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Both Hands

 

The Big Build

Project Date: 3/20/10
Location: Brentwood, TN

 

Debbie's FamilyThe Big Build Project on 3/20/10 is the first annual fundraiser by Both Hands Foundation. Our goal is to raise $100,000.  That money will be used in three ways –

  1. Adoption funding (grants and loans)
  2. Orphan Care projects
  3. We have a generous philanthropist who has agreed to match whatever we raise, dollar for dollar. In other words, all the money raised will go towards adoptions and orphan care and the operating expenses of Both Hands will be covered by the matching funds.

JT FamilyWhat a great way to leverage your charitable donations and get a great return on your investment. In 2010, Both Hands will help 50 widows with home repairs, help more than 50 orphans get to their forever families by raising between $250,000- 500,000, and give approximately  1500 people the chance to give their lives away by dedicating a day of service to a widow in need.
 
We invite you to be a part of this awesome opportunity. You get two for the price of one!!  Think big!!

 

Michael and Paige Wilson

WilsonProject Date: 3/27/10
Location: Gracey, KY
Widow: Brenda

Wilson letter

 

Thank you for coming along side us as we labor to bring home our son. We know God is the Provider but He requires us to labor sometimes before we see fruit. So thank you for laboring with us and we have faith in the fruit and blessing to come. 

 

 

 

Wilson Team

 

 

John and Sara Ward

WardProject Date: 4/17/10
Location:
Springfield, Missouri
Widow: Beverly
Child: Baby Senait

PayPal

Ward letter

 

Ward

Ward

 

 

Belmont Build — Miguel and Meredith Valdez

ValdezProject Date: 5/1/10
Location: Nashville, TN

Valdez letter

 

 

This video is a glimpse into the blessing of Both Hands. We shared an unbelievable weekend of fellowship, rain, and more rain with faithful sojourners from the Belmont University community. Our hope is that you will feel inspired to get involved with this incredible ministry and the miracle of adoption.  

Until our family is together,  
Miguel & Meredith Valdez  

 

Elmbrook Church Project

Project Date: 5/22/10
Location: Wisconsin
Widow: Judy

 

The Elmbrook Church Project will benefit three groups: the Bojar Family, the Christensen family and the Elmbrook Church Adoption Fund. To make a donation to a specific group, please click on the "Donate" button below each name.

 

Bojar Family

James & Marikay Bojar

 Bojar Letter

 

 

Christensen

Matthew & Alicia Christensen

Christensen Family

"Both Hands was an amazing experience!  We didn't expect to feel so overwhelmed with joy from helping a widow, receiving her gratitude and seeing all the ways God worked through out our project was the greatest part of it all!  Because of our project we will be able to bring our son home and for that will be forever grateful."

 

Elmbrook Church Adoption Fund

 

Dan and Christi Ucherek

UcherekProject Date: 6/5/10
Location: Pontiac, IL
Widow: Lori

Ucherek letter

 

"What a fabulous day of serving together! This was truly the hands and feet of Christ at work through so many people. We feel so blessed to be able to walk this journey with so many people!"

 

Bruce and Anne Cantrell

Cantrell Family

Project Date: 6/12/10
Location:Citrus Heights, CA
Widow: Tina

 Cantrell Letter

 

Clay and Amy Griffin

Griffin FamilyProject Date: 6/19/10
Location: Eden, NC
Widow: Rebecca

 Griffin Family Letter

Thank You

 

“It was AWESOME! 50+ people showed up and it was 90+ degrees all day. We could not believe the difference in her house. New hardwood floors, a dog lot, new deck, new rails for the front steps, landscaping, new front door color. I think she was overwhelmed - not just with the things, but with all the people who were there to help her. She kept saying, "I can't believe anyone would want to help me!"  

 

 

Clark and Angela Hook

HookProject Date: 6/26/10
Location:
Franklin, TN
Child: Evangeline from Russia

 

 

 

Hook

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“It was a fantastic day, with at least 40 volunteers! We painted 3 rooms, painted trim, brought a hardwood floor back to life, cleaned the kitchen & cabinets, created some flowerbeds, pressure-washed the whole house, removed old appliances replaced with new, donated appliances, took 4 truckloads of garbage to the dump, repaired two holes in her ceiling, put a tarp on the leaky roof so the repair will be protected, and got rid of a dead tree in her front yard.
 
During the interview, I asked the widow how she felt and she replied, ‘This is the best day in my life!’”

