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| Team Calder T-shirt. Yes. It actually says Team Calder |
I, of course, feel the need to explain why are we needing to raise some funds this late in the game. You know the phrase "long story short?" This is not it. In the words of Jason, I am most gifted in the art of making a "short story long".....I love everyone to have back-story - no matter WHAT story it is, and this is no exception. (If you are not a backstory lover, but would like to support us by buying a shirt, here's a tip - scroll to the end to find out how :)
So the long of it is - with all the delays we have experienced it has brought on unexpected extra expenses. Little Miss has been at our agency's transition home since we accepted her referral early March and since that point, we have been paying for her care. We had 7 months of care budgeted (which should have given us breathing room, cost wise).....however, we are currently on month 9 and not done yet (at now $350/mo., as the price increased last month). Due to Little Miss's size, we have also been providing her specialized formula since early June and sending it over by the case, and she goes through one can in 3 1/2 days (which equals a lot of formula purchased over the last 5 months) Add onto that a homestudy update in June and a hospital bill in October? You get a whole lot of things that were not factored into the budget. We have been praising the Lord that thus far we have had the ability to cash-flow (albeit difficult) those extra things out of our budget.
If it had only been those things? We would have been fine. Tight, but fine. However, now our delay has brought us something else that looks to be inevitable.....plane travel around the holidays, most likely in December. What does that mean? Airfare will pretty much be double the price it would have been had we traveled at almost any other time during the year, and when you double the price of already pricey airfare? Oh my. That is overwhelming. Then when you also factor in plane tickets purchased somewhat "last minute" (as there is normally less than two weeks notice to be in country after court dates are assigned)? Oy. We had budgeted for average airfare, not insane holiday airfare.
Those added travel expenses combined with the extra funds we've already cash-flowed in the last 6 months because of the delay? Has left us in the position of needing some help late in the game. Honestly, it is hard to be vulnerable and throw ourselves out there again, especially considering all the support we've already experienced.
But then it hit us. T-shirts. People love a good T-shirt. Since we have not yet done anything with supportive adoption wear (think T's not underpants - because that would just be awkward) AND with so many people following our story? Perhaps this would be a great opportunity and potentially one of those famed Win/Win situations.......people, who have been following Little Miss's adoption story, now would have a chance to step INTO the story - WIN! (and get an awesome shirt to boot!) AND Jason & I could potentially have this unexpected financial strain lifted - WIN!
So - this is your chance to jump INTO the story. Not only will a portion of the cost of the shirt help us get little miss home, but it is also a great way to visually stand with us.
The shirts were designed by Fund The Nations. This company works differently than a lot of companies. The T-shirts are pre-sold before ordering and printing (think how the whole girl scout cookie thing works). This enables us not to have any upfront costs OR left with extra shirts to sell.......there it is again - another win/win!
Awesome, right?
Since the T's are pre-sold AND our traveling is hopefully happening next month - we will only be taking orders for these shirts for a very limited time. 12 days total. Short and sweet (very unlike me or my writing) The final order will be placed on the morning of NOVEMBER 17th. Shirts will be printed in about one weeks time and to you (ready to wear) soon after!
If you dislike T-shirt apparel (although I really can't imagine anyone falling into this category - since personally I'd give just about anything for a good T-shirt, but that probably says something about me), and still want to help? We would obviously welcome that - however keep in mind that we are not a 501(c)3, so any donations would not be tax deductible.
The suggested donation is $20 for adult sizes (standard shirt sizes) and will be printed on a super soft cotton Tshirts. Suggested donation is $15 for youth sizes (Youth XS-L) and will be printed on regular cotton Tshirts. All shirts fit true to size. We will deliver if you are local - but shipping (if needed) is $3 per shirt.
So, how does one go about purchasing this amazing T? There are two options:
1. Click on the paypal "donate" button in the sidebar located at the top right of the blog:
- Enter the total donation amount (which will be based on how many shirts you want)
- Enter payment information (you can either login to paypal, or if you don't have a paypal account just click on "don't have a paypal account?" to use a credit or debit card)
- Then click on "Review donation and continue"
- The next screen has a spot to leave a message for the seller (me) before completing your transaction....please enter the size/s information and quantity you need here.
- In the email include the size/s information and quantity (address if you are not local)
- I will send you our home address so payment can be sent via snail mail by check.
- OR, of course, if Jason or I see you in our daily lives, shirt payment can be in person!
Why did we choose this particular shirt? One Less? Easy. Identity. There are many numbers as to the true number of orphans in the world, some estimates come in at 147 million - but that all depends on how you define an orphan. Are the parents living, but impoverished, so the children aren't in their care? One parent alive, but can't support? Abandoned? A double orphan (meaning both parents have died). The count can vary based on what you are specifically counting. We chose One Less, because regardless of what the stats are - little miss will soon be One Less. One Less Orphan. Her identity will change. Orphan to daughter. Unattached to anyone in the world to attached. Part of our family, forever a Calder (even when she weds and changes that last name - although don't mention that to her dad :) Oh how that reminds me of my own adoption in Christ......
So, what happens if we get blown away by support and take in more than we need? Or what happens if we don't end up traveling during the holiday season? Hard to imagine, but should either one be the case.....it will go towards donations to bring when we travel AND towards things that can only be purchased in country. Plans were already in the works to fundraise for a much needed WASHING MACHINE for the orphanage which Little Miss's story began (the cool thing is we already have some of the funds raised for this specifically do to some amazing friends/family). However, there are so many needs and this is SO where our hearts are, we would not run out of amazing places to put any amount should there be an abundance!
Whether you can help support financially through this fundraiser or not, please know how thankful we are already to have the prayer support and emotional support of those following the story!
One last thing. If you do happen to become a shirt purchaser - for Team Calder - could you do us one last favor? (beyond reading my lengthy "short story long" posts, ha!) Once the shirt is delivered, it would be amazing to have you, your family, or whomever has a shirt take a picture WEARING it - to send to us, for little miss. How amazing would it be for her to someday not only hear about the support for her as we awaited her arrival, but to also see it? To always have a tangible visual of how much she is loved? Powerful.
Oh girl. You are loved.
Thanks all.
*Questions? Need more explanation than described the epic novel I just wrote? Feel free to ask/email cherylrcalder@gmail.com
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