Five Years Ago ...

My good friend just reminded me that five years ago THIS weekend, Halis and I met our son for the first time. Perhaps that is why I have been so emotional about him and Haiti recently. My heart remembered what my mind did not.

WE LOVE YOU SO BIG, Mr. Isaac Watson. Since before you were born.

xo,

Mommy & Daddy

Read More

Update: Efforts for Haiti.

Again, thank you all so very much for your help with our fundraising efforts for Haiti. The generosity I have found among you all is nothing short of amazing. xo

We are still in "collection" mode ... collecting proceeds of the Studio 36 Silent Auction, our on-line auctions, and Isaac's coin drive. Therefore, we don't have any "final" numbers yet ... but we have been able to send out a check to each of the organizations that we are collecting for. Here are some current numbers to celebrate:

Haitian Roots: $359.47
Hearts With Haiti: $359.47
Yele: $100.00

These aren't "telethon" numbers - but any amount is most helpful and needed - so we are pleased. And there is more money coming in nearly every day!

We also received much press for our efforts ... and that is always good. Keeping the plight of Haiti in the hearts and minds of the masses is going to be difficult. But if we - who love Haiti dearly - can find unique ways to keep media attention on the restoration efforts in Haiti - then we are doing something powerful indeed.

Our story was picked up (and made front page news) in The Bangor Daily and The Weekly. I was also interviewed for a piece on Examiner.com (here) and had another interview for a local college paper. Some friends have told me that they have found pieces of our story by accident in various other places, but I have yet to discover them. The point is ... one small family in Bangor, Maine can raise awareness and make a change. We ALL can. And not just for Haiti --- but for whatever we believe in. Remember that!

"Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has." (Margaret Mead)

My friend Shannon, from Haitian Roots, tells me that Isson (a fellow Board member of Haitian Roots) is on his way into Haiti today in order to locate and provide assistance to as many children in the Haitian Roots program as possible. This is good news, but it is also a bit frightening. Of the 200+ children in the program, only 34 children have been accounted for at this point. Please pray that good news is heard regarding the rest of the children ... including the sweet little girl, Ashly Dort, who many of you helped to sponsor via this blog. I will certainly update you all as I hear anything.

Also - I will continue to hold some fundraising auctions here on this blog - hopefully as early as tomorrow. Thank you all for your prayers, generosity, love and light.

Love,
Jodi

Read More

Online Benefit Auction for Haiti: Item #2.

ATTENTION: This auction has now closed ... as I was given a bid to close it early that I could not refuse :) Not only will it be going to an AWESOME woman ... but the buyer made a significant donation to the cause. I hope you all understand. THANK YOU!!!

This is not just a necklace ... it is art. And I am privileged to know the amazing man who creates these works. Jason Brown, and his lovely wife Donna are both proud Native people who maintain many of the traditions of their tribe ... including creating various forms of art that have been a part of their cultural heritage for centuries.

Their website is full of their gorgeous works ... but you will not find another piece like this one! This necklace was created just for our Haitian fundraising efforts. Jason tells me that pieces like this usually gross over $200 in area museum stores and specialty shops. And I can SO see why. It is made with sterling silver, Tennessee River shell and turquoise.

This piece is absolutely stunning. And it can be yours!

If you are interested in placing a bid on it, please do so via the comment section of this blog post. Bidding will end on Monday, February 15th at midnight ET ... and I think I shall start the bidding :)

Thank you Jason & Donna for such a generous donation to this cause!

Love,

Jodi

P.S. Kelly O. place the winning bid on Item #2. Thank you Kelly. I will be in touch to get this to you right away.

Read More

A Hand for Haiti : Recipe Book.

Reprinted from Raising Itty Bitty Bookworms ...

Since the earthquake in Haiti, Lauren at Celiac Teen has been working hard to gather recipes from contributing food bloggers all over the world in an effort to help. She has diligently put these recipes together in an e-book, available for purchase on her blog. All donations received for the e-book will be sent to the Canadian Red Cross (Lauren is Canadian) for purposes of helping victims of the Haiti earthquake. The e-book has many wonderful recipes, and many of them are gluten-free or easily gluten-free adaptable. Read more about how to obtain this e-book and contribute here.

