Bringing an Orphan Home by Serving a Widow

Our Sights Set on Jillian

Since January, we have been on a journey to adopt Jillian. We hope to travel to China to get her in the next two to three months and finances have certainly been a big concern!  An adoption like this—because of fees, government forms, shipping, travel and more—will likely cost well over $30,000.  (And the costs will likely continue after she comes home, with doctor's appointments for her cerebral palsy, speech therapy, dental work, tuition for kindergarten and so on.)

Our Solution

A few months ago, we applied for a grant through Lifesong for Orphans and as we did the paperwork, we learned about a very cool, very unusual fundraising project that an organization called Both Hands developed a few years ago.  We are going to spend one big day working on a widow’s home! Here is a video of a similar project--a much bigger one than ours--so you can get the idea:

 

Our Service

In our case, we'll be serving Wilma.  She is a widow who lives in Southeast Vancouver and she has agreed to let us work on her home. She is 78 spirited years old. Wilma and Archie had been together for over 50 years when he passed away in December. She’s raised seven kids, including a grandson, and her 58-year-old disabled daughter lives with her and she loves poodles. On Saturday, September 29, a team of volunteers will gather at Wilma’s place. We plan to do some painting, some landscaping, perhaps roof her shed, and clean a little.  (The scope of our project depends on how many volunteers join us, of course.)

Your Support

So how does a day of painting and weeding equal $$$ for our adoption of Jillian??

We are asking you to sponsor our day of work, similar to the way others might have asked for your support for a charity golf outing or “free” car wash. All gifts are tax deductible go directly toward our adoption expenses.  None of the proceeds are kept by Both Hands or Lifesong for Orphans.  Our goal is to raise $20,000. 

There are two easy ways to donate:

Œ On-line: Go to www.BothHands.org/Muntz and click the “Donate” button under our family photo. Follow online instructions to pay safely with your credit card or PayPal account.

 Send a check: Make your check payable to Lifesong for Orphans. Please write “Preference Muntz Family #2947” in the memo section of your check, and mail it by October 20 to:

Lifesong for Orphans

PO Box 40/202 N. Ford St.

Gridley, IL 61744

Thank you in advance for your consideration, as well as your prayers for us, for Jillian and for this project.  If you have any questions, please get in touch with me at www.facebook.com/palmer.muntz.

Some fine print:

The project is administered through Lifesong for Orphans. Lifesong for Orphans is a certified member of the Evangelical Council on Financial Accountability. 100% of all funds raised will go directly to cover adoption costs—nothing will be taken out for Lifesong for Orphans’ administrative costs. Please note that in following IRS guidelines, your donation is to the non-profit organization Lifesong for Orphans. They retain full discretion over its use, but intend to honor the donor’s suggestion. For more information on Both Hands and Lifesong for Orphans please visit www.LifesongForOrphans.org.