Doug's Girls

Several years ago, our friend Doug Stoddart assumed custody of his neice after the untimely passing of his brother and his brother's wife.   It was already a challenge juggling a demanding journalism career and serving as his neice's guardian, but not long after she moved in, Doug met one of her friends, a teen mother struggling to manage raising her child and staying in high school with very little support from her family.

Doug began assisting the girl both financially and by watching her daugher Evelyn, whom, over time, he began to love as his own child.  

Despite the assistance and guidance Doug offered, Evelyn's mother continued to struggle and soon found herself pregnant again.   The situation worsened and Doug soon learned that the mother was living in a hotel room with the two girls in an evironment that would likely see the girls fall into same pattern as their mother, if they even survived.

One day Doug received a call that the younger girl, Kira, who was just a toddler had "fallen off the bed" and broken her leg.  The Department of Health and Human Services stepped in and Doug knew that he had to get the children out of that environment and give them a good home.  Thus began the long, arduous process of adoption.

On September 5, 2016 the adoption was complete and Doug proudly announced on Facebook:

After 2 1/2 years (930) days of foster care, chaos and uncertainty. I can finally introduce my new daughters 4-year old Evelyn and 2 year old Kira. Huge relief to finally have them all to myself, and thankful for all the support from friends and family who have helped me and the girls finally become a family.

Doug is an amazing father with a huge heart.   We're starting this GoFundMe to benefit the girls in the spirit of the 'it takes a village' philosophy.  We're encouraging friends and family to donate what they can to assist with the girls' education and other needs. 

This will be an ongoing fund and the hope is to draw from it periodically.

Thank you!