What an amazing teen! Please support her in her efforts!

(Thank you Tara - for letting me know about this).

Love,
Jodi

Read More

Online Benefit Auction for Haiti: Item #1.

These pillows are absolutely gorgeous in person. They are made from the artwork of local photographers ... quilted and sewn by local volunteers ... and sold in area stores to benefit "at-risk" youth in Southern Maine. The woman in charge of this program gave me some pillows to sell for the benefit of Haiti. She is a generous soul to be sure.

This pillow is 14" square, has a bottom zipper for taking pillow form out, is sewn with high quality materials, and is washable.

The picture featured on this pillow is of a tree in winter ... full of birds. So lovely.

So - start the bidding!

Please leave a comment (on the blog - not facebook please) with your bid and your contact info. Please note that shipping will cost an additional $5. Bidding will be closed at midnight (ET) on Thurs, Feb 11th. All proceeds will benefit Haitian Roots.com.

Thank you!

Love,
Jodi

Read More

Auction Results.

(Isaac's now-famous "froggie bank" & part of his coin drive for Haiti)

Again ... and again ... and again ... a HEARTFELT THANKS to all who supported Studio 36's Silent Auction Benefit for Haiti. Thank you for the donations, the well-wishes, the bids, the coin collections, the publicity, the prayers ... for everything. You all are amazing and I am so thankful for each and every one of you. xo

The benefit was successful in oh-so-many ways. Many folks brought their coins in to support Isaac's coin drive. Generous bids were made. Local artists gained some publicity for their work. Many of us shared stories of our connections to Haiti. Others asked questions about adoption. Lovely connections were made. And money was raised! It was all good. It was all love and light.

So, here are the numbers thus far:

AUCTION RESULTS:

Total winning bids: $1044.00

Total collected thus far: $764.00

Total to be collected: $278.00

Total expenses for the event: $280.96

ISAAC's COIN COLLECTION DRIVE:

Total collected thus far: $362.00

TOTAL EARNED THUS FAR: $1124.06

----------------------------------------------

I am pleased with the results and hope you all are too. As soon as all monies are collected, we will dole out checks to the organizations that we were collecting for ... and Isaac will make his final decisions on where his coin collection monies will go. I will be sure to post the results here.

Also ... PLEASE NOTE: A few wonderful items did not receive their minimum bid amounts at the auction, and we have decided to sell some of them here on our blog ... in hopes of reaching a wider audience. We are hoping to post one item a day. Please stay tuned as there are some amazing pieces for sale and all sales will continue to benefit Haiti.

Again, thank you all.

Love,

Jodi

Read More

Simply Amazing: Some Goodies Donated to Tomorrow's Benefit Auction.

I am in awe. And here is why ...

As you can see, there is something for everybody at the Studio 36 Silent Auction to Benefit Haiti ... and some absolutely breath-taking art. I am in such awe of the generosity of my friends, colleagues and neighbors. Several times tonight, while putting everything together for the big sale, I felt tears come to my eyes as I thought of the capacity we all have to love one another ... and how we humans always manage to come together to assist one another in our greatest hours of need. Haiti is in GREAT need right now ... and there is certainly no shortage of loving hearts and able hands to assist in all ways possible.

An enormous thanks to all of you. Every one of you has helped this effort in some way ... by telling your friends, donating an item, gathering coins for Isaac's fundraiser, sending prayers and positive thoughts, etc.

Tomorrow (or today, as this is being typed at 3am) is going to be great! I have faith that lots of money and goodwill is going to be generated for the people in Haiti ... and especially for the organizations that we love and trust to do amazing work within Haiti. I look forward to telling you all how successful this fundraiser has been --- and to seeing so many of you tomorrow.

xoxo,
Jodi

Read More

They Are Alive & Well.

I have gotten word from 2 generous souls who have been serving Petit Goave, Haiti --- that Isaac's biological family is alive and well. I received this news earlier in the week, but could not bring myself to fully believe it until Thursday eve --- when Dr. Steve Edmondson sent me photographs he had taken of our family (post earthquake). These pictures had me overjoyed, as our loved ones look so very healthy ... and actually managed some smiles. It was absolutely wonderful to see ... BUT it is also very bittersweet. As Dr. Steve wrote in his e-mail, "Your family is very fortunate, Jodi. Petit Goave was pretty messed up by the earthquake. Many people died there." I am incredibly thankful that our family is well, but also incredibly sad for Haiti and for the millions of lives that have been upended by this disaster.

