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Rose Hawn was in the process of raising her four adopted girls, when cancer stripped her of her health and eventually her life well before it was time. Rose passed away in May of 2013 at the age of 60. Her four girls were all adopted from China by Rose between 1998 and 2006.
Rose put up a strong fight and fought the disease with all that she had. Nevertheless, when she came to the realization that the cancer was advancing and that her time was limited, she made a request to her best friend of 40 plus years, Deb Christopoulos-Kirt. She asked Deb to become the legal guardian of her four children.
Deb, and her Husband Charlie, have raised five children, all of which are on their own. At this point in their lives, they were empty nesters that enjoyed spending time with their children's families and their five grandchildren. While they could have shied away from the request, they promised Rose that they would take care fo her girls.
Deb and Charlie made several trips back and forth from Grand Rapids to Indianapolis (Rose's home), they sold their townhouse and purchased a larger home, Charlie spent nights and weekends remodeling their home by adding additional bathrooms and bedrooms. This past June, the four children moved to Grand Rapids with Deb and Charlie.
The children all come from different orphanage's in China. None of the girls are related to each other, and all were either dropped off at an orphanage or found abandoned on the streets. The children were given American names at adoption, Aimee, 20 Halle, 20, Jaide, 17 and Rachel, 15.
Aimee was adopted in 2003 by Rose at the age of 9. Aimee is now 20 years old. She has graduated from high school, and is currently enrolled at Grand Rapids Community College as a sophomore. She loves tennis, reading and riding her bicycle. Aimee has a physcial disability in that she does not have a right leg below the knee and missing all of her toes on her left foot. When she was adopted she was fit with a prosthetic leg, and, as she was growing, revisions and further prosthetics were obtained. Her current prosthetic leg does not fit correctly, due to her growth, and it is failing with a large crack. Rose met Aimee when she was adopting Rachel, as Aimee was the caregiver for Rachel in the orphanage. Rose could not bear leaving behind Aimee, so she adopted Aimee as well.
Halle was adopted in 2006 by Rose at the age of 12. Halle is now 20 years old. She has graduated from high school, and is also currently enrolled at Grand Rapids Community College as a freshman. She loves making origami and riding her bike. Halle writes beautiful poems and could publish her poems if given the chance. She hopes to get a job as a translator and wants to go to college to study computer engineering. Halle likewise has a physical disability. She was badly burned as an infant and does not have full use of her right arm.
Jaide was adopted in 1998 at the age of 9 months. Jaide is currently 17 and attending Forest Hills Central High School in Grand Rapids. Jaide is a very talented artist and is just beginning to understand the artistic gifts that she has. Jaide is participating on the High School swim team and honor society.
Rachel was adopted in 2001 at the age of 2. Rachel is currently 15 years old. She is also attending Forest Hills Central with a 4.0 grade point average. Rachel enjoy reading, playing the flute and wants to be a doctor. Rachel has a physical disability in that she does not have right inner ear canal. She has had multiple corrective surgeries over several years, however, she remains deaf in her right ear.
All four girls are wonderful individuals, and Deb and Charlie have taken to raising the girls with all their heart. They exemplify selfless, genuine and kind people. My husband Jovan and I know the Kirts through some of their grown children. We admire their energy, adaptability and strength.
We approached the Kirts to ask them if we can do a fundraiser for the girls. We know that raising a child is not without expense, and here Deb and Charlie have four. While you are getting ready for the holidays this year, can I ask you to please find it in your heart to make a donation to this amazing family. Deb and Charlie are very giving people, and they would not ask for the financial help for the children, so I have taken the initiative to ask you to help the girls.
Thank you and have a blessed holiday season.
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