Thursday, December 23, 2010

A Home for the Holidays

If you didn't watch the CBS program "A Home for the Holidays" last night you missed SOMETHING!  The12th Annual program (how did I miss this last year?  Oh yeah - I wasn't on Twitter yet - that is how I learned about the program - thanks tweeters) was hosted by Julie Chen and Holly Robinson Peete, sponsored by the Dave Thomas Foundation and focused on the availability of children for adoption within the foster care system.  The program also included followup on children featured last year who had found loving, permanent homes.  It was wonderful to see so many of the hosts participating whose lives had been touched by adoption - Melissa Gilbert, Ricky Martin, Melissa Etheridge.  Some of the celebrities shared their stories.  I could go on and on, but I urge you to take the time and watch the program on line by clicking here.

Before we leave, let's give a big thank you to all those who work to make lives better for children in foster care - the CPS workers who work tirelessly, non profits who support the children (props to Dallas CASA and Community Partners of Dallas  - just to name a couple) and Hope Cottage's own Foster to Adopt Staff, Linda Pouncy and Nicole Mahanay.  Big hugs to all those families who choose to adopt from Foster Care.  You all truly make a difference in the life of a child.

Hope Cottage offices will be closed from December 24 - January 2, so no posts until after the New Year.  We hope that each of you has a wonderful, joyous holiday season and the New Year brings you everything you desire and more!


Hope Cottage is the oldest nonprofit, non sectarian adoption agency in Dallas. Since 1918 Hope Cottage has been building and nurturing strong families through counseling, education and adoption services.



If you have questions about adoption, please call Hope Cottage at 214.526.8721.


If you are a woman facing an unwanted pregnancy and would like to talk to someone about adoption, please call Hope Cottage at 1.800.944.4464 or 214.404.4546

Monday, December 13, 2010

Helping a Child You Don't Even Know

It is the time of year for giving.  Last week I had the good fortune to hear Jody Dean of local station, KLUV  speak at the Holiday Lunch for the Dallas Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.  Whew!  that's alot of links in one sentence.

Jody has been a long time supporter and advocate for Hope Cottage.  For thirteen years, Hope Cottage and Jody Dean teamed up for the Hope Cottage/Jody Dean Golf Classic as a way to raise funds for the organization.  Incidentally, Jody is an adopted child.  He is also one of the most giving people in the metroplex.  The organizations he has helped raise funds are too numerous to list but I know they are all grateful for his assistance. 

Jody's keynote address was superb and he had the room mesmerized.  He talked about how we, as fundraisers, don't do this alone.  We "stand on the shoulders of others".  He talked about how the holiday season is a time for giving.  Regardless of your beliefs, I want to share this statement with you.  Jody said "isn't it amazing that at this time of year we celebrate people coming from all over and bringing gifts to honor and help a child they didn't even know."  It hit me - that could apply to you - our wonderful donors. 

Every year, many, many, many of you make a gift (or gifts) to Hope Cottage to help children find loving, permanent homes.  Children you don't even know and may never meet.  Think about what a difference you make!  And think about the difference you can make again this year.  You have many choices when deciding who to honor with your donations and we appreciate you considering Hope Cottage.  If you choose Hope Cottage, click here

Here are the faces of some of the children that you have helped this year - on behalf of them - THANK YOU!

Grayson
Gideon



Noah

Hope Cottage is the oldest nonprofit, non sectarian adoption agency in Dallas. Since 1918 Hope Cottage has been building and nurturing strong families through counseling, education and adoption services.

If you have questions about adoption, please call Hope Cottage at 214.526.8721.

If you are a woman facing a crises pregnancy and would like to talk to someone about adoption, please call Hope Cottage at 1.800.944.4464 or 214.404.4546.



Friday, December 10, 2010

It's Always Nice to Receive Recognition

Let me start off first by saying that those of us in the nonprofit arena are NOT in the business to get lots of recognition (or to make the big bucks!).  That being said, I will tell you it is nice to receive recognition for your hard work. 

Hope Cottage has been a member, since Day One,  of the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and before it was the United Way, the Community Chest.  At one time, United Way donations provided 85% of the Hope Cottage budget (that equals close to $890,000).  We are proud to be a charter member and value our partnership with United Way.

Every year, the United Way rolls out their Workplace Giving Campaigns and we hit the dusty speaking circuit.  It is a privelege to share stories of how your donations have helped Hope Cottage serve more than 30,000 women and children over the past 92 years.  Representatives from Hope Cottage speak any time - including 3 AM at UPS, anywhere - including an airport tarmac and under any conditions - yes, even competing with machinery.  We do this because we care about Hope Cottage and realize how important it is for people to know about the work being done here.

Today was the Annual Awards Luncheon and Hope Cottage was honored to be chosen as a winner for our participation in the most Agency Fairs.  In addition, our name was mentioned for providing 17 speaking engagements for United Way at various corporations in the metroplex.  Thank you United Way and thank YOU, our donors, for continuing to give.


Hope Cottage is the oldest nonprofit, non sectarian adoption agency in Dallas. Since 1918 Hope Cottage has been building and nurturing strong families through counseling, education and adoption services.

If you have questions about adoption, please call Hope Cottage at 214.526.8721.

If you are a woman facing a crises pregnancy and would like to talk to someone about adoption, please call Hope Cottage at 1.800.944.4464 or 214.404.4546.

Saturday, December 4, 2010

I Would Die For That

Hope Cottage clients, nor any other adoptive parents, do not come to adoption lightly. It is an action that comes at the end of long journey down a very long road. For many it is an action preceeded by loss and grief. But tied up with that loss and grief is hope - hope for dreams fulfilled, hope for a family, hope for a child.

I came across this video on a blog maintained by one of our Waiting to Adopt Families and it touched my heart. Our clients live this...and Hope Cottage is here to help them through.




Hope Cottage is the oldest nonprofit, non sectarian adoption agency in Dallas. Since 1918 Hope Cottage has been building and nurturing strong families through counseling, education and adoption services.


If you have questions about adoption, please call Hope Cottage at 214.526.8721.


If you are a woman facing a crises pregnancy and would like to talk to someone about adoption, please call Hope Cottage at 1.800.944.4464 or 214.404.4546.