The results are in!

We made $752 at the fun run (including what's in the chip in now). THANK YOU everyone! We had a really great time.

There was a reporter there, and we got a write-up: link to the Winona 360 article!


Thanks, everyone! Please pray for Anthony and his future parents tonight!

What to expect at the Fun Run Walk and Roll?

...coffee brewing, hot chocolate stirring, at 9am.
...me, with a bullhorn! Looking forward to that....
...people registering for door prizes, signing waivers to run, putting in donations (preferably via check! Or donate now online! or bring cash, but we can't provide a receipt for that....)
...WSU and SMU students playing games with kids outside the Lodge, and kiddos coloring "kids with disabilities" sheets and other crafts inside
...making signs to walk with (if you want!)
...picking up water bottles to walk/run with, while supplies last. I know it's chilly, but don't get dehydrated now!
...live music by Amanda Grace!
...people picking up information on Reece's Rainbow and adoption in general
...facepainting with Katy Smith!
...door prizes announced at 9:30am!
...then...you're off! Running, walking or rolling around East Lake Winona (or however far you want to go and it's still "fun").
...games, crafts, etc. wind down at 10am.

See you there! Contact me (email at right) with questions!

5th fun reason to do the Fun Run: we've got a $6000 head start!

Yes, we do!

Generous friends told me they have written checks totaling $6000 for Anthony's Reece's Rainbow fund! What a great start!

An international adoption from his region typically costs around $25,000. I know, ouch. There are grants one can apply for, and low interest loans as well: but obviously it is a real gift to both Anthony, who needs a family asap, and his future parents to build up his fund through Reece's Rainbow. This is families helping families, and a beautiful way to honor the value of children with special needs. When we all pitch in, even this kind of money is not so much. So please, whether you come to the Fun Run or not, if you can pitch in a dollar or more, it would be well-used and a meaningful gift.

Can we get his grant up to $10,000? That would almost assure that Anthony would find his family soon. These are wanted children, and families want to adopt--they simply have problems affording the high costs. That is a solvable problem. Let's help them out!

There's nothing like spending a Saturday morning doing good...and seriously, this could save Anthony's life! Register now!

4th fun reason to come to the Fun Run: Door prizes!

Yes, we plan to serve coffee, but it won't look THAT good (see right). You want that fancy coffee, you need to come to the Fun Run, register, drop your name in the hat, and hope you get drawn to win one of the coffeehouse goodies!

• $25 gift certificate to Target: courtesy our friend Beth)
• $25 gift certificate to the Green Mill restaurant: also courtesy our friend Beth
• $5 gift card to Blooming Grounds
• $5 gift card to the Acoustic Cafe
• $5 gift card to Starbucks  (I'm sensing a coffee pattern here....): Courtesy anonymous donor
• Certificate for a free haircut at Ambitions Hairstyling and Tanning

...and more to come, I hope! If you have something you want to donate to this list, please contact me asap. Thank you!

and MANY THANKS to the individuals and businesses contributing to this venture! It's especially generous in this economic climate. Thanks again.

3rd fun reason to come to the Fun Run: the weather will be better than today!

OK, that's not Winona--but it could be today! Wind gusts to 60 miles an hour? Snow farther north? Yikes.

BUT the weather for Saturday morning is dry and cool, probably around 40-43 degrees when we walk/run/roll! C'mon, for Minnesotans, that's balmy! You're a hardy bunch! Plus we start inside the warm Lake Lodge with coffee, hot chocolate, crafts, adoption info, and music....

Register now!

2nd fun reason to come to the Fun Run, Walk and Roll: we've got games!

Parachute play, gunny sack races, bean bag toss, face-painting, coloring and crafts, etc. We'll do this from 9am to around 10am (in case people don't want to actually run, walk or roll--the send off for that is at 9:30am!). We'll do things inside if the weather is bad (although it looks like it will be ok for MN--unlike today's weather)!

Plus I will have a bullhorn, and honestly, you just don't want to miss that! ;)

Invite your friends! Register now!

1st Fun Reason to do the Fun Run, Walk and Roll...we've got music!

I know, we're doing this for Anthony, and he and his future parents need our prayers. But let's remember this benefit is an upbeat celebration of the joy and possibilities of special needs adoption! So we'll be adding fun reasons to do the Fun Run Oct 30th at 9am:



We've got music! Specifically, Amanda Grace (Hardy), a local singer and songwriter, is bringing her voice and her keyboard. She's really talented and I encourage you to come hear her! She may even bring some of her CDs for sale....

Register now, and spread the word for Anthony!

Announcing: The Fun Run, Walk and Roll!

Fun Run, Walk and Roll

Benefit Supporting Special Needs Adoption

Saturday, October 30

East Lake Winona, Lake Lodge

Registration/games start at 9 A.M., Walk/Run/Roll starts at 9:30 A.M.

Music, many games for kids, face painting, coffee, hot chocolate, door prizes

And information about adopting children with special needs

$10 suggested individual donation to walk/run/roll, $25 per family

Register at www.helpforTori.blogspot.com or register on site

All proceeds go through Reece’s Rainbow--a charitable aid organization for special needs adoption--for Tori, a 5 yr old with cerebral palsy who needs a family asap!

You can register through the registration link toward the top of the page. Donate now or at the fun run itself (via check to Reece's Rainbow; memo line: for Tori (9))

Thank you!