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By Tobias Forshtay

Adoption fundraising organization, Raise the Dough, Inc., wants to thank greater Kosciusko County for helping to celebrate an amazing day together. Grace College hosted the nonprofit on National Doughnut Day for the organization’s 6th Annual Adoption Fundraiser. Over 300 guests either came and departed with a dozen donuts, or stuck around to enjoy food, fellowship, and fun at this family-friendly event.

Founder Tobias Forshtay shares, “We prayed all week for 63 degrees, partly cloudy skies, and a couple hundred guests to share the joy of giving back on this special day. What we had today was even better.”

While the weather has been a factor all spring, the skies were indeed clear, the sun was bright, and the network of support was evident. “We had at least 300 friends and family join us in celebrating this day together. Kids were running around consuming donuts, playing games and Oldies 101 filled the air with some classic tunes throughout the morning.”

Forshtay attributes the success of this event to the amazing group of volunteers led by the nonprofit’s executive director, Katie Jacobson. “Katie organized a group of volunteers to serve throughout the event in various ways. There were approximately 50 volunteers that served throughout the morning, which made the event run rather smoothly.”

Raise the Dough, is in the process of approving families for a financial gift to help them realize the blessing of adopting a child. The average cost of adoption is $35,000, and that price tag tends to keep people from pursuing it. The organization seeks to help families who apply for assistance by administering a needs-based financial assessment to determine a gift amount. They have grown to help at around 20 percent of the total cost, and thanks largely to the support of Kosciusko County residents, they’ve been able to partner with 27 families to date.

“Not all are called to adopt, but if you are, we’d love for you to apply for assistance. In fact, we are inviting everyone to get involved as evidenced by our motto; Pray. Support. Adopt.”

Raise the Dough is desiring to say “Yes!” to 100 families in 10 years, so please consider how you might help. Why would you do so? Well… the answer may best be found in their mission statement:

At Raise the Dough, we raise funds for adoption because no child should be without a parent.