Another amazing man, and his lovely wife, helped us to locate our Haitian family as well. They live right here in Winterport, Maine. This man, Sheldon, spoke to Isaac's biofamily, and told us that their home is in ruins. He came home from Haiti yesterday and wishes to speak to us after he settles in. I am very much looking forward to what he has to say. We are hoping to learn of their needs, and any other needs we can help to meet in their village ... as Halis is still planning his trip there for February.

Now that we have 100% confirmation that the Metellus family is alive and well, we have removed their information and pictures from this site in an effort to try to keep Isaac's adoption story as private as possible. Thank goodness we took a chance and put their info out into the world as that is how we were able to locate them.

Thank you all ... for your love, prayers, thoughts ... and for your continued support of Haiti.

xoxo
Jodi

Read More

Fundraiser for Haiti : The Press Release : Feel Free to Share

January 27, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Studio 36
128 Hammond Street
Bangor, Maine 04401
Contact: Jodi Renshaw (207)385-3940
jrenshaw@hotmail.com

Silent Auction Fundraiser has Local Ties to Haitian Victims

Saturday, February 6th, 2010, Bangor, Maine – Studio 36 announces a Silent Auction Fundraiser to help support the victims of the devastating Haitian earthquake. The public is invited to gather at 128 Hammond Street in downtown Bangor to view a wide array of interesting and artistic items donated by local artisans and businesses. The Silent Auction includes photography, paintings, hand sewn items and handcrafted Native American jewelry, sculpture and basketry. You will also have a chance to bid on a digital camera donated by Bangor Photo, gift certificates from local businesses, and a variety of celebrity signed items highlighted by a signed copy of a Stephen King novel. Bidding will start at 4:00 and close at 8:00pm and 100 percent of the proceeds will go to Haitian Roots, Hearts with Haiti and Yele, which are all Haitian run organizations.

For event coordinator Jodi Renshaw, the events in Haiti have hit very close to home. Her son Issac was born in Haiti. Jodi and her Husband Halis adopted Issac in 2006 at which time they made a vow to help support Issac’s birth family and to maintain a relationship with them in every way they could. Jodi owns and operates Studio 36 and recognized the opportunity to leverage her business and connections to the local art community to help raise much needed relief funds for the Haitian victims. Bring your loose change to the auction as Issac, who is four years old, has started his own fundraising effort by collection coins. So far he has raise about $200 and has a goal to reach $1,000.

During the Silent Auction Fundraiser the Ipanema Bar & Grill on 10 Broad Street in Downtown Bangor will host an authentic Haitian Dinner. Proceeds from the dinner will be added to the funds raised by the Silent Auction. Diners are encouraged to take their evening meal at Ipanema Bar & Grill which is within walking distance of Studio 36 and the Silent Auction.

For more information on this event please contact Jodi Renshaw at 207-385-3940 or jrenshaw@hotmail.com.

###
Attached Photos:


Leaky Faucet: An example of some of the artwork that has been submitted to the silent auction. Photograph by JLR Photography.


Isaac: Isaac Renshaw-Sirimoglu of Bangor, was born in Haiti and is holding a coin drive to support Haitian relief efforts.


Isaac and Daddy: Isaac Renshaw-Sirimoglu and his Dad, Halis Sirimoglu of Bangor. Isaac was born in Haiti and is holding a coin drive to support Haitian earthquake relief efforts. Halis will be flying to Haiti in February in order to assist loved ones in the rebuilding of their homes.

--------------------------------------------

This press release was written and donated by Jason Brown ... a friend to us and to the people of Haiti. Thank you Jason. xo

Love,

Jodi

Read More

The Invitation.

These are the invitations we are passing out in the Bangor area for our benefit auction at Studio 36. Please join us!

Love,

Jodi

Read More

Ashly Dort.

