Nearly 900 CHI parents and children gathered in Chicago to celebrate 10 years of building families through international adoption. Our theme song “Open Your Heart, America” was most appropriate as families with children from China, Russia, Guatemala, India, Colombia and Vietnam enjoyed planned activities as well as just hanging out together at the Westin Hotel. An appearance by Popcorn Princess Lindsey Toland made the occasion exceptionally memorable for all the little girls she sprinkled with princess dust at the Popcorn Ball.   

Families were thrilled to meet Peggy and Helen from our Beijing office. Many of  us remember these ladies from our trips to pick up our kids. Lyudmilla and some of her associates from Moscow were also able to attend. Thuy, our wonderful Vietnam coordinator, was also there and will be spending a month in the United States

Dwyatt and Melody were presented with a flag flown over the capital in honor of CHI’s 10th anniversary.

David and Gail Wood were honored for their dedicated service as members of the Children’s Hope Board of Directors for the last 10 years.

Thanks to gifts from our Bazaar Vendors and the generosity of many of our families, the traditional Silent Auction hit an all-time high. Over $14,000 was raised for our eye clinic in India as families purchased wonderful gift baskets representative of our program countries. 

Our Big Kids’ Bash kept kids 12 and over going until midnight Saturday. Melody’s new daughter Ting Ting especially enjoyed this new event.

The reunion ended on an uplifting note as the kids joined entertainer Gaia Heartsong in singing “Open your Hearts, America” at Sunday’s Farewell Breakfast. Guests and participants left with only one as yet unanswered question on their smiling lips: “Where are we doing this next time?”