 

 

Antonio and Kristie Gonzales

Project Date: 6/26/10
Location: Beaverton, OR
Widow: Phyllis Dodds

 Griffin Family Letter

“The project was great! We were able to finish many projects for Phyllis she wouldn't have been able to do. We feel blessed by everyone who helped and for having the opportunity to bless another person while blessing us at the same time.”

 

Jason and Kristen Olson

Olson Family

Project Dates: 7/9 & 7/10
Location:
Estherville, IA
Widow: Clara Van Laa

Family Letter

 

 

Dan and Tammy Dziagwa

Project Dates: 7/31
Location:
Seward, PA
Widow: Brenda

Read the Dziagwa Letter

 

 

"People are awesome, and prayer is powerful."

 

 

Bradley and Stephanie Gerards

GerardsProject Date: 8/21/10
Location:
Tillamook, OR
Widow: Sue Ann Hanks

Gerards Letter

 

 

"At the end of the day our bodies were tired and sore, but our hearts were full. I can’t stop smiling thinking about everyone who helped make our Both Hands project a huge success. God really worked in amazing ways throughout the whole day and we felt the prayers that were coming from all over the country for our little family and our beautiful daughter waiting in Ethiopia. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!"

 

 

House Before:

 

House After:

 

 

Clinton and C.J. Redwine

RedwineProject Date: 8/28/10
Location:
Thompson's Station, TN

Redwine Letter

 

Redwine Group Shot

 

Ryan and Lesli Sweeney

Project Date: 9/11/10
Location:
Louisville, KY

 

 

 

"Our Both Hands project was more than we could ever have expected! We were so encouraged to see God's hand all over it from start to finish. Despite a 70% chance of rain on our project day, He held back the clouds. Despite only having 3 dumpsters set-up for the project, He provided 4 more when we needed them. The Lord has blessed us with a tremendous group of friends and family with a love and passion for orphan and widow care, and we are so thankful that we could serve and be served alongside them." 

 

 

Scott and DeAnn Frey

Frey FamilyProject Date: 9/18/10
Location:
Elmbrook, WI
Widow: Margaret McHenry

Frey Letter

Frey Update Letter

 

Frey BH Project

 

 

 

Ronald and Laurie Besonen

Project Date: 10/9/10
Location:
Colorado Springs, CO
Blog: View Here

Besonen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Suzi, our widow, and her boys were incredibly appreciative of all we did. The boys kept saying of the new play area that we built, “I don’t like it, I LOVE it!”. At the end of the day, Suzi hugged all of us and said a wonderful prayer of blessing for us."  

 

The Big Build — Illinois

Audli YeakelProject Date: 10/9/10
Location: Bloomington, IL
Widow: Audli Yeakel

 

The Big Build Illinois Project on 10/9/10 is a fundraiser by Both Hands Foundation. Our goal is to raise  money that will be used in three ways –

  1.  Adoption funding (grants and loans)
  2. Orphan Care projects
  3. We have a generous philanthropist who has agreed to match whatever we raise, dollar for dollar. In other words, all the money raised will go towards adoptions and orphan care and the operating expenses of Both Hands will be covered by the matching funds.

JTWhat a great way to leverage your charitable donations and get a great return on your investment. In 2010, Both Hands will help 50 widows with home repairs, help more than 50 orphans get to their forever families by raising between $250,000- 500,000, and give approximately  1,500 people the chance to give their lives away by dedicating a day of service to a widow in need.

We invite you to be a part of this awesome opportunity. You get two for the price of one!!  Think big!!

 

“I was humbled by the outreach of support and love by so many. Today was an example of a group of people serving as the hands and feet of God. At one point, I stopped and watched in amazement…it was unreal to watch as God smiled down on a day when so many served a deserving woman, orphans around the world, and families who want to open their homes as forever families. I have no doubt that there were over 50 people who were completely exhausted tonight, but I also know we all felt more fulfilled than words could possibly explain.” – Andrew, Orphan Advocate

“What an exhilarating day. Low 80s, sunny, perfect for an outdoor makeover. Around 55 volunteers changed out 16 windows, painted Audli’s foundation, awnings, porch windows, garage and fence, installed a screen door and patched her drywall on her back staircase, cleaned out and mulched all of her landscaping and cleaned up the place spic and span . . . in seven hours. Amazing. We all felt God’s protection and presence during this incredible service project. The winners: our widow, Audli; a couple of to be determined adoptive families and many orphans; and 55 volunteers who felt the joy of service for a day with other believers.” – Ken, Orphan Advocate 

 

 

Tony and Dawn Baggett

Baggett FamilyProject Date: 10/16/10
Location: Prattville, AL 
Blog: View Here

Baggett Letter

 

 

 

 

Robert and Kirstin Cassell

Cassell FamilyProject Date: 10/23/10
Location: Greensboro, NC

Cassell

 

 

Cassell BH Project

We had an incredible day! Both Hands is the BEST fundraiser I've ever been a part of! 