Back in August, we held a fundraiser on this blog to help send as many Haitian children to school as possible. See here for details. Together, we (blog readers & Facebook friends) raised enough funds for one child to attend school - little Miss Ashly Dort. Isn't she absolutely adorable!?

Thank you to all who helped this little girl to attend school ... and to ease some of her Mama's burden.

Here is the info we received once this blog (the collective of all who helped) signed on to sponsor her:

"Ashly is 7 years old. Her DOB is 2 April 2002. She is one of five children. Her mother, Aude, is unmarried and works selling goods on the roadside. She earns between $500-$600/year. Ode struggles every day to keep her family fed, clothed, and sheltered. Some days she loses the battle. For her, providing an education for Ashly was just not a possibility—that is until you stepped in and decided to sponsor her through Haitian Roots. Aude is now full of hope and Ashly is extremely happy to be attending school. Thank you!!! "

However, though I am hopeful that Ashly is alive and well after Haiti's recent earthquakes ... I honestly do not know her fate. Nor does Haitian Roots at this point --- though I absolutely know that they are working feverishly to find all the children that are sponsored by their organization.

Here is yet another way in which the tragedy in Haiti hits home. So many of you helped to sponsor this sweet little girl ... now I also ask you to pray for her and her family ... along with prayers for all the children of Haiti.

And please - help us to help Haitian Roots to continue their amazing work in Haiti. Please consider contributing an item to our upcoming silent auction ... to be held from 4pm - 8pm on Sat, February 6th at Studio 36 in downtown Bangor. We have collected some amazing artwork, local gift certificates, fun items, etc. for the event. And the The Ipanema Bar & Grill will be serving a Haitian dinner at the same time as our event ... with all proceeds from both events to benefit various Haitian relief organizations (Haitian Roots, Hearts with Haiti & Yele).

And perhaps more importantly - please attend! And tell all your friends to attend! Not only will you be able to bid on some gorgeous artwork and handiwork from various local artists (as well as signed books, cameras, services, etc) ... but you can also enjoy a wonderful Haitian meal ... and support fundraising that will go straight to Haiti (100%). That will be a Saturday well spent!

We hope to see you there. This - as I have stated before - is personal. We are ONE. Just look at little Miss Ashly. She went to school because of some of YOU. Now please help her people to rebuild those schools, among so many other things that need to be done.

Love,

Jodi

Read More

Thank You For Your Interest!

Hello to all who are stopping by this blog because they read about our family's story in the Bangor Daily News.

If you are interested in learning more about the family that we are searching for in Haiti, please click here. If you can help us locate them or have any information at all regarding Petit Goave, please e-mail me at jrenshaw@hotmail.com.

If you are interested in learning more about our upcoming fundraisers for Haitian relief, please click here.

Thank you so very much to all of you who are doing what you can for Haiti at this time. This earthquake ... and all the subsequent aftershocks are causing unimaginable suffering in the lives of people who already were struggling to survive.

If you are looking for reputable places to donate to, please consider the following:

http://www.doctorswithoutborders.com/

http://www.haitianroots.com/

http://www.yele.org/

http://www.heartswithhaiti.org/

http://www.lambifund.org/

Thank you so very much. May your thoughts and prayers include the people of Haiti.

Love,

Jodi

Read More

The Fundraiser is on a Roll!

(Children in the Haitian Roots program)

I am so very happy and humbled by the outpouring of support for our upcoming charity auction to benefit various Haitian relief organizations. Here are a list of contributions made thus far (in no particular order):

* Signed copy of Small Worlds: Adopted Sons, Pet Piranhas, And Other Mortal Concerns donated by the author.

* $25 Gift Certificate to Pro Libris Bookstore donated by Eric Furry.

* Handmade Waldorf doll featured in Meg McElwee's upcoming book created and donated by Meg McElwee of Sew Liberated.

* Signed photographs of "Crazy James" and other Big Brother 10 stars donated by James Zinkand.

* An Elephant Sanctuary t-shirt donated by The Elephant Sanctuary.

* A handmade necklace by nationally renowned native artist Jason Brown donated by Jason himself.

* A handmade sweet grass sewing basket created by Donna Brown (an amazing native artist in her own right / also the wife of Jason Brown) donated by Donna herself.

* A photographic art piece by Liz Grandmaison donated by Liz herself.

