Children's Hope International - Upper Midwest Region 1400 E Touhy  Suite 258  Des Plaines, Illinois 60018
Call toll-free 877 225 4855
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Our CHI RUN FOR HOPE team is training hard for the 2008 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Our team will join 45,000 runners from all over the globe as they complete the 26 mile course through the streets of Chicago.  Our goal is to raise awareness of the plight of orphans around the world as we raise $10,000 for CHI's Greatest Need Fund via runner sponsors.

Some of our runners are adoptive parents.  Some are friends or extended family members who have been touched by adoption.  All are Partners in Hope, committed to doing the very best they can to help the forgotten children of the world.

WE CAN ALL PARTICIPATE!!!
Folks whose legs just haven't got  26 miles in them can be CHI Marathon Partners. 
Pick out a runner you like and click on the picture to sponsor your CHI team member. 
BE SURE TO PUT YOUR RUNNER'S NAME AND "MARATHON" IN THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BOX. 
All major credit cards accepted!

	RYAN BEADLE (OH) I am going to be a senior at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago next fall and every year I have seen the marathon go past my dorm and have wanted to do it.  This year I have extra motivation as my family and I are going through the application right now to adopt from Russia.  Your support would greatly be appreciated as I run my first marathon.		STACY MILLER (MN) I am running for my son Juan Camilo whom we adopted from Colombia 2 years ago, and for all the children still waiting for a forever family, and those who may never know that joy. Juan is so special to us and we realize how special each one of these millions of children is.
	JERRY BOUGHER (WI)  This is my first Marathon. I am running to help a phenomenal cause for an organization that has been extremely helpful to my wife and me during our International Adoption process. We our adopting from Colombia and are currently waiting for that call...		JON & STACY PETERSON (IL) Running a marathon has been a life-time goal for both of us. When we found out Children's Hope was forming a team, we decided this was the year to commit! We have witnessed the orphan crisis in many countries and have felt led to personally respond. Running the marathon through CHI gives us another opportunity to contribute towards a cause we feel passionately about.
	SHELLEY COURINGTON (TN)  I couldn't even dream of doing this 2 years ago.  This will be an incredible challenge and an even worthier cause!		JOE RASCHKE (IL) I am running  to keep in shape and contribute to a worthy cause.  Nicholas, my son, gets to ride in the jog stroller, and my wife, Cathy, runs along too on the short runs.  It is a family affair!  I am also matching all donations up to a total of $1000. Make me pay - donate today!
	CHRISTINE LAW (TX) I'm running for CHI because they were instrumental in helping us add our daughter to our family, without their help and amazing support, we wouldn't have Sydney home with us. Just 2 years ago, even the thought of just walking 1-2 blocks seemed impossible.  Now I know nothing is impossible if you are determined enough.		STEVE ZABAWSKY (IL) The reason for entering the marathon was to dedicate the race to my wife and our two sons who were born in Novokuznesk. Just as important, I hope to bring further awareness to CHI and the amazing work they do around the world.  It is my way of thanking CHI for giving me the gift of a wonderful family.
	MATT MCINTEE (IL) I'm running to give back to a necessary and important cause.   My wife Annie and I traveled to Russian in 2004 and 2006 to adopt our sons Patrick and William.  CHI was there for us every step of the way.  They became our extended family and continue to be part of our lives today. we were forever influenced by the many children we met who did not have a home.  Support our cause and donate today.		CHI CHEERLEADER - If you don't have a favorite runner, click on the cheerleader to sponsor our team on to victory!   HOMES, HEALTH AND HOPE FOR CHILDREN IN NEED

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in the NEWS.......

Little Lucy Peavler is just home from Ethiopia but she has already captured the hearts of everyone she's met.  Lucy's new parents, Steve and Page Peavler of Chicago, are thrilled with Lucy's every smile.  __________________________________________________

Two local families received notice of their referrals  from China recently. Elizabeth is coming home to parents Brad Davick and Caroline Sarte of Waukegan, Illinois.   Emily will soon be in the arms of Adam and Karen Schuler of La Grange, Illinois.

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Shane and Kathy Gebhardt of Aurora, Illinois are ecstatic over the adoption of their five-year-old son Trey from Russia.

All three Gebhardt's  look forward to a wonderful summer, playing and getting to know one another!

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Isabelle Eiden's rendition of A Moment Like This  was a big success at her recent piano recital in Chicago.    Isabelle came home from India in 1999 and has been on her way to stardom ever since!

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Right around the corner......

Our CHI Chicago office has every intention of once again marching in the Des Plaines Fourth of July parade. It's a chance to celebrate the holiday with good old fashioned fun while showing  off the joys of international adoption.

We had such a good time last year that we just have to do it again. The parade is held on July 4,  a Friday this year.

Save the date and join the fun!!!!

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Russian Playgroup Starting .....

Chicago Area Families For Adoption (CAFFA) and Families for Russian and Ukranian Adoption (FRUA) are collaborating on a joint playgroup.  For more information, contact Linda Jonas at 630 / 435-1810.

To start or find any type of CAFFA playgroup, email Alice Thode ajcth@aol.com .

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Culture Camp Time .....

Hands Around The World is sponsoring six culture day camps: African American, China, Eastern European, KISS (a Korean, Indian, Southeast Asian Spectacular) Latin American, and a multicultural experience for teens called The Cutting Edge.  Culture Camp promotes healthy identity development by giving adoptees an opportunity to immerse themselves in self-discovery with peers, experience positive mentoring and friendships, share their common experiences, support one another, and learn about their rich heritage and traditions through specialized hands-on activities and classes in ethnic cooking, arts and crafts, native animals, music and dance, puppetry, language, martial arts, ethnic games and more.  Come join in the fun! 

Click on the picture for information and registration materials.

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Being a Multiracial Family
 (Tele-training)

Course: "Being a Multiracial Family" is three-session program examining diversity and how it relates to your family/environment; role-playing - how to handle new situations; and ways to incorporate the changes into your life. You will have the opportunity to talk with adult transracial adoptees.

Three 1-1/2 hr. tele-training calls:

Call 1: How Diversity Affects You- An open and "real" look at race and diversity in society today and how that relates to you and your community.

Call 2: Getting to the details - Role playing exercises give true perspective into everyday situations. Participants discover multiple ways to handle new experiences they will encounter as a multiracial family.

Call 3: The Adoptee's Perspective - A thorough look at experiences among transracial adoptees are discussed as adult transracial adoptees provide personal stories and enlightening insight.

Materials: Participants receive: Self Awareness Guide, Course Manual, Resource Guide, and Homework Assignments
Cost: $125.00 per person Class Time: 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. C

Jun 24, Jul 8, and Jul 22, 2008  /  Sep 16, Sep 30, and Oct 14 /  Nov 18, Dec 2, and Dec 16

CLICK ON THE LOGO TO REGISTER ONLINE

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Cultural Business Opportunity

Z.J. Tong, president of the Chicago Chinese Cultural Institute is looking for a partner for his Evanston Chinese bookstore. The store is located at  611 Dempster St., right by Dempster St. and Chicago Ave. The store specializes in books about Chinese culture for adults and children as well as a few specialty and gift items.  Z.J. has found that he just doesn't have the time needed to devote to the store and keep up with his other CCCI projects.

If you are interested in exploring possibilities for this enterprise, email Z.J. at Tong@Chicagocci.com or call 312 / 842-1988

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Updated: 05/02/2008
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