“Come Together for the Kids” brings back the 1960’s to celebrate National Adoption Awareness Month.
(Left to Right: Jeanne Tate, Mindy Budzynski, Mike Loparco, Sean Dougherty, David Conn, Loreen Spencer and Eric Kudzinski)
TAMPA, Fla. (November 13, 2017) – Wearing the styles of the 1960’s, hundreds of adoption advocates celebrated the Gift of Adoption Florida Chapter’s 15th annual fundraiser at the South Tampa home of Michael Malatin and Gabrielle George.
The event, called “Come Together for the Kids”, helped the local chapter reach the milestone of giving out $1 million in adoption assistance grants. Dollars raised for Gift of Adoption go directly to local families in the form of grants which help defray the costs of adopting a child. The funds raised in Florida have helped complete the adoptions of 350 children into forever families.
At Friday night’s fundraiser, a Gift of Adoption grant family, the Kosina’s, addressed the attendees and explained how Gift of Adoption made it possible for them to adopt two sisters, Ava and Savanah this past June.
“Many people don’t realize how much time and money goes into adopting one child, let alone two. We certainly didn’t,” said Kate Kosina. “The costs can really add up quickly. But thanks to the generosity of Gift of Adoption, we were able to open our hearts and home for these two wonderful little girls.”
The fundraiser featured 1960’s music, funky costumes, great food as well as a wine grab and a silent auction. The event’s hosts, Michael Malatin and Gabrielle George, opened their home on Palma Ceia Golf Course to celebrate National Adoption Awareness month. This one evening raised $120,000, enough to cover the adoption fees of 30 children currently in need.
“It was an honor to host this event – to both raise awareness about adoption, and raise funds to help give children a loving home,” said Malatin. “The need is so great, but every small donation can make a huge difference in someone’s life.”
140 million children worldwide are orphaned and in desperate need of a family to call their own. To make a donation to Gift of Adoption, please visit https://giftofadoption.org/chapter-donations/florida-chapter-donation/
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About Gift of Adoption: Gift of Adoption Fund is a national 501(c)3 charity that provides grants of up to $7,500 to U.S. families adopting children born in the U.S. and around the world. Gift of Adoption prioritizes grants for the most vulnerable children facing what is possibly their last or only chance at adoption. This includes families who are working to reunite or keep siblings together and those adopting children with critical medical conditions. Visit www.giftofadoption.org to learn more about how to put adoption within reach for children in need of families.