[KarenInCa]

I wrote an email to Half The Sky today about my daughter's interest in donating money to them, that she earned with a lemonade stand. The person who filters and first reads the emails said that Jenny Bowen, the founder of HTS, was so moved by the email, that she wants to highlight it on their '1 Big Family' page.
When I told my daughter, she said, "I'm going to be famous!" I'm already her number one fan!

Here's the email I wrote (she warms my heart like nobody can)


Our daughter is currently 7 years old. She spent the first 16 months of her life in the Hefei SWI. During that time, she was also sponsored by someone through HTS for that entire time. She has a healthy attitude toward adoption, and has known about the efforts of HTS for a couple of years now.

Most recently, she and I watched the interview with Jenny Bowen on The Today Show.

As is the case with many Americans, I've lost my job and my daughter has felt the pinch. We are not starving or on the verge of losing our house, but we are now doing without many luxuries and everyday enjoyments that we might have taken for granted a year or two ago. Yesterday, my daughter started a lemonade stand (50 cents a cup) on the corner of our driveway. Over the course of almost 2 and a half hours, she earned $7.50 plus tips.

When it was all said and done, I asked her what she was going to do with the money she had earned.
She said, "I would like to donate it to Half The Sky. You know the babies need it more than I do, Mom."
Later, I asked her if she was sure, and she said yes (even though making a stuffed animal at the mall has been high on her priority list for quite a while now).

My daughter truly understands the power of love. Sure, parenting has something to do with it. But she has had the ability share love and understand kindness since the week we adopted her in China, in March of 2006.
Thank you, Jenny Bowen....and HTS staff....and to those who silently donate to HTS. All of you have helped to give my daughter the start she needed in life to be a better person for her community.

We will be sending in $7.50 (plus tips).

When you get the check for $10, realize it is not just a donation, but a representation of my daughter's love for the children and the babies still living in orphanages or foster care. Realize it's her way of saying, "Thank You, with all that I have". She makes me so proud.

[KLL08]

You have me bawling at work over here! Such a sweet girl you have, what a heart!

[becky]

That's amazing!!!

[wcurry66]

you need a warning on this post. I'm sitting at work, tears streaming down my face. You've got an amazing girl

[Gwen72]

I agree with wcurry. You need to put a warning on this post. Something along the lines of "get a box of Kleenex before you read this!"

[usisarah]

How special!

[KarenInCa]

Sorry guys. Yeah, I should have put up a warning. When I reread it, I also had tears of heartfelt joy.

[NSB]

OMG that is SO touching *sniff sniff.* I am eagerly anticipating the post when you have a new referral from China. It is a LONG wait, but I know it will all be worth it.
(((hugs)))

[alys1]

Awwwww, I'm crying!

And thank you. You write SO well, wow!

[carmen90]

What a sweet heart she has A very touching message

[momraine]

Awww, so sweet. You must be so very proud of your beautiful daughter.

[mumofone]

What a beautiful post!!!!

It's very obvious that you raised a wonderful, caring daughter.

[KarenInCa]

Thanks for the replies.
She helped me send the money in today. She happily handed over the cash and I wrote a check. She put it into the mailbox, and we said a little prayer before sending it off, that the money goes forth to do good for the babies. What is it about helping others that makes us feel good (and actually healthy)?
HTS has also already posted the email.

[bldgafamily]

That is so wonderful! I had a pretty rough day, and this story is the perfect way to end the day. You have a special little girl

[Leeah]

Thanks for sharing this! What a sweet heart she is!