Adoption FYI

Founder of the Guatemala Family Network, Bethany Eisenberg (pictured here upper right at an orphanage in Guatemala) says that all of the money/donations they collect go directly to locations in Guatemala. She actually sees the children they hope to help and visits directly with the people working so hard to make better lives for these abandoned children. Bethany is so moved by what they do with so little, that each time, she feels the desire to do more.

It's the 10-year anniversary of National Adoption Day, a day where the courts open their doors and finalize the adoptions of children from foster care. Visit nationaladoptionday.org to see a schedule of Massachusetts events.

URGENT NEED IN WESTERN MA

More than 90 kids registered with the Massachusetts Resource Exchange (MARE) in Western MA are waiting for families. Out of the 91 waiting children, 40 of them are of Latino heritage, 44 are over the age of 10, and 52 are boys. If you are interested in finding out how you can help these waiting children, please contact MARE at 617-54-ADOPT (617-542- 3678) or 800-882-1176.

Bethany Eisenberg, an Arlington mother of two children adopted from Guatemala, visits Guatemala on behalf of her fund, The Guatemala Aid Fund (GAF). She now has a dedicated Board of Directors that has expanded GAF's giving ability.

Additionally, on Sat., Nov. 7, MARE is throwing a free Adoption Party at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield from 1 to 4 p .m. This event focuses on finding families for children of Hispanic/ Latino heritage; although, all families are encouraged to attend. An orientation at 1 p.m. will guide families on how to best to use this party before waiting children arrive with their social workers. Social work students from Elms College in Chicopee, MA will assist the children with fun and games for all.

This adoption party gives prospective parents the chance to interact with adoptable children through informal activities including arts and crafts, basketball, and table games. Attendees should dress casually. Refreshments, catered by Westfield Vocational High School Culinary students, will be served. For more information, contact 800-882- 1176 or mareinc.org.

START A HOLIDAY TRADITION!

Collect Toys for the Home for Little Wanderers at your Gathering.

The Home for Little Wanderers' Big Wishes for Little Wanderers Gift Drive, one of the oldest toy drives in the Commonwealth, kicks off on Dec. 1 and runs through Dec. 22, 2009. Each year thousands of families from across the state have made it a tradition to drop off donations at The Home's Toy Room at the Knight Children's Center, 161 South Huntington Ave., Jamaica Plain, or at a Coldwell Banker or Bernie & Phyl's Furniture drop- off location in the community. For more information on items to donate, how to adopt a family this holiday season, how to make a donation online, or to find the dropoff location nearest to you, visit thehome. org/bigwishes or call 888-HOME-321.

THE GUATEMALA FAMILY NETWORK

Nine years ago, Bethany Eisenberg, an Arlington mother of two adopted children from Guatemala, decided to stop exchanging expensive Christmas gifts with her loved ones. Instead, she started a holiday tradition by asking friends and family to donate over-the-counter medicines and health care items to the abandoned children in Guatemala.

Through the help of family, friends, and various communities, this gesture has turned into a successful non-profit charitable organization, The Guatemala Aid Fund.

Bethany says that all of the items GAF collects go directly to locations in Guatemala that she personally selects and visits.

"We find out exactly what they need, and try to provide it," she explains.

One year the organization sent sheets for the abandoned and those in need of medical attention (250 beds) and two donated centrifuges."

This year the GAF hopes to raise $30,000 for the abandoned children in Guatemala as foreign adoptions are formally closed and there are no funds going into the country to support those children in need as the number of children being abandoned with no places to go is increasing.

Since the cost of shipping actual items has increased dramatically, the Guatemala Aid Fund now focuses on sending cash donations directly to the orphanages and programs they support. This also further supports the economy as the products are being purchased locally rather than being bought here and shipped. The organization does not have any paid employees, so 100% of donations go directly to the needy children and families in Guatemala.

For more information, visit guatemalaaidfund.org.