Madison Adoption Associates

Did you know November is Adoption Awareness Month?

Since I am currently interning at Madison Adoption Associates we thought it would be a great idea to have a picnic November 1, 2008 for all our adoptive families, friends and anyone else interested in adoption. The picnic will also be a fundraiser for Madison, in hope to support the ongoing efforts of adoption.
I would be especially appreciative of any support you could provide
(please see below on how you could help).
As I truly believe this is an incredible cause, this internship has been moving and extremely inspirational because I realize it is organizations like Madison that are greatly affecting the lives of children.

Madison began placing children in 1981 and is currently assisting with adoptions in China and Japan. We are also working on developing new programs in Ghana and Burkina Faso. Along with these efforts, Madison is developing a domestic adoption program that is highly desirable due to its flexibility and availability of infants
Today, although we still operate as a small agency, our efforts over the last 27 years have resulted in more than 1500 children knowing the joy of belonging to a loving family.

Here is how you can help:
Making a cash or check donation to Madison Adoption Associates which will be used to buy products to be raffled off during our November Picnic
We also would love your personal involvement if you would be more interested in donating a specific item to be raffled off such as,
*Gift Cards that can be used nationally (Target, Wal-Mart, Barnes and Noble, Chain Restaurants etc.)
*Items for Children ranging in age, infants to teenagers, examples of these items are:
-Bicycles -Regal Cinema Tickets -Books -Clothing -Sporting Equipment
*Items for adults *Items for Pets *Items for families

Money raised during the Picnic Raffle will assist Madison in realizing our mission of placing children with loving families:
Waiving fees for families adopting waiting children
Aiding in the development of new programs in Ghana and Burkina Faso, Africa
Helping support an orphanage in China
Supporting the development of our domestic program

*All Donations are tax deductible; Madison will send you a receipt after we receive your donation

We will need all donations by October 20th.
Feel free to contact me at any time with questions. If you would like to write a check, you can mail it to:
Madison Adoption Associates
1009 Woodstream Dr.
Wilmington, DE 19810
If you have a gift you would like to donate, you may mail it to the address above or to me at:
Allison Wager
1160 N. New St.
West Chester, PA 19380
(315) 694-1293
allison_wager@yahoo.com

Or call me for other arrangements ( I will most likely be coming to NY in October, so I would be able to pick up the donation in person).

Bucket List

Kim is always telling me to write down my “Bucket list”. She says if you write it down or tell someone you will be held accountable and actually accomplish what you set out to do.

Here are some things I put on my “Bucket list”

1) Get a Masters in Social Work
2) Open an Adoption Agency
3) Get my pilots license
4) Travel to at least 5 continents.
5) Live in NYC for one year.
6) Own a summer cottage on Keuka Lake
7) Become a foster parent
8) Volunteer in another country
9) Start a Journal
10) Run a marathon

Friends in Philly

A couple weeks ago one of my best friends from highschool decided to stop by and visit me in Philly on his way down to DC. It was a quick visit, (not even 24hrs) but a great one at that.

I am ashamed to say after two years in Philly I had never been to the Art Museum or South Street and had only been to a few restaurants in the actual city. With Matt in town it was a great excuse for me to check some of these things off my “list”. We hit the Art Museum first, getting a pic with the Rocky Statue of course and Matt got his chance to reenact one of his favorite Rocky scenes; the ever famous run up the steps to the Art Museum.


Then we met up with one of my friends from WC and strolled South Street before heading to see the Liberty Bell. We had dinner at a cute BYOT (bring your own tequila) restaurant in the heart of the city with my friend, her brother and his wife. Luckily they are Philly natives and were able to take us to some local bars that we would have never known about otherwise.

It was a great afternoon/evening with friends; old and new.

Weekend Getaway

This past weekend Chris and I took a trip down the Chesapeake Bay. We stayed at a cute little resort right on the beach and did nothing but eat, drink and sit on our balcony staring at the bay for two days. It was great!

We also decided to venture in Washington DC Sunday afternoon on our way back to PA. Chris had never been there so it was nice for him to get to see some of the sights. We hit the hot spots; White House, Washington Memorial, Lincoln Memorial and the Vietnam War Memorial. We stayed for about two hours and then headed back to West Chester.

Monday night we met two of Chris' friends fromPlymouth at the Phillies/Red Sox game. Even though the red sox lost we have a great time watching the game and hanging out with friends.

All in all it was a great little weekend getaway!

1st post

I have been contemplating starting my own blog for some time now so here it goes...