Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Walk for Kaz 2010

Wow, I simply cannot put it into words how absolutely amazed I am by the first annual Walk for Kaz. It surpassed our expectations and I know I spent Saturday with happy, overwhelmed tears threatening to spill over - okay, a few may have even snuck out but don't tell anyone.


The total raised was $10,123.28!!! Thank you so much to everyone who supported this event in so many different ways! The money raised will go to provide new beds and mattresses for 100 children in the Ulan orphanage in Taraz. We hoped to contribute to the new bed project and instead, we ended the day with the project fully funded! What incredible support and love - we are so blessed!

I'm so thankful to have been a part of planning this event with three wonderful friends. We travelled together back to Kazakhstan in May and were once again reminded of the great need. Having the opportunity to raise money, to raise awareness, and to provide for the basic needs of orphans is a great privilege. My heart overflows with thankfulness. 


Andrew and the boys walked - I'm so proud of the boys for making it the whole 3.1 miles! They had a wonderful day. Our family raised $250 - thank you to those who sponsored my guys to walk! 


And finally, how about some more pictures of our fantastic, blessed day?
















Lunch was delicious! We had a playground, bounce house, face painting, and toys for the kids! I can't say it enough - it was a FANTASTIC day!

*Photos - almost all of the photos were taken by my Dad (our photographer for the event!).

12 comments:

Heather L. said...

I love your logo!!! Somehow hadn't seen it before. I'm so happy that everything went well and that so much was raised!!! God answered prayer!!

Lisa said...

What an amazing event and what a huge blessing to have raised not only awareness but necessary funds for such critical needs!!

I'm so proud of this incredible Kaz. community!!!

Mama10EE said...

It looks like you had a wonderful day and my heart is glad that these sweet kids will have new beds to sleep in. Love the picture of you and Ty.

liz nelson said...

great pictures! what an awesome event/day. i'm so glad it was even more successful than you could have imagined. we enjoyed participating!

Karon said...

I am so proud of all of you and I am glad I could support in $ if not in person. Thank you so much for helping us all remeber and giving us a way to help those who we left behind.

B.D.Riehl said...

I'm sitting here sniffling away. I am so glad you had such a great turn out, that the need was MET and that you are so willing to make us aware of the needs of these precious ones. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

minime0910 said...

It was an amazing event and I know I speak for the Kaz community when I say we are so grateful to the wonderful planners who worked so hard to make it happen!! Thank you!!! See you next year! Erin and Hannah

Gretchen said...

Great pictures! I can't wait to see them all.

We had so much fun and were so happy to be a part of this with you!

Thad and Ann said...

I have tears in my eyes AGAIN just looking at these pictures, I can't wait to see more of them! And I adore the photo of Thad holding Asa, awwww!!

Sandy and Rob said...

wow - i'm so impressed! did you start the two hearts organization? really, alaina - this is amazing; you went to kazakhstan for a family - and you received a calling. way to be faithful!

can't wait to meet you and your family for real one of these days...sigh, i guess we'll have to plan that some time! i guess for now the internet isn't a bad substitution. ;-)

Alaina said...

Hey Sandy! I did not start Two Hearts - two of my good friends did! I definitely cannot ever forget the beautiful kiddos left behind.

It would be awesome to meet you in real life! Hope things are going well!

JennaN said...

I just read this post. Congratulations! What a huge success and what a tangible (and absolute) positive outcome your efforts will have!