"Raising a child can be the most fulfilling adventure in life.  And that's what many of you have told us when we've talked about starting our own family.  For several years now, we've wanted to start that adventure ourselves.  But now we need your help."



Ross and Andrea live in Erie, PA and have been married since 2009.  They have an life-loving, easy-going sense of humor and nothing but love for their families, friends and each other.  Ross is an Online Sales and Marketing Manager while Andrea teaches 4th grade just down the street from their little cape cod home, centered in a peaceful neighborhood just west of the city.  They love music and the arts.  Their home is filled with crafty and cultural bits as well as several adopted cats and a dog.  The couple is well into their 30's and they're ready to start their family together and have a child of their own.


But Andrea and Ross can't have a child. 

For years they tried.  When they finally got pregnant, it seemed like a miracle.  But six weeks later, the doctors told them the baby had died.  The news was devastating.  The termination was likely due to blood incompatibility.  Andrea's Rheumatoid Arthritis and the medication she requires to live a semi-normal life would prevent any future pregnancy and the RH incompatibility made other pregnancy options an unlikely gamble at best.

But there's another option that would promise them a family...adoption.  After much consideration and soul searching, they knew that this was the right path for them.  Andrea's years of teaching elementary school have exposed her to kids from so many different backgrounds, home lives and situations.  How could they not adopt, knowing that there is already a child out there who needs a family?

Adopting a child isn't easy; You can't just hail a stork.  In today's world, you must be connected to adoption networks, pass rigorous background checks, review and fill out mountains of paperwork, go through training, work with professionals and lawyers to coordinate across state lines, medical expenses for the birth mother and the list goes on.  Because of this, most adoptions cost $40,000 or more.  And there are little-to-no grants, insurance plans, or government programs to help with this cost.

Ross and Andrea are halfway there but they can't bridge that gap alone.  They have been working with the international adoption agency, American Adoptions, based in Kansas City, KS.  Nearly all the paperwork is in, their home study and background checks are complete and now they just need the funding to bring it all together.  Unlike other crowdfunding campaigns, you won't be buying into a startup or project that promises a product in the end.  Instead, you're giving one of the most precious gifts of all: You're bringing a family together.



"We have been blessed by the love and support of our friends and families through this whole process.  We've come so far and we're just within reach of finally having our own kid.  We still need $20,000 and we can only do it with your help.  Even if you can only give a couple bucks, it will mean the world to us."

Not everyone can give but anyone can support.  Share their story to others, wish them well on their journey and make their wish of starting their family come true.

Thank you for your love and help.