Saving Lives - Urgent Need Today!

A quick post this morning, asking you to help a family in need with a 2-day deadline...  You know I don't usually do this kind of thing, but I can vouch for these folks...

I first met Kelly and Kyle Dirkes about a year and a half ago at the home of a friend - they were just a few short weeks away from adopting their first child, Charlotte, a little girl with Down syndrome, from an orphanage in Russia.  Their first child.  With Down syndrome.  4 years old, in danger of being turned over to a mental institution on her 5th birthday.

I met them for the 2nd time at the airport, on their return from Russia, beautiful little Charlotte in their arms, ready to take America by storm.  And we've been friends ever since, little Charlotte and Samantha fast friends as well.

Kelly and Kyle have incredibly generous hearts, and have made a journey for a calling that most people couldn't even begin to contemplate.  And they're doing it again. 

Another child, a little girl they will call Louisa, in a baby home in Eastern Europe, lies in her crib, waiting for the mother and father she doesn't know even exist.  Waiting for the big sister she doesn't yet know.  And Kelly and Kyle are traveling next week to go and meet her, to go to court, to be given the parental rights to bring her home. 

And listen, folks, this endeavor ain't cheap.  They've almost got what they need, but a critical piece of funding has fallen through in the 11th hour, and they need your help to seal the deal, $10,000 needed in the next two days to allow them to travel. 

And they're willing to do what it takes to get it, to get their baby girl. 

Just ripped off her header image of Charlotte and Louisa - I'm pretty sure she won't mind...

Kelly has decided to put her engagement ring up for grabs.  One of the very few pieces of jewelry she wears, and certainly the most sentimental.  For every $20.00 an individual donates, they will have a chance to win that ring.  And, to be honest, I'm hoping that whomever wins this ring will do the right thing and let Kelly keep it...but that's up to you...

There's a link at the top of my right sidebar to donate.  You can also visit  http://projecthopeful.org/matched-families-2/ (scroll all the way to the bottom to find their family) or  http://reecesrainbow.org/?s=Stori.

Please share this post, on Twitter, Facebook, on your blogs, wherever.  (E-mail me if you need codes or html for the post.)  No donation is too small - it all adds up!!!