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Ready to adopt, but short on funds, Kevin and Sarah Brown reach out to their community — and learn a beautiful lesson in return. 

woman and man holding baby and smiling at baby
After watching a documentary about children growing up in orphanages in China, Kevin and Sarah Brown decided to build their family through adoption. “We reached out to our local homestudy agency and to Holt and started barreling down the path," says Sarah.
white banner that says "today adoption fundraiser garage sale"
While the Browns had ample resources to care for a child who needs a family, what they didn’t have were the funds needed to adopt. Determined, they started to research different ways to fundraise. They planned a garage sale at their church and held a benefit concert featuring singer-songwriters from their hometown. “We raised almost $7,000 in one weekend from those two events, which is pretty incredible,” Sarah says.
several browser tabs each with a different crowdfunding website open
While family and friends rallied around them, they realized how much just sharing their story would inspire their extended community to support their adoption. “We created a blog so people could have insight into why we’re adopting,” Sarah says. They also built a profile on Adopt Together — a crowdfunding site that helps families raise funds to cover their adoption expenses.
button that says families not finances with two photos of adoptive families on either side
Key to their story was the fact that their daughter, Julia, had special needs that might require medical care or specialized therapies once home — an extra expense that more and more adoptive families are now facing. Recognizing this growing need, many organizations now offer grants specifically for families adopting children with special needs, including Holt.
man and woman sitting on porch with baby
Julia had fairly severe developmental delays when she joined her family. But through physical, occupational and speech therapy — and most importantly, the devoted loving care of her parents — she made rapid progress. Through the generosity of their community, the Browns were also able to save for the cost of her therapy — which, “oh my goodness, got expensive,” says Sarah.
man and woman sitting on porch with toddler standing in between
“Don’t be bashful,” Sarah says to those who are just starting to raise funds for their adoption. “You just have to put yourself out there and be vulnerable. And then get ready for an outpouring of love and support.”

For Kevin and Sarah Brown, adoption felt like a natural choice. High school sweethearts from Nashville, Tennessee, they – like many young couples — knew they wanted a family someday. But also like many young couples, they weren’t in any hurry. “Then we turned 35,” Sarah says. After watching a documentary about children growing up in orphanages in China, they made up their minds.

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