Six years is too long for a child to spend without a family. My sweet Diana has been waiting patiently in Kyrgyz orphanages to join my family since we first met in 2008, shortly before Kyrgyzstan placed the first of two moratoriums on intercountry adoptions. But another window is opening. Kyrgyzstan has re-re-started their intercountry adoption program. And I am trying for a third time to bring Diana home, to be her family at last.

In 16 days, the 'Kwyltyng To Kyrgyzstan' community that came together via Fundrazr and Facebook helped me raise $10,000 to take a bite out of the cost of my travel expenses back to Kyrgyzstan this spring. I was (and still am) astounded and humbled by the show of support I have received. And I knew immediately that I needed to become a supporter, myself. So I refocused my efforts to help four other families, who are also in need of financial assistance as they prepare to head back to Kyrgyzstan to complete their long overdue adoptions, by my side. 

Because no one likes asking people for money outright, I created the Kwyltyng To Kyrgyzstan fundraiser: for every $25 people donated, they earned a virtual raffle ticket. Winners were selected at random, with gorgeous kwlyts (quilts), handmade by my friends and me, as prizes. The raffle began on June 1 and I suspect the final quilt will be claimed by June 15. All donations beyond my $10,000 amount are being divided among the Shimkus, Fenske, Bean and Reickerd families. You are still welcome to donate to these families here if you choose. I will see to it that they receive your funds. Just know that the kwylt raffle portion of this fundriaser is over. Thank you very much for your support!