Let's Bring Kingston Home

One of my dearest friends, Melissa, is hosting a fundraising event for a very special cause. I'd like to invite all of you to join us. Please also invite as many others as you'd like - the more the merrier!

Here's the background...

Just over a year ago, Melissa and her husband Ryan adopted a little boy from China. His name is Everest Chang Chunhui Lentz. Everest is a very special little boy to me - I'm his Godmother. He has a very special place in my heart.

Everest Riding His Bike (with a little of Steve's help)

Everest has a rare skin condition called Epidermolysis Bullosa. As a recent adoptive mother and a mother of a child with a unique skin condition, Melissa often reads blogs by other families in the same situation. While recently visiting one of these sites, Melissa stumbled across a blog for children waiting to be adopted in China.

She scrolled through this site and came across a boy who stopped her in her tracks - the boy looked like Everest, he also had Epidermolysis Bullosa, and is in the same orphanage that Everest was at in Beijing.

When she received the file on the boy, she began to believe that this was Everest's biological brother. They look alike, they have the same rare genetic skin condition (of the 18 million people living in Beijing. less than 350 would have it), and they were found in the exact same manner at the exact same orphanage (both wrapped in red blankets). One doctor Melissa spoke to believes there is a 95% chance the boys are biological brothers.

Obviously, Melissa and Ryan are moving forward with the adoption of this little boy. They are calling him Kingston.

However, adoptions are very expensive. And this adoption wasn't one they planned for like when they adopted Everest. That's where this fundraising event comes in. Melissa and Ryan are asking for $20 donations to attend the event. Beer and snacks will be provided. Children are welcome.

The event details are:
Saturday, March 5th
6:00 PM
The Irish Pub (upstairs)
124 N. Water Street
Milwaukee's Third Ward

If you can't attend the event but you want to help, you can donate directly to the Kingston adoption fund on Melissa & Ryan's blog:
http://redthreadserendipity.blogspot.com/

Steve, Hayden, and I will be at the event. We hope to see you there, too!