Fashion Heads 'Over the Rainbow' at IAC's Passport to Forever
By Julie Strasser
A celebration of all the International Adoption Center (IAC) at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center has accomplished in six years (and a glance at what is developing for the coming years) went "Over the Rainbow" September 26, 2005. More than 475 people had a great opportunity to see, hear and experience firsthand how the IAC has made an impact not only in our local community, but the world.
The morning started with a silent auction of hundreds of items and champagne reception. Everything from spa packages, jewelry to children's bedding and books, handknit baby sweaters and Bengals' game day passes were available for bid. Many international items were taken home as well from countries including Haiti, Russia and Guatemala. The auction was a huge success and we thank all our participants and donors.
As guests were welcomed into the luncheon a video showed the work accomplished in Guatemala this past summer. They were able to see how Moms on a Mission touched so many people from patients and birth mothers to babies and families — what testaments to the outreach of the IAC community.
Susana Luarca is living proof that adoption affects the hearts of so many. As she graciously spoke of individual children who have motivated her daily life, career and personal family everyone realized how much adoption changes people. Susana shared with the audience how her own children came home to a forever family and how she personally takes to heart each child she encounters. The IAC is grateful for her words of inspiration and her courageous daily work in Guatemala as a mother and attorney.
The stage came to life during the afternoon with the colors of the rainbow as more than 35 children modeled clothes from The Children's Place. Each and every model did an outstanding job and looked terrific in everything from Halloween costumes to holiday attire, pajama sets to winter coats and hats.
The 2005 Passport to Forever helped international adoption come to life in full color. The event raised nearly $90,000, which will help support the IAC's mission of family-centered services, continue to raise the standard of care for internationally adopted children and begin to expand to new areas of postadoption support in the near future. It is the support of our platinum sponsors, the Cooperative Society and Junior Cooperative Society, that make this possible.
Thank you to all the volunteers, parents, friends and families that support the Passport to Forever and to cochairs Sharon Hudson and Nancy Kayes for the continued support they give. While the International Adoption Center may have been a dream for Mary Allen Staat, MD, MPH, years ago it is helping make dreams come true for so many families around the United States today.
