(Posted for Focus on Adoption)
Focus on Adoption is now taking donations. Although we are 'not for profit', we still do not have 501c3 certification and therefore, any contributions you make will not be tax deductible. Contributions can be made via check or money order to:
Focus On Adoption
16 N. Central
Clayton, MO 63105
This current fund raising effort is dedicated to providing support to the Association in Defense of Adoption, the extremely pro-active organization of attorneys and Hogar directors in Guatemala. All contributions for the ADA should be "designated" on your check, but the check should be made out to Focus On Adoption. All contributions designated for the ADA will go 100% to the ADA. The money will be used to support their initiatives, which include:
*A Massive PR Campaign in Guatemala
*Development of legal challenges, including, but not limited to, Criminal charges.
*ADA advocacy efforts
While Focus On Adoption Board members have been closely aligned with the ADA, and have shared ideas and strategies, we are not members of the ADA. These funds will not have "strings attached", but will be added to the Legal Defense Fund which the ADA members and several agencies have contributed to.In response to one query: Your contributions will NOT be going to Agencies!!
Nor will they be going to any individual members of the ADA.
I want to stress how remarkable the ADA has been in organizing and succeeding in their advocacy. No other similar organization emerged in other countries, when ICA was under attack and, in the majority of cases, deprivatized and centralized -- leaving hundreds of thousands of children without the opportunity to join permanent families. But their work has just started and funds are needed desperately to continue this initiative.
Hannah Wallace, President, Focus On Adoption
Posted by Kelly at October 16, 2003 08:38 AMThanks so much for posting this. Many of us have wanted to make an contribution to this wonderful group for a while!
Posted by: Susan at October 16, 2003 12:59 PMDoes this money go to Susana and Hannah, or just to agencies. I would truly like to know that Susana would be getting some help from this.
Posted by: Lanell at October 16, 2003 02:22 PMI didn't think Susana was a member of this group at all. Am I mistaken? Who exactly are the members again? And how would the money be used exactly?
Jo Ann
It would be nice to have a general idea how these funds will be used (ie. are we helping to fund the filing of criminal charges against the PGN, etc.?). However, that said, my husband and I are contributing, and strongly encourage others to do so. How can we ask people to help us bring home our children if we are not willing to help them to help us? God speed, baby Claire!!
Posted by: Laurie at October 16, 2003 06:57 PMFOA has already been working very hard to help Susana (and ADA) with their efforts. Much of the contributions (if not all) will go towards the legal fund for ADA's use. As I have come to know the founding members, Hannah, Rudy and Caroline...I can assure you that it is money well spent!!!
Posted by: Kelly (webmaster) at October 16, 2003 08:17 PMYou can count on us! We will be sending our check today!! Thanks for all you do for the children in Guatemala. We are parents to one wonderful Guatemalan son and hoping to adopt another soon.
Laurie
Posted by: Laurie at October 17, 2003 05:31 PMIN RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS ABOUT FOCUS ON ADOPTIONS
FUND RAISING INITIATIVE:
This current fund raising effort is dedicated to providing support to the Association in Defense of Adoption, the extremely pro-active organization of attorneys and Hogar directors in Guatemala. All contributions for the ADA should be "designated" on your check, but the check should be made out to Focus On Adoption. All contributions designated for the ADA will go 100% to the ADA. The money will be used to support their initiatives, which include:
*A Massive PR Campaign in Guatemala
*Development of legal challenges, including, but not limited to, Criminal charges.
*ADA advocacy efforts
While Focus On Adoption Board members have been closely aligned with the ADA, and have shared ideas and strategies, we are not members of the ADA. These funds will not have "strings attached", but will be added to the Legal Defense Fund which the ADA members and several agencies have contributed to.In response to one query: Your contributions will NOT be going to Agencies!!
Nor will they be going to any individual members of the ADA.
I want to stress how remarkable the ADA has been in organizing and succeeding in their advocacy. No other similar organization emerged in other countries, when ICA was under attack and, in the majority of cases, deprivatized and centralized -- leaving hundreds of thousands of children without the opportunity to join permanent families. But their work has just started and funds are needed desperately to continue this initiative.
Hannah Wallace, President, Focus On Adoption
Posted by: hannah wallace at October 18, 2003 06:58 AMHannah,
Thanks for the information.
Please tell me what the "ICA" is.
Thanks!
ICA= intercountry adoption (also known as international adoption).
Posted by: stessa at November 10, 2003 07:56 PMHi Hannah - is there any way I can verify that FOA received my donation? I mailed it a while back but the check was never cashed...maybe you are just saving them up to deposit all at once, but I just wanted to check!
thanks!
Colleen
21043