 

 

Norman and Amy Jones

Jones FamilyProject Date: 10/23/2010
Location: Mt. Wolf, PA

Jones Letter

 

 

 

Bryan and Kim Young

YoungProject Date: 10/30/10
Location:
Wesley Chapel, FL
Blog: View Here



 

"We are overwhelmed with the support from our friends and family for us and for April. While we were all wiped out by the time we left Saturday night, and I expected to get calls from achy people on Sunday... The calls I received were "we want to do it again" and "thank you so much for letting me be part of it" and "every single person should do that twice a year". It was a great experience and we can't wait to sit with April and JT one day and look back at the pictures." -Bryan & Kim Young  

 

 

William (Brad) and Rebecca (Marie) Angus

Angus FamilyProject Date: 11/6/10
Location: Campton, KY
Blog: View Here

Angus Family Letter

 

 


 

 

Anthony and Michelle McKinney

McKinney FamilyProject Date: 11/6/2010 
Location: Beltsville, MD
Widow: Eleanor Holt
Blogs: lifeabitsweeter.com;
lifeabitsweeter.blogspot.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

McKinney

Out of all of the fundraising that we have done for our adoption, this project has had the greatest impact. To go out and help someone else and expect nothing in return from her...you can't beat that feeling. We had an amazing team of volunteers with generous hearts. What a great day! 

 

 

Charles & Bonnie Schilling

Schilling FamilyProject date: 11/6/10
Location: Butte, MT
Blog: View Here

Schilling Letter

 

 

 

Stephen and Christa Schoolfield

SchoolfieldProject Date: 11/6/10
Location: Maryville, TN
Blog: View Here

Schoolfield Letter

 

 

Schoolfield BH Event

"Everyone on our team had an amazing time. They are all talking about wanting to do it again!"

"When can we do this again!!!" 

 

 

Manley and Rebekka Seale

Project date: 11/6/10
Location: Nashville, TN
Widow: Mary Braswell

Seale Letter

 

Mary BraswellClick here to watch the Seale Family's Envelope Stuffing Party Video

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kirk and Virginia Bleavins

Bleavins Family

Bleavins WidowProject date: 11/13/10
Location: Davidson, NC
Blog: View Here

Bleavins Letter

 

 

 

 

Wow, a day to remember. In one day a team of 39, both young and old, accomplished over 15 major cleanup/ fix-up projects on a Widow's (Wanda) home. The weather was warm and inviting as was the fellowship. It was a day full of smiles and hard work. I know of few things that are better than spending the day with faithful brothers and sisters while working on a project benefitting those in need.

My favorite quote of the day is when my lovely wife was thanking Reed, and many others, for “sacrificing your whole day to devote to this project.” And Reed’s response was, "It is not a sacrifice; it's what we're supposed to do."

"Thank you for sacrificing your whole day to devote to this project."

Response by one of the team : "It is not a sacrifice; it's what we're supposed to do." 

 

 

Brook and Stefanie Bishop

BishopProject Date: 11/20/10
Location: Franklin, TN
Blog: View Here

Bishop Letter

 

 

Bishop Family

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John and Amanda Gasser

Gasser FamilyProject Date: 11/20/10
Location: White House, TN

Gasser Letter

 

 

Gasser Photo

 

Kenneth and Brittney Van Swearingen

Van SwearingenProject Date: 11/20/10
Location:
Dallas, TX
Widow: Mildred Stark
Blog: View Here

VanSwearingen Letter

 

 

 

 

Logan and Brandy Wade

Wade FamilyProject Date: 11/20/10
Location: Linton, IN
Widow: Helen Carroll
Blog: View Here

 

 

 

The Big Build —Louisville, KY

Project Date: 11/20/10
Location: Louisville, KY

The Big Build Louisville Project on 11/20/10 is a fundraiser by Both Hands Foundation. Our goal is to raise  money that will be used in three ways –

  1.  Adoption funding (grants and loans)
  2. Orphan Care projects
  3. We have a generous philanthropist who has agreed to match whatever we raise, dollar for dollar. In other words, all the money raised will go towards adoptions and orphan care and the operating expenses of Both Hands will be covered by the matching funds.

