[sadiegirl]

Originally Posted by karaleah

The showers are more about celebrating the arrival of a new family member than gift grabs, esp. when it came to our 2nd baby.

Exactly. Which is why I REALLY have a prob with my SIL having a shower for baby #5 AND registering for gifts (AND putting a gift for her current children on the registry as well!) But I have IL issues anyway.

Bottom line, this is one of those things people agree or disagree with (adoption fundraising). Personally, I wouldn't do it but would support/attend one.

[Vogi2002]

I think fundraising is all in how you present it and execute it. You have to be careful that it is not a handout, and do NOT go up to random people and ask for just a donation. I think we all agree on this. I think if you are not tacky and add no guilt if they don't pay on to fundraising it can be a fun way to raise money. A guy I know is selling rubber ducky's to earn money, it is something fun and he works his butt off doing it, so I respect him for that. I would pay 10$ for a rubber ducky but not just pay 10$....and i don't even WANT the rubber ducky! LOL :-)

I think a "dinner" per say is fine if it is close friends and family that would not be insulted, and you really put a lot of effort into the dinner....

Natalie

[Bug-n-Bears-Mommy]

I have to say, the first I ever heard of someone seeking other's to help them pay for their adoption was when I was looking up "adoption" on e-bay. There was a "Buy it now" (anyone familiar with e-bay knows what I am talking about) option for $45K. It was a woman who was basically selling her infertility and lack of financial security story for $45k. I was STUNNED! My first thought was if you can't afford to actually pay your own bills, let alone PAY for your adoption, what the heck are you wanting to bring a child into your home for?

There are many alternative ways of not just raising money, but less expensive paths to adoption out there. I think you are right on both aspects...they have 5 bio children of their own, so why not concentrate on them? Then to feel that they need to have a self-sponsoring shin-dig to fund their adoption...morally I would have a problem supporting such an event. Sounds like that is what you are battling too.

[sadiegirl]

Bug,

The 5 children are my SIL's and were not adopted; I don't think the OP friends have 5 children.

I was actually veering off the path from the OP b/c I am so peeved at my SIL...Sorry for any confusion!

[Bug-n-Bears-Mommy]

My bad...I got the posts confused...either way, I could not morally even FORCE myself to attend something like this.

[Vogi2002]

OMG, online auction on ebay?!?! What did she say you were getting for 45K??? Gees, what a hoot, some people have ZERO class!! LOL...who knows though maybe it was a scam, although I have seen people post here asking people to donate to thier website...okay I don't even know you, for all I know it could be a scam!! ;-)

Natalie