In 2004, Mark and Mary-Jean grew their family through The AFTH China Program when they adopted their daughter, Mia. Their family blossomed and the couple then decided to go through the program again, adopting their daughter Celia in 2007. Mia and Celia’s parents raised two beautiful and upstanding young ladies, most recently evidenced by Mia’s 13th birthday.
Leading up to her 13th birthday, Mia wanted to do something different, something special. She didn’t want her friends and family to give her gifts. She felt the generosity of her loved ones could be put to better use. Mia told her parents that she wanted to ask her family and friends to contribute money instead of giving her birthday presents, and she would then donate that money to a great cause. Her father and mother also remarked that “in the last year, she [Mia] has really been thinking outside herself.” This decision only further illustrates Mia’s kind heart.
After spending some time trying to decide which cause Mia wanted to donate her birthday money to, it finally struck her. She heard an Adoptions From The Heart advertisement on the radio. She decided to donate the funds to the AFTH Expecting and Birth Parent Support Fund. This would help expecting and birth parents in need, both before and after placement of their child. Mia, an adoptee herself, thought long and hard about where she wanted to send her generosity. AFTH felt honored to accept her gift and will put it to good use helping others in need.
On a rainy Wednesday in July, Mia and her family brought smiles to the AFTH employees. They stopped by to tell Mia’s story and donate her gift. Everyone felt touched to see that level of compassion in such a young woman, her parents included. They were so proud they decided to match the donations Mia received, doubling her donation to the fund.
One social worker at AFTH spoke up during the visit to explain what Mia’s $700 donation really meant. “We’ve had expecting mothers who don’t have a mattress to sleep on. Through the kindness of people like you, we are able to help these people be safe and healthy during and after what is already the most difficult time in their lives.
In addition to donating her birthday gift, Mia and her family spent time chatting with AFTH employees. They also posed for a picture with AFTH Assistant Director, Heidi Gonzalez, and Coordinator of International Services, Roberta Evantash. Evantash, a social worker who served as the China Program Coordinator, initially helped bring the family together. Her family shared that Mia is excited to continue her philanthropic work. She has already spent time volunteering at the local preschool she attended as a child. This summer she is also heading to the Bahamas for a mission trip! Thank you to Mia, her family, and all those who help support the Expecting and Birth Parent Fund, the Birth Parent Scholarship Fund, and the Adoptions From the Heart mission.
