Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle for Parrish Family

Meet Anna and Steven Parrish! Anna and Steven were introduced to one another while attending Brooklet United Methodist Church in late 2009. It wasn’t long before the couple began dreaming about their futures together and the children they would one day raise. They both knew that adoption would be a part of their story someday.

They were married in December 2010, and after experiencing years of infertility and other closed doors, the Parrishes learned of a little boy named Eddie living in Eastern Europe. They began to pursue Eddie for adoption. In August 2015, Anna and Steven made it home to Perry, Georgia, with finalized adoption paperwork and the newest addition to the Parrish family. Shortly thereafter, God called the Parrishes to adopt Rosa, home November 2016 and Victor, home December 2017. That’s a grand total of three international adoptions within about three years! God used grants, fundraising, and the generosity of so many to fund each adoption. Because of this, these children were given the love, safety, and security afforded by a stable family. Nine months after Victor came home, the Parrishes welcomed their first biological child, Karyn, in September 2019. Beautiful children brought into a beautiful family in God’s perfect timing.

The days can be hard and far from perfect, but there have been wonderful transformations. Anna and Steven have laid down their lives, energy, time, space, money, and countless comforts to bring children in and provide them with a loving family and home. Since coming into the Parrish family, the kids have experienced improved health, top-notch medical care, wholesome meals, tender affection and care, quality education, and a variety of other needs that have been met. These years have included school around the dining room table, Ellie Holcomb dance parties, trips to the Christmas tree farm, play dates, camping weekends, bike rides, pool playtimes, doctors appointments, surgeries, and lots of fundraising.

The year 2021 was full of beginnings and endings, rejoicing and heartbreak. Once again, Anna and Steven began the adoption process for a sweet little girl in South America. During the adoption process, their son, Victor, became ill and passed away in July. This was an incredibly difficult season for the Parrishes, but there was never any doubt that God was calling them to continue this adoption process. Unfortunately, the sweet little girl passed away before they had the chance to meet her.

Anna and Steven knew that the Lord had more in store for them, impressing upon their hearts a desire to adopt once again, but this time, a set of twins! Specifically, a set of twins God had lain on their hearts years before. God opened the door for the Parrishes to officially begin their adoption process for Alexander and Antoanetta (Toni). In February 2022, they discovered that the twins have a little brother, Rosen (Ross). It became official that the Parrish family would be growing by THREE!

Anna and Steven met the children in July, were court approved in October, and will all be together as a family in November. What a gift it will be for their family of 8 to be together under one roof!- Anna, Steven, Eddie (10), Rosa (9), Alexander (8), Toni (8), Ross (5), and Karyn (3).

The Parrishes have inspired, supported, and encouraged so many. Now it’s our turn to bless them! With six children, two wheelchairs, a wagon, and a whole host of car seats, they are in need of a vehicle that can better accommodate their family. As the children continue to grow, their need for mobility assistance also grows, making it increasingly more difficult for Anna and Steven. A new vehicle would be a tremendous blessing for them. When you give, you give towards an accessible vehicle with space for their entire family. Several vehicles that would meet the needs of the Parrishes have been sold for approximately $30,000. Suppose the Parrishes purchase a vehicle for less than the amount raised. In that case, the additional funds will be used for other provisions needed in bringing home their three newly adopted children. If you can give $5 towards this vehicle, thank you. If you can give $500 towards this vehicle, thank you. If you cannot give and instead share this fundraiser with your friends and family, thank you.

Thank you for being a part of the Parrish Family Story. It's a phenomenal one and we can't wait to see how this GoFundMe becomes a part of it.

You also may be interested in seeing a news story that Fox5 did with the Parrishes after Rosa came home!

https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/former-orphan-begins-life-changing-operations-in-georgia