* A photographic art piece by Jessie Fields donated by Jessie herself.

* A portrait session for one by JLR Photography of Studio 36 donated by me.

* 2 full Preschool curriculum guides on CD-Rom by Itty Bitty Bookworms donated by Tara Rison.

* A gift certificate to Eat More Kale.com donated by Bo - the Eat More Kale guy.

* A handmade "Party in a Bag" created and donated by Kelly of Wood Sprite Hollow.

* The Ipanema Bar & Grill is going to be hosting an event for our fundrasier on Feb 7th. Details to follow.

And oh so much more is in the works. Our friends at Bangor Photo are going to help ... as well as some amazing local artists who are making pieces specifically for this effort. I have also put in word with some Maine "celebs" and am awaiting confirmation of some interesting goodies to add to our auction. In the words of Liz Grandmaison, "Let's Rock This Thing!".

I have yet to go knocking on the doors of area businesses --- but that will happen asap. If you have offered an item/service and do not see it on this list, please let me know. AND/OR if you know of anyone who may be interested in donating an item, please let me know asap.

All items can be sent to:

Jodi Renshaw / 1746 Stillwater Ave / Bangor ME 04401

Questions?

jrenshaw@hotmail.com

Details?

Auction will be held at Studio 36, 128 Hammond Street, Bangor on Feb 6th. Time as yet to be decided. Absentee bids will be accepted via this blog (details to follow).

Thank you all so very much for your support of this country that is in such dire need.

In Love & Peace,
Jodi

Read More

Bill Nathan.

Here stands an amazing man, Bill Nathan, --- holding my son Isaac --- nearly 4 years ago --- while he was visiting Massachusetts. We love this man. Who doesn't? I'll tell you who doesn't --- those who haven't met him yet. Believe me, the world is a better place because this man is in it. And Haiti has more hope with this man as one of its own.

There is so much to say about this man, but I feel at a loss for words. I ask you to please watch this short video to get an idea of who he is --- and to see the amazing rescue he received by one of his friends --- as Bill was severely hurt in the recent earthquake in Haiti.

http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=9589175

Friends tell me that he is doing very well now in the U.S. We are so very thankful. Our upcoming fundraising event will benefit Bill's organization as well as Haitian Roots. If you would like to make a donation straight to Bill's orphanage, please go to www.heartswithhaiti.org.

We are still hoping and praying to find our loved ones in Haiti. Every day without word is more and more heart breaking. Please say a prayer (again). Thank you all.

Read More

Photo of St. Joseph's Home for Boys: Post Earthquake 2009.

I wrote you all yesterday --- telling you of our latest fundraising effort for Haiti. I included a picture in that post of our friends who survived the earthquake. Well, after seeing the picture of what happened to their 7 story building ... I have no idea how they survived ...

... but I am SO very thankful they did.

If you would like to help them rebuild and/or learn of the wonderful things that have happened within those walls, please visit http://www.heartswithhaiti.org/.

To all the St Joseph's family ... we love you so very much. And we are so very thankful that you are alive and well. Help is on the way.

xoxo,

Jodi

UPDATE: Sadly, I just learned that an American guest who was staying at the St Josephs Home for Boys (pictured above) was killed during the quake. I am very sorry to report this and will update as I can.

Read More

Let's Make an Impact!

Our friends at St. Joseph's Home for Boys

Petionville, Haiti, 2006

Building destroyed in earthquake 2009

In light of the tragic earthquake in Haiti ... and of our personal connection to that country ... Studio 36 will be hosting a fundraising event to raise money to aid in the search, rescue and recovery efforts of Haitian Roots, Hearts With Haiti, and Yele. We hope this fundraising event will break records for the Bangor area ... not because we mean to be competitive ... but because we want to make a massive impact on the devastation in Haiti ... and we KNOW Bangor can do it!

More details will follow. For now, we are asking anyone and everyone to consider donating an item of significant value to the cause. Artists, businesses, photographers, people with treasures in their attics, and maybe a bestselling author or two (hmmm... perhaps our own Stephen King?) ... all are invited to contribute to the effort in any way possible.

We are hoping to host the event on Saturday, February 6, 2009 (tentative date), so please keep that in mind if you are wanting to contribute and/or attend.

