AdopSource Event Generates Recognition and Gathers Support from Community
Writer: Margie Andreason
ST. PAUL, MN- AdopSource held its first annual membership event on Saturday, June 14th, 2008 at the Wilder Foundation’s remarkable new space. AdopSource was able to raise nearly $12,000, including a generous grant from Target Corporation of $7,500. Over 100 people attended the event to support AdopSource’s cause and upcoming projects.
The theme for the AdopSource’s fundraiser was “Adoptees Asia.”
 There was a silent auction where attendees could bid on a number of donated items ranging from Twins tickets to a Nintendo Wii. AdopSource was able to raise $2,091 in silent auction donations alone! AdopSource volunteers helped children create paper lanterns and origami.
Jarell Barton, the self taught musician of the Guzheng instrument, amazed the audience with his talented and moving music.
The 15-year-old remained extremely humble during his well deserved standing ovation.
The audience was then treated to the vocals of Song-Un Lee who sang two well-known Korean songs, as Lisa Gutsche accompanied him on the piano.
There were vendor tables representing eight local and national organizations that serve the Asian adoptee community in Minnesota.
 
Korean Adoptee Ministry Korean Quarterly
Guests had the opportunity to learn more about the vendors, AdopSource, and each other as they mingled throughout the event. AdopSource Secretary, Aron Spiess shared the organization’s plans for their upcoming workshop and social events.
 
Resource Center for Adult Adoptees Korean Social Service
 The key note speaker, Tou Ger Xiong, was the highlight of the fundraiser. His comical story-telling of what it was like to leave Laos and grow up as an Asian American kept the audience laughing throughout his performance-even singing towards the end!
People did not leave this event with an empty stomach. There was an amazing selection of Asian cuisine to choose from representing six different countries.
 
 Sarah Pradt, the Vice President of AdopSource and an adoptive parent of a Chinese girl, gave out prize drawings and provided the closing comments. She shared her own experience and link with the adoptee community and encouraged everyone to continue to support AdopSource in the future.
Adoptee parents and adoptees from Korea, China, Columbia, Vietnam, and India, as well as domestic adoptees, all came together for this event. The diversity represented the wide reach within the adoptee community that AdopSource aims to build, and this event definitely gave the newly emerging organization more recognition, members and support to continue its work here in Minnesota.
“I thought everything about the event was wonderful; from the music to the food, to the comic relief.” –Tom Manion, Korean Adoptee |
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