JTWhat a great way to leverage your charitable donations and get a great return on your investment. In 2010, Both Hands will help 50 widows with home repairs, help more than 50 orphans get to their forever families by raising between $250,000- 500,000, and give approximately  1,500 people the chance to give their lives away by dedicating a day of service to a widow in need.

We invite you to be a part of this awesome opportunity. You get two for the price of one!!  Think big!!

 

 

Jon and Beth Krehbiel

Project Date: 1/15/11
Location: Houston, TX
Blog: AdoptingMiracles

Krehbiel Letter

 

 

 

 

Jacob and Susan Allee

Allee FamilyProject Date: 2/19/11
Location: Junction City, KS
Blog: allee-fam.blogspot
Widow: Dorothy Olson

 

 

 

Scott and Tina Bernette

Bernette FamilyProject Date: 2/19/11
Location:
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Widow: Carol Weier

Bernette Letter

 

 

Phil and Shari Chapman

Chapman FamilyProject Date: Date: 3/19/11
Location: Auburn, IN
Blog: TheChapman6.com
Widow: Betty

Chapman Letter

 

 

 

Michael and Brandy King

Spangler FamilyProject Date: 3/12/11
Location: Mahomet, IL
Widow: Connie

Krehbiel Letter

 

 

 

Clayton and Connie Johnson

Johnson FamilyProject Dates: 3/12/11 and 4/9/11
Location:
Ringwood, OK
Widows: Shirley Lowden & Leona Krause
Blog: k6comehome.blogspot

Johnson Family Letter

Johnson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jeremiah and Andrea VanDorsten

VanDorsten FamilyProject Date: 3/12/11
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Widow: Ruby

VanDorsten Letter

“Wow! We are just continually amazed at the amount of money that is pouring in. This is such a blessing!Our project went great! It was perfect. The weather was beautiful, we completed all of our projects (plus a couple of extra things) and best of all- Ruby was so blessed. When I called to check in on her on Sunday, she was still on cloud nine! I think she was just so overwhelmed- in a good way. All the volunteers had a great time and I think some life long friendships were made. Some of the ladies have plans to go back to Ruby's house in a couple of months when it's warmer to plant some flowers. It was a great day!”

 

 

Brian and Christi Vaupel

Mee FamilyProject Date: 4/23/11
Location: Rio Rancho, NM

Krehbiel Letter

 

 

Jacob and Joy Brown

Brown FamilyProject Date: 4/29/11 - 4/30/2011
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Widow: Linda
VISIT BLOG

Brown Letter

Brown Family

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brown Team

Brown Team

“Adoption is love. Caring for a Widow is love. God calls us to do both in His word, and we are honored to have so many people give of their time, talents and financial resources to help do what God has called us all too! Thank you for showing God's love to our family, a widow, orphan and community!”

 

 

Mark and Anne Durand

Mee FamilyProject Date: 4/30/11
Location: Albertville, MN
Widow: Becky
Blog: L.O.V.E. Zambia

Durand Family Letter

“We had such a great time! Despite the rain, cold, and wind - our team showed up ready to work and never complained. It was so wonderful to come together and work on a project like this. By the end of the day the sun was shining, highlighting the landscaping changes. What a day - we are blessed!”

 

 

Joe and Mindy Greene

Greene FamilyProject Date: 4/30/11
Location: Goodland, KS
Widow: Karen
Blog: Greene Party of Six

 

 

 

David and Laura Mee

Mee FamilyProject Date: 4/30/11
Location: Brentwood, TN

 

 

 

 

 

The Big Build

Project Date: 4/16/11
Location: Nashville, TN

The Big Build Project on 4/16/11 is the second annual fundraiser by Both Hands Foundation. Our goal is to raise $100,000. That money will be used in three ways –

  1. Adoption funding (grants and loans)
  2. Orphan Care projects
  3. We have a generous philanthropist who has agreed to match whatever we raise, dollar for dollar. In other words, all the money raised will go towards adoptions and orphan care and the operating expenses of Both Hands will be covered by the matching funds.

