Helpusadopt.org Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Making Family Miracles
Who wouldn’t be hard pressed to avert his or her eyes from this clearly radiant and innocent child?
“However motherhood comes to you, it’s a miracle.” – Valerie Harper
Story, photos by Sharon Kozden
I’ll just come right out and say it: I can’t take much. In other words, I’m highly sensitive, which can be a double-edged sword of both blessing and curse. I’m told that I feel too much yet wouldn’t have it any other way.
Surmising that the Helpusadopt.org 10th anniversary Family Building Benefit at the Overbrook Golf Club in Villanova might require less eye make-up for an evening out (lest the waterworks flow), I played it sparingly. And flow they did–for myself as well as others. Apropos of facial product, the swag bags generously donated by sara happ were a real treat. I’m in awe of the cherry-chocolate lip scrub!
But back to the palpable and unabashedly displayed emotions. I frequently observed what I refer to as “eye juice” being tissue-dabbed. Imagine this emotionally charged evening with success- and life-saving stories about children being adopted by couples and individuals willing and able to provide love and care in abundance.
The event began in a genial, animated setting. A meet and greet in the VIP Founders’ Lounge that featured wine, cocktails and champagne-sipping progressed to a sit-down feast in the reception ballroom. Plied with sumptuous hors d’oeuvres, guests continued making merry. Once plates were cleared, however, the proverbial house-without-a-dry-eye supplanted the previous lighthearted scene. Speakers nearly pin-drop silenced the crowd with heart-melting personal stories of how their families became united through this incredible non-profit organization founded in 2007 by Becky and Kip Fawcett.
Becky and Kip’s personal experience as they endeavored to begin a family is, ultimately, what led to their passion and drive to create Helpusadopt.org. Fraught with unsuccessful attempts that included several miscarriages and close to $100,000 spent on in vitro fertilization, they opted for the adoption route; however, the monies involved were seemingly astronimcal–who could afford it? While the Fawcetts had the financial means to do so and did adopt two children (Jake and Brooke), it wasn’t lost on either of them that a similarly keen longing to begin a family left many others monetarily compromised, unable to fulfill a most basic dream. Neither Becky nor Kip could sit by and do nothing. Allowing an unfulfillable and painful void for those not in a position to shell out some $40,000 (average adoption cost) was unacceptable; they acted in order that others could benefit from their efforts and expertise (Becky is a marketing and public relations executive–the Fawcetts reside in New York City). Talk about a pair of big hearts with a giving back coda.
Check out these figures as well: 230 grants up to $15,000 dollars with some $2 million to date in total by the Fawcetts’ foundation have given those in need nothing less than miraculous opportunities. And to illustrate the values, almost 1,000 grant requests are received yearly with over ten million dollars being the end result. Clearly, the desire for family is a basic human right, which desperately required the vision, purpose and tenacity provided by Becky and Kip. What is especially admirable and note-worthy is that no grant recipient is discriminated against–not by “race, religion, gender, ethnicity, marital status or sexual orientation.”
In retrospect, the emotionality probably began earlier, when Becky introduced Bridgette Mayer, the event’s honoree, who was awarded the Helpusadopt.org “Voice of Adoption Award.” Bridgette is an art dealer in Philadelphia as well as the owner of Bridgette Mayer Art Advisors, a Los Angeles-based consulting firm with full project management specialties including contemporary painting, sculpture and photography. Bridgette took microphone to hand and laid bare to a riveted audience her oft not-for-the-faint-of-heart story of her formative years. Blessedly, said story has a happy ending. While her upbringing was about as far from silver spoon-touched as one could get, the story plays out … well, read Bridgette’s book and learn for yourself how things unfold and progress. As Mayer stated, “I was hesitant for many years to share my childhood story as it was a difficult and dark time for me. It is my hope that in sharing this story, I can light a path to what you can create in your life under the most difficult of circumstances.”
Consequently, she wrote The Art Cure: A Memoir of Abuse and Fortune, sharing “her personal journey from challenges and obstacles at a young age to her journey through adoption, college and foray into the art world.” The book was written so that women who faced “extremely challenging circumstances” could “take different actions and create the life they truly desire through hope, hard work and determination.” I had the opportunity to speak at length with this amazing woman, who is as warm and friendly as her book’s purpose illustrates.
Also on hand for the event (and speaking about her story as a Korean adoptee) was Miss Pennsylvania (2017), Katie Schreckengast. Yes, she did don her crown, and no, it did not fall off. I always concern myself with such things. Not to be missed toward the celebration’s close were dancing and the silent auction. You just know those guests reached deep into their coffers, pockets and checkbooks. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the magnitude of individuals involved in producing such a program. Hats off to all sponsors, to co-chairs Cara and Scott Fudemberg, Jennifer and Michael Miller, Liad and David Pernock and Ina Sargen and all who made Helpusadopt.org’s anniversary a memorable time as well as a massive success.
For more information, visit the following sites: www.helpusadopt.org, bridgettemayergallery.com and bridgettemayerartadvisors.com.
Building families is the business of Helpusadopt.org
Beautiful floral bar décor puts the twig in Twiggy.
VIP reception guests sipped the bubbly.
Becky Fawcett, Helpusadopt.org founder, introduces speaker Bridgette Mayer, 2017’s “Voice of Adoption” honoree.
Bridgette Mayer speaks to a captive audience at the Founders’ VIP sponsor reception.
Bridgette signed copies of her aptly-titled memoir, depicting her discovery of art-as-refuge to navigate and escape a tumultuous, difficult upbringing.
A riveted audience hangs on Bridgette’s every word.
Becky Fawcett and Katie Schreckengast, Miss America 2017 and a Korean adoptee.
VIP reception attendees display copies of Bridgette’s memoir and enjoy drinks in the bar’s lounge.
Ladies know black is always a chic and go-to fashion choice.
Moving from bar area to general cocktail reception ballroom, where shrimp–a classic, perennial favorite–awaits guests.
Quite the spread and alluring display of foodstuffs.
Just one example of the prolific quantity and variety of auction items.
Note the card’s value assessment of this auction item: priceless!
Event special guest Katie Schreckengast takes to podium and addresses rapt audience.
Sharon Kozden and Miss Pennsylvania strike a back-to-black pose.
Be still AND melt my heart. No doubt he was or will be placed in a loving home.
Becky Fawcett becomes emotional. The incredible stories of successful adoptions made possible by the organization impacted many in the same manner throughout the evening.
Another example of a rapt, attentive audience.
Who can look away from precious Emma?
An incredible testimonial to the organization’s affecting and miracle-to-many loving mission.
Blessed couple on hand to express gratitude and share their success story made possible by Helpusadopt.org.
Oh, the stories they could (and did) tell. Another impactful experience shared.
From Left, director on the board of Helpusadopt.org, Liad Pernock, Bridgette Mayer and Becky Fawcett–a formidable trio with a life-changing-for-many purpose.