I (JLR Photography) will be contributing some fine art photography prints. I have also received word that one of my favorite local photographers, Liz Grandmaison, will be contributing some of her prints as well (gorgeous to be sure!). Another friend, Rebekkah Martin, will be contributing some handmade goods. And Samuel Kuykudall will contribute a piece of artwork he is making specifically for this event. Oh .... and so much more is already in the works! Whether you are contributing or not, you will want to attend this event!

I will keep you posted on all efforts for this event here on this blog and on Facebook. Please contact me with any suggestions, ideas, offerings, etc. at jrenshaw@hotmail.com.

All donation items can be mailed to:

Jodi Renshaw, 1746 Stillwater Ave, Bangor, ME 04401 USA

Let's Make a REALLY BIG Impact on the lives of our Caribbean neighbors. Let's make it personal --- because it truly is.

Thank you!

~ Jodi

UPDATE: If you have rec'd a link to this post - in request of your help with this project - please note that all monies are going directly to HeartsWithHaiti (see here), Yele Haiti, and Haitian Roots. These are all organizations that my husband and I have personal connection to as well as direct contact with.

Also - all contributors will receive publicity for their contributions via local media. I KNOW this is not why you are assisting, but please accept is as our way of saying THANKS. When sending us a package, please include any promotional materials you wish for us to display.

Thanks again!

Read More

Haiti.

Haiti is the birthplace of my son. It is where his bio family resides. It is also where Halis and I left pieces of our heart just a few years ago. Perhaps it was a trade off, as we brought some of Haiti home with us as well (both plainly and metaphorically speaking) ... and Haiti is always in our thoughts and prayers.

Last night, unimaginable horrors took place in Haiti ... and our hearts are so heavy for all involved. By now - most of you know of the devastating earthquake that took place there. Perhaps you have seen footage that has brought you to tears, or seen pictures that you wish you had never seen. Or maybe you read about it and did not quite relate to it. In any case, surviving in Haiti is near impossible for some even on the best of days. Some of the things I had witnessed there will forever push me toward doing all I can to help the Haitian people to help themselves (i.e. HaitianRoots.org, HeartsWithHaiti.org, Yele.org, etc). Haitians are amazing, resilient people with a fascinating culture worthy of much respect. I have always maintained a high level of hope for Haiti --- but now --- now I am so scared.

I worry most for my son's birth family. I know nothing of their fate at this point. They are our family. And my heart bleeds for them as I beg God to keep them safe ... wondering if prayers are really worth anything. I mean, does "God" only spare those who have people praying for them? Does "God" pick and choose which babies will live through this devastation, which will suffer for a while, and which have already died. I don't write this here to have a religious debate with anyone (in fact - please don't go there). I write this because I am tired of hearing, "Oh, thank God my ________ was spared. Praise be to Him who has spared my _________." That kind of talk confuses me ... as what is the parent who lost a child supposed to think? That her baby wasn't worthy of God's special grace? That her prayers weren't enough? It does not make sense to me to praise God for saving a life ... and not to curse him for taking one. There are hundreds and hundreds of children under rubble tonight. Some crying out still ... while others are silenced. What of these children?

Wow - I had no idea that when I began this post, I was going to veer off in that sort of "Where-is-God-in-this" type of talk. I have faith. I do. And I have seen amazing miracles in my life. But I get so frustrated with those who talk as though their 'righteous' God has spared their loved ones of some horrific fate ... and praise be to Him ... while others are seemingly forsaken. If my child were lost in an orphanage crash in Haiti right now --- I would want to smack the people who are "praising God for sparing their children" --- and would be shouting out --- "What about MY child?!".

I am very thankful to hear that all of the children in Isaac's former orphanage are alive and well. This brings great comfort ... as I know several people who are waiting for these children to come home to them. And I am so happy that their worries have been replaced by joy. At the same time though, I am reading (on various Haitian adoption forums I belong to) about orphanages that crashed to the ground --- leaving little, if any, survivors. And then my relief turns to utter dismay. I cannot imagine the heartbreak of these parents ... not to mention the Haitian Mamas & Papas who will soon bury their children ... or the countless children who are now orphaned, etc, etc. It is all too much to bear.

