Pay It Forward

*****I HAVE UPDATED THE LINKS SO YOU CAN GO DIRECTLY TO THE WEBSITE TO ORDER THE FIT BANDS MEANT FOR ADOPTION DONATION.  I ALSO UPDATED THE PICTURE TO SHOW WHICH ONES YOU GET TO CHOOSE BETWEEN*****

I have a friend, Nichole, who I have known since 9th grade.  She's been through lots of things with me and now I have an opportunity to help her out.  She and her husband are in the process of adopting a child and needs some help with the financial portion of the adoption.  I've heard of how expensive it is to adopt and I think it's outrageous.  There are children out there who NEED homes and it seems like it is made more difficult because of the financial constraints placed on these parents who WANT to adopt!  I did a little research and the cost of a U.S. adoption ranges between $20,000 and $25,000.  Some adoptions can cost upwards of $50,000.  

They also go through a long process that leads up to the actual adoption.  The family has to mentally prepare themselves for the actual adoption.  It can be a long, grueling process and you have to be prepared for the emotional ups and downs.  There are many decisions to be made along the way and a long application process that can take a very long time.  I really want to help Nichole and Rob out because I think they're going to make wonderful parents.  They have a loving home and extended family to bring a child home to.

Please help them out by participating in one of these fundraising options below.

The first one is a company called Worthy of the Prize.  They sell extremely cute key chains and lanyards.  They donate 50% of each sale to adoptive parents to help with adoption costs.  You can either go to Nichole's blog and buy off the sidebar at the top right or go directly to Worthy of the Prize website to purchase your key chain or lanyard.  Just remember to choose "I would like the $$$ to go to the Akins" if you want to help out Nichole and Rob or you can decide to split the money among all the families.  FYI:  When you purchase a Fit Band for the adoption donation, the styles you get to pick between are just below in the picture. 

Another fundraising idea she has found was through a coffee company, Just Love Coffee.  For every bag of coffee or t-shirt purchased, Nichole and Rob will get $5.  For every tumbler, hat or bag purchased, they will get $3 and for every scoop of coffee purchased, they will get $1.  Just visit Nichole and Rob's personal website at Just Love Coffee and make a purchase to help them out!!

I hope that everyone makes it a point to visit either of or both of these websites and help my friends out.  It feels so good to help someone out so feel good about yourself today!!!!