative, and they are very popular with children, especially teens.

It’s difficult to imagine, we know, but having new toys and clothes that belong to them is a new experience for many children in foster care.

The children in foster care include children from newborn to 18 years. The children live in a variety of placements and will be unable to spend the Christmas holiday with their families. Your gifts mean so much to the children who receive them. For some, this year may be the first time in their lives to have a real Christmas.

The process of becoming a sponsor is simple. We will provide wish lists from a foster child. You have the option to sponsor as many children as you would like. Please donate items that are new, either unwrapped or in gift bags and please attach a copy of the child’s wish list to the gifts. Matthew Walker Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit agency so your donations are 100% tax deductible. We will begin accepting donations in November through December 15. We will deliver the gifts to the children as they are received; the last gifts will be delivered on Saturday, December 19th.

If possible, we ask that you drop donations off at our designated donation center located at 1242 Foster Avenue, Nashville, TN 37210. This building is located across the street from the Nashville School of the Arts. Please call us before dropping off gifts so that we can plan to be at the drop off site. Directions are available.

Last year, thanks to your generosity and open hearts of our sponsors, we provided gifts and toys to over 800 children. If you are interested in sponsoring a child (ren) or if you would like additional information, please contact us. There is no way to predict what a lasting influence your gift may have on a foster child. We are very grateful for your support, and we thank you.

If you are interested in making a difference in the life of a child this Christmas, please contact the Davidson County Christmas Committee

Ann Brooks -- 615-253-3290 or 253-3311

Dana Eskridge--615-253-3308 or 289-6243

Rees Greenman--615-253-3311 or 332-4774

Transracial Adoption Webinar!

Register here to join and receive great insight and information from author and speaker, Rhonda M. Roorda, M.A. She is a transracial adoptee herself and has a wealth of infomation to share!

You do not have to be available to listen on the day of the webinar, December 8. If you register now, they will send you a reminder of the event, THEN after the event, they will send you a thank you for participating and a link to listen to it again. That way, you can just listen when it is convenient for you.

HOW DOES YOUR LIFE SING?!

FORMER CHILD SOLDIERS. GIRLS WHO HAVE BEEN RAPED AT THE AGE OF TEN YEARS OLD. CHILDREN ABDUCTED BY REBELS AND FORCED TO KILL THEIR PARENTS.

For these children in Africa, violence has stolen their Song. but you can SING! for them. Through a trauma and peace-building program of art, dance, drama, and music therapy, eXile international exists to bring hope and healing to the war affected children of Congo and Eastern Africa. We invite you to join our team at eXile international.

Beginning at only $7 a month, you can help us bring them a sense of Peace that the years of Violence have stolen from their childhood.

SING from eXile international on Vimeo.

Adoption fundraiser purchases make such meaningful Christmas gifts!!!

Check out this one---

Enjoy top-quality products from currentfun.com.
Choose from a variety of cards, gift wrap, home decor,kitchen gadgets, candy and treats, even popular magazine subscriptions.Buy 1 get 1 free deals.

http://currentfun.com then click on "shop now" (Link is also located on our blog)

When checking out, select:
State: TN
Organization: April Short
This fundraiser will continue until we bring our child home. Feel free to shop anytime and to spread the word.

Mark& April Short

shortstoriestn.blogspot.com

Fun Adoption Fundraisers!

Jo Franklin writes:

"Drew and Sharon Raines, a family in my church, are in the process of adopting twin boys who were on the waiting child list from Ethiopia.

Their fundraiser is like a mom-swap event. Moms pay a $20 cover charge, bring items they want to swap (any kids items, toy, shoes, clothes, or maternity clothes) and get to pick items that other moms brought to go home with. It's going to be on Friday, Nov. 13 from 6-9pm. It will be at 205 Stecoah Ct. Antioch, TN 37013. Anyone who is interested or has questions can email me. jomichellefranklin@yahoo.com

Also, I have a fundraiser going on for the next two weeks. My friend who has a on-line stationery business is taking orders for the next two weeks, Oct. 25-Nov.7, and the proceeds from those orders will go towards our adoption. She creates and sells personalized notecards, notepads, photo Christmas cards, baby announcements, bag tags, and gift cards online. Anyone interested can email her at keepintouchstationery@gmail.com and she will email them an on-line catalog. You can also look at her website at keepintouchstationery.com."

What a joy to have the privilege of supporting each other as we bring our children home!

Ethiopian Explosion

What a perfect afternoon for our African Fellowship picnic!.... So many wonderful families came together to celebrate our precious treasures and share in each other's journeys to adoption. In the same way our spiritual adoptions by God are meant to be lived out in a community of faith, our physical adoption of orphans thrives when we can support each other and watch our children grow up together with greater vision of what God's Kingdom is all about!

Family Fellowship Group--October 25!...and adoption fundraisers!

We are looking forward to an awesome fellowship group this Sunday! Many families have responded and we will welcome at least 2 new little ones home to their AF community of LOVE!

Please pray for a beautiful fall day and bring picnicky pot luck to share-- Sunday, 10/25, 3:00-6:00

Owl Creek Park directions

9751 Concord Rd, Brentwood, TN 37027 - Google Maps

The Short family is offering photography services to raise money for their adoption from Ethiopia.

Mark writes:

"Do you want professional pictures for holiday cards or eCards?

What: Professionally capture your memories.
Why: I’m passionate about family and photography. To that end, my wife (April) and I are in the process of adopting a boy from Ethiopia and I want to use photography to bless others and possibly raise some money to help with that adoption.
Cost: Donations are greatly appreciated, but are not required.
Where: Any location convenient to you.
When: Any evening or weekend. Appointments are appreciated.
How: I’ll bring my photography equipment. Work with you on the setting and focus. Capture, post process, and provide a CD/DVD of your pics and/or upload them to a secure web gallery for your viewing and sharing.

You can glimpse my work at: www.sevenlightsphotography.com"---

---And please check out 147 Million Orphans. The Oatsvall and Mayernick families will be bringing home children soon from Uganda! Their website has wonderful orphan awareness apparel and it all benefits orphans and adoption!

What a privilege to take part in the saving of lives and the building of families in His Name!

All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. AND THE LORD ADDED TO THEIR NUMBER DAILY THOSE WHO WERE BEING SAVED. Acts 2:44-47

November fellowship will be a prayer and sharing time for parents. If you are interested in hosting, please let me know. Thank you!

Until they all have a family--

Tracy