Some have mentioned to me that they are thankful my little man is here - safe with me - during this awful time. And I understand that thought, I do. I have held him and cried. Yes, I am thankful he is here, safe, warm, fed, loved, etc. But I cannot begin to tell you the immense pain I feel that his three biological sisters are out there somewhere in this chaos ... that his bio-Parents, Aunties, Uncles, and Grandparents are unaccounted for. Isaac is clueless to this. But Halis and I are not. We want so desperately to keep this family safe. First, because we love them. They have created the most amazing human being I will ever know ... and they handed him over to us to love and care for. But almost equally, I want to keep them safe because I love my son enough to want him to know them. I do not want him to miss out on an opportunity to hug Marjorie and to thank her for his life. I do not want Isaac to miss out on having some laughs with two older sisters who look exactly like him. But I have little control over any of this. Every hurricane and flood has shown me that I have no control over their fate ... and limited ways in which to learn of their safety. But this --- oh this --- is so much bigger. This earthquake is going to devastate for a long time. Medical care, food, water, shelter, communication ... all these things have been horribly compromised. We thought Hurricane Katrina was bad ... well, I must tell you that on a good day in Haiti ... it looks like Hurricane Katrina has paid a visit.

Ugh ... I am so far off track now. I began writing this message to tell you all where I believe are the best places for folks to donate to. Prayers are great --- but money is necessary too. And here is my list of reputable organizations that I hope you all can give at least $5 to.

* http://www.yele.org/ - they are already on the ground and getting things done to rescue people. Your money will go directly to earthquake rescue &response. No "middle man".

* http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/ - I have a friend who was involved in these missions --- and wow, let me tell you - these people get stuff done!

* http://www.heartswithhaiti.org/ - operated by my good friend Father Michael --- the St Josephs Home for Boys is a refuge for street children and ex-slaves --- the work done here is amazing. We have seen it first hand. Sadly, their building has collapsed and they will need to rebuild from the bottom up (it was a 4 or 5 floor building).

* http://www.haitianroots.com/ - this organization is very dear to me --- please check it out. I am not sure how they are going to assist with any earthquake relief efforts, but I assume they will need some funding to fly out to Haiti to check on all the children in their programs.

Thank you for anything you can do for the people of Haiti. I promise you - that whatever you can do might literally SAVE LIVES.

And although I spoke cynically about the benefits of prayer ... I will continue to pray earnestly. I will send heaps of positive thoughts ... and hopes for more miracles. I beg you to do the same.

With Love,
Jodi

Read More

A Little Incentive.

Thank you to those who have pledged their donation to my (our) current Haitian Roots campaign. I am hoping that together - we can sponsor 9 (or more!) Haitian children to attend school this year.

As an incentive for your participation, I am offering one of my handmade journals to the first, tenth and twentieth donors (maybe more as we go along). I have already contacted the first generous donor. She will be receiving The Tortoise and The Hare upcyled Golden Book journal.

How about you? Please consider sending a check for as little as $1. A little bit goes a long way in Haiti. And you may win a prize for doing so :)

Interested? Please read this post to find out more.

Thank you.

xo,
Jodi

P.S. I have posted some of my Belfast, Maine photos here. More to come.

Read More

$1 At a Time ... Can Save Lives.

Now is the time when most Americans are rushing around to get their children ready for the new school year. Millions of parents are shopping for the best deals on school supplies, new outfits, lunch boxes, backpacks and other school needs. Some of these back-to-school children are excited while others are dreading their return to the world of homework and tests.

Yet, just a stones throw away ... in our neighboring country of Haiti ... there are children who want desperately to go to school ... but their parents have no means of paying for it ... let alone paying for school outfits and supplies.

But the thing is ... though it costs nearly an average years salary for Haitian parents to send their children to school (there is no public education there) ... it costs US just $250 a year to send one of their children to school. Imagine that! It is so easy for us to help them so that they may grow to help themselves. Haiti is in dire straits right now - there is no doubt of that - but if we give these kids a fighting chance - they can turn things around.

