[elmo86]

Hi Friends,
At the moment I am excited beyond belief, scared, nervous, worried and happy all at one time.
I just got off the phone with the agency and the lady there was very nice. She agreed to work out a payment plan with us, and reduce the fees a little. If I can raise the funds I need thru the various fundraisers and grants I applied for, I'll be going soon.
I am scheduled to travel to see Misha memorial Day weekend.
As far as raising funds here is what I did....
Applied for grants
put out donation jars at various stores in my area
Set up a trust account to collect donations
will hold a yard/bake sale this weekend
Spoke with local editor at newpaper about a story on Misha
Last started a fundraiser "I SUPPORT ADOPTION"
I had key chains made up that say "I SUPPORT ADOPTION"
that I am going to sell to everyone and anyone interested for $6.00 each. All the money will go into the Misha Fund trust set up by our local bank.
Any money left over after we adopt Misha will be
put into a grant or loan account for other people like me who need help paying the adoption fees.Last started a fundraiser "I SUPPORT ADOPTION"
Thanks for all your support.
WEndy

[Bcelli]

You go girl!

[Shoshana]

hi wendy:

i've been following your story and want to wish you lots of efforts in your attempt to adopt misha.

i thought i should tell you what i've learned about adoption grants. i've seen lots of people post on the general adoptive parents support board, international boards, and guatemala. i believe, without exception, that everyone writes that the grants are impossible to obtain. some of the grants apparently require you to pay an application fee. anyway, i don't want to rain on your parade, but from what i've learned, seems like grants are almost impossible to obtain - and i guess the 'application fees' could really add up.

[Abdulina]

Wendy,

I have to agree with Elizabeth on the grants. Save your application fee money and put it towardsomething else. Your fundraising will go further than pursuing grants. Worst case scenario, do what we are doing. Our children are all visa kids. Much, much cheaper than adoption loans b/c you do all the cash advances than transfer to no interest balance transfer card. It's worked for us. Plus, if you tell your story to the credit card company, they'll try to find a way to get you lower rates or a way around the cash advance fees. Good luck. You can do it. Memorial weekend is the most expensive time to fly. See if maybe you could go a week later. Would save much, much money. We are going to do some fundraising when we return from this trip in order to go back and get the rest of our kids. Yes, we found more. Won't tell about them yet. Don't want to "jinx" it. Great boys though. Wendy, you will bring Misha home and it will be life changing. I applaud your efforts. Gives us the motivation to get moving as well. Thanks for the update.

Best wishes on your adoption journey.

Stephanie

The Boyd Bunch-- growing gladly. How many.....only God knows.

[amanda_p]

How can I order a keychain?

[ATwinkleofHope]

Wow! Way to go. I am so glad that things are working our for you.

Look at the website below for another fundraiser idea.

www.webnow.com/atwinkleofhope

Good Luck to you,
-Jo

[Xanny]

That's great! Keep up the good work. I've often thought that there should be a foundation that provides grants or low-interest loans to people who are adopting. I'd like to set one up someday.

I'd also like to try and get Wheel of Fortune to set up Adoption Week. They could have regular people who are adopting or searching for birthfamilies partnered with adopted celebrities or celebrities who are adoptive parents or birthparents. Then the celebrities could raise money for adoption-related charities, and the contestants could win money to use toward their adoption or search.

Plus, it would help everyone see how many people in this world are touched by adoption in one way or another.

Xanny

[kimber413]

Xanny, that's a great idea! Are you in the Los Angeles area? If not, I'll see if I can find out who to contact here for WOF and see if they can work something up. It sounds right up their alley.

[pkblock]

Great idea Xanny on the wheel. We are still figuring out which way to make all this happen.

As far as the credit card thing,I never really thought about it. Maybe when we get one of those offers for 0 apr and balance transfers for 1yr
plus, that might be the way to get started.
I know the home equity isn't going to help us much.What does anyone know on a line of credit on a already paid off property? I was told high interest rates.Anyone have thoughts on this?

Thanks Pam

[Military Momma]

You go girl! I've been reading all about your story of Misha~ I'm glad to see that you have the will to prevail! Good things come to those who try!!!! Keep it up! We are all behind you!

Lisa