Our "Letter from the Chairs" from this Open Hearts Big Dreams 2014
Every year we come together as a group of
volunteers and donors and supporters from around the globe to make this event a reality. Over a
100,000 kids’
big dreams depend
on these
open hearts.
Where did this journey start? For us, it started with a little girl born in Ethiopia 6 and
half years ago. Michael and I had so many fears and questions
about
the journey we were embarking on to expand our family with a daughter who would not
share our biology but
would
be 100% our family. But a
belief that this was our path and that we would find answers along the way
compelled us forward.
We traveled to Ethiopia that first time
with so many trepidations. They were answered beautifully by a wide eyed baby girl who stole our hearts. She reserved her first smile for her new dad and he
has been hers completely since.
In thinking about how to connect our
daughter to our country and help equalize opportunity there, again
the
objective seemed so big
and so
unfamiliar. Doubts about what could we
do rose up
constantly but
the power of collaboration and an enduring belief, in what was possible when people come
together, propelled
us forward. And we are constantly amazed
and humbled by what we accomplished
together
these last three years.
Each time we set the goals and
aspirations higher
because
the kids we serve deserve that,
the questions
return; is
this too big? can
we sustain it? how
we will achieve this new milestone? The
global community always
comes
back with an affirmative answer in so many beautiful and surprising ways.
Going back to see the kids and communities
this
effort supports this summer also provided many joyous answers to any lingering doubts. Kids enjoying a school in the countryside
where before there was
none. Runners becoming tutors and leaders and
discovering their confidence and dreams in the process. Our daughter walking home with new friends
and enjoying
books together.
Knowing she
had a part in their
smiles and joy and they in hers is priceless.
When we again visited the original
library we planted
(with lots
of help)
in
our daughter’s birth town, the school administrator and kids exuberantly
thanked her. She beamed from ear to ear
and has since recounted
how awesome it is there is a library where she was born because of people from
where she lives
now; a wonderful circle completed.
Thank you all for the amazing support and
faith you put each year into what we do together there. It is truly awe-inspiring.
Happy Holidays!