AND HERE IS WHAT I PROPOSE:

If every person who reads this blog ... and who is on my Facebook and Twitter friend lists ... just sends me a check for $1-$5 (written out to Haitian Roots and fully tax-deductible) ... we can send the following kids to school for the 2009/2010 school year:

Wouldn't that be wonderful?! We could give these 9 kids (not-yet-sponsored kids that I found on the Haitian Roots website - an organization run by a very dear friend of mine) an opportunity at life.

Last year, our family sponsored two young girls (we plan to do so again this year) ... and we received updates on their schooling, including a letter and hand drawn picture by one of the girls. What an amazing feeling it has been to know that a simple donation of $500 - paid directly to the school - has helped to change their lives and the lives of their families.

I encourage you - actually I beg you - to experience that same joy along with us .... and help us to send these kids to school ... where they not only will get the education that every child deserves, but they will also be guaranteed a hot meal each day (something they may not receive otherwise).

Please send a check for $1-$5 (made out to HAITIAN ROOTS) to the following address:

Jodi Renshaw

1746 Stillwater Ave.

Bangor, ME 04401

We will send the whole lot of checks to Haitian Roots & will make updates here on our blog as to how many children could be sponsored with your generosity. We will also be sure to update you about the children via Twitter, Facebook and this blog.

For more information on Haitian Roots, please see their website and blog. If you have any questions about how the money is spent, I would be glad to answer them for you.

As many of you know, our son is from Haiti - and this cause is very dear to us. Thank you for your love and generosity.

Love,

Jodi

P.S. If you prefer to donate via Paypal ... please use this button:

THANK YOU!

Read More

Good News.

I have great news. Really great news.

As you may remember, I have been quite worried about my son's BirthFamily in Haiti. After the intense hurricanes and floods that recently devestated much of their country, I had hoped to connect with them to find out how they weathered the storms. My current liason to the family, a wonderful man named Isson, tried to reach them on a couple of occassions only to find that the phone lines were down. It pained me deeply to worry about them. Deeper than I realized ... because one day, while talking to a stranger at Borders Bookstore, I went on babbling about my son's "missing" birthfamily ... and began to cry over it right there in the store. I am sure that my raw emotion shocked me as much as it did her ... as I had no idea that my fears were that intense ... and that close to "the surface" of my subconscious. But such is the nature of the connections that can be formed through adoption. As long as I am Mommy to Isaac (forever), I carry his BioFamily with me.

Well --- I am so happy to tell you all that Isson was finally able to connect with them. They are safe and well. Amen! And furthermore, they are going to be travelling to PetionVille this weekend to meet with my very dear friend Shannon --- who is travelling there with some of the Haitian Roots team to assist in enrolling several Haitian children into schools --- including my son's biological siblings! Halis and I were able to sponsor Isaac's biological sibs to attend school in their local community through the Haitian Roots sponsorship program and are thrilled beyond words that they are able to meet with Shannon in order to make this happen.

And because my dear friend Shannon is also an adoptive Mom, (and an incredible human being), she "gets" how huge it is for me that she will have the privilege of meeting with the woman who gave my son life. I hope to one day share this privilege, but until then, I am so thankful that it is Shannon who will hug and kiss her for me ... and tell her how much our Isaac is loved. Shannon will also be bringing Marjorie (her name) a photo album of recent pictures of Isaac as well as a gift from our family.

This all means so much to me ... it is a journey that has come full circle ... as Shannon was the woman who led me to Isaac. Several years ago, while Shannon was visiting Haiti, just before Isaac was born ... I asked her to whisper to the wind ... to my "Isaac"... that Mommy was going to find him soon ... and that we would be together forever. She did. I did. And we are. Of course there is so much more to our adoption story. But Shannon is in nearly all of it. And for her to meet the woman who gave my son life is just incredible to me. It is perfect.

(Halis and I visiting with Shannon in Utah, 2005)

I am SO looking forward to their meeting ... I am nearly crawling out of my skin with anticipation. I pray that Marjorie and her family are able to make it safely to the meeting. I pray that they are pleased, content and confident in the life and love that we share with Isaac. I pray that Isaac's BioSiblings will enjoy a wonderful school year. And I pray that Shannon's trip to Haiti will be fruitful and inspirational. Amen.

Love,
Jodi

Read More