JT FamilyWhat a great way to leverage your charitable donations and get a great return on your investment. In 2011, Both Hands will help 75 widows with home repairs, help more than 75 orphans get to their forever families by raising between $250,000- 500,000, and give approximately 1,700 people the chance to give their lives away by dedicating a day of service to a widow in need.
 
We invite you to be a part of this awesome opportunity. You get two for the price of one!!  Think big!!

"Dorsell Martinez has been blessed beyond her wildest dreams!! I’ve talked with her since Saturday and she has seen the house and she was overcome with gratitude!  I’d say it’s safe to say she was blown away at the change. She couldn’t believe how great everything looked.  As you know, she had pneumonia and couldn’t be there, but she wanted to make sure I told you a huge ‘thank you’!

Your efforts, supported by the generosity of your friends, mean there are a bunch of kids who will be able to eat three meals a day who otherwise would not. They mean that orphans will find their way home to their forever families! As the father to a much loved orphan who now sleeps across the hall, the thought of children coming home stirs my soul! Thank you from the depths of it!” – JT Olson

Big Hands 2011 Letter

 

Jonathan and Kori Spangler

Spangler FamilyProject Date: 4/30/11 & 5/7/11
Location: Oak Ridge, NC
Widow: Barbara

Krehbiel Letter

 

 

Brian and Marci Gilpin

Mee FamilyProject Date:5/1/11, 5/29/11 & 6/26/11
Location: Anthem, AZ

 

 

 

Doug and Sue Corkern

Cockern FamilyProject Date: 5/7/11
Location: Independence, MO
Widow: Marie
VISIT BLOG

Corkern Letter

 

 

Kelsen and Alyson Depp

Spangler FamilyProject Date: 5/7/11
Location: Michigan City, IN
Widow: Dee
VISIT BLOG

Krehbiel Letter

 

 

Mark and Diane Goins

Goins FamilyProject Date: 5/14/11
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Widow: Pam Williams
VISIT BLOG

 

 

 

 

 

"Thank you to the Williams family, and to all the volunteers, donors,
and sponsors for our Both Hands Project. We praise God for how He
has protected and provided."

 

 

GCOAGold Coast Orphan Alliance Both Hands Project
Benefitting: Jesse & Amy Giglio and Stephen & Sheila Steen

Giglio Family Steen Family Marie
Giglio Family
Steen Family
Marie

Project Date: 5/21/11
Widow:
Marie

GCOA Letter

 

 

 

Jeremy and Angela Amick

CoronaProject Date: 5/28/11 & 6/25/11
Location: Advance, NC
Widows: Janice & Betty
VISIT BLOG

Amick Letter

 

Serve4Orphans – Gridley, IL

CoronaProject Date: 6/3/11 & 6/4/11
Location: Gridley, IL
Widow:
Dee

The Serve4Orphans Project on 6/3 & 6/4 is a fundraiser by the Apostolic Christian Young Group in Gridley, IL. Our goal is to raise money that will be used for Lifesong’s adoption grant and loand fund and orphan care in six countries. We invite you to be a part of this awesome opportunity. Think big!!

Serve4Orphans Letter

 

 

Michael and Kathryn Corona

CoronaProject Date: 6/4/11
Location: Charlotte, NC

 

 

 

Doug and Cara Layne

Layne FamilyProject Date: 6/4/11
Location:
Ashville, OH
Widow: Andrea
VISIT BLOG

Layne Family Letter

 

 

 

Mike and Jenn McQuade

McQuadeProject Date: 6/4/11
Location: Lakeland, FL
Widow: Mrs Eleanor Vincentius
VISIT BLOG - Getting Liam
VISIT BLOG - Our Journey of Grace

LiamMcQuade Letter

 

 

 

Adam and Bethany Kuehnel

CoronaProject Date: 6/11/11
Location: Faribault, MN
VISIT BLOG

Kuehnel Letter

 

 

Jon and Jennifer Watson

Watson FamilyProject Date: 6/11/2011
Location:
Nashville, TN

 

 

 

 

 

Kevin and Janet Bourke

Bourke FamilyProject Date: 6/18/11
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Widows: Pauline, Sheila & Dottie

Bourke Letter

 

 

Nate and Natasha Siebert

Siebert FamilyProject Date: 6/4/11
Location: Waukesha, WI

Siebert Letter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Ron used to just take care of things. Now, I have no one to help me. Many people say they will come help, but often they get busy and cannot.”
— Denise Hill (Widow helped by Both Hands)

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Both Hands Stories