Dan's Life Journey - return & repay
Donation protected
Brotherly bonds come in many variations. For most, it starts instantaneously after their sibling is born. For me, it was delayed by 2 years - as in 1985 we travelled to Bogota, Colombia to adopt my younger brother Dan from FANA Orphanage.
By birth he was Jairo Suarez, but through life he has become Daniel Jairo Shank. Dan has always been loyal. Probably part by personality, and probably most by the experiences faced throughout his life's journey.
This past December, Dan married an incredible woman Megan. For their wedding, Megan gifted Dan with a pair of tickets to go back to Bogota - and they graciously invited Jen and I to tag along. This will be the first time that any of us have been back, since we returned back to the US 31 years ago as a family of John, Debbie, Ben and Dan Shank.
Growing up, I'd consider us very priviledged. We always had everything we needed, and much much more. A big home, fun vacations, meals in nice restaurants and all the latest things. Fortunately, our parents taught us that true priviledge comes in the form of Love, Family, Friends and Compassion towards others.
In 2 weeks time, we will be heading back to Bogota to visit the FANA orphanage. This is where Dan's life began, and where we will be able to spend time with the children who currently reside there. It gives us great joy to be able to give back to this orphanage and the 100+ children in need.
We intend to make a donation of both tangible supplies, a party for the children and a cash donation to the orphanage - hence the start of this GoFundMe page.
We started out by gathering our own sets of supplies (clothes, shoes, bottles, sports equipment, art supplies, etc) to donate. Once hearing about our trip, we were overwhelmed by the generosity of so many friends and family that all asked how they could contribute as well. It has quickly dawned on us that our network has a real determination to give back - both to Dan and to the other deserving children that need it most. There is ZERO pressure to donate here. All of you receiving this have already contributed so much to our lives, we just thought you would want to know about this incredible journey we are about to set off on.
We have put our goal at $1 - as there is truly no competitive spirit in this campaign. $1, is one more than the orphange and children had yesterday, and for that we know that they - and we - are grateful.
By birth he was Jairo Suarez, but through life he has become Daniel Jairo Shank. Dan has always been loyal. Probably part by personality, and probably most by the experiences faced throughout his life's journey.
This past December, Dan married an incredible woman Megan. For their wedding, Megan gifted Dan with a pair of tickets to go back to Bogota - and they graciously invited Jen and I to tag along. This will be the first time that any of us have been back, since we returned back to the US 31 years ago as a family of John, Debbie, Ben and Dan Shank.
Growing up, I'd consider us very priviledged. We always had everything we needed, and much much more. A big home, fun vacations, meals in nice restaurants and all the latest things. Fortunately, our parents taught us that true priviledge comes in the form of Love, Family, Friends and Compassion towards others.
In 2 weeks time, we will be heading back to Bogota to visit the FANA orphanage. This is where Dan's life began, and where we will be able to spend time with the children who currently reside there. It gives us great joy to be able to give back to this orphanage and the 100+ children in need.
We intend to make a donation of both tangible supplies, a party for the children and a cash donation to the orphanage - hence the start of this GoFundMe page.
We started out by gathering our own sets of supplies (clothes, shoes, bottles, sports equipment, art supplies, etc) to donate. Once hearing about our trip, we were overwhelmed by the generosity of so many friends and family that all asked how they could contribute as well. It has quickly dawned on us that our network has a real determination to give back - both to Dan and to the other deserving children that need it most. There is ZERO pressure to donate here. All of you receiving this have already contributed so much to our lives, we just thought you would want to know about this incredible journey we are about to set off on.
We have put our goal at $1 - as there is truly no competitive spirit in this campaign. $1, is one more than the orphange and children had yesterday, and for that we know that they - and we - are grateful.
Organizer and beneficiary
Ben Shank
Organizer
Windermere, FL
Daniel Shank
Beneficiary
