Andrew Speaks

I have a new friend.

My new friend's name is Andrew, and he is a very, very special guy.  The picture above shows Andrew in his Halloween costume.  I think he looks pretty sharp!

Andrew is 27 years old and works in a company mail room. For fun, Andrew plays floor hockey and swims for Special Olympics.  Whether at work or at play, Andrew is nearly always happily humming one of two tunes: Good King Wenceslas or Here Comes the Bride.  Although Andrew struggles with both vision and hearing loss, he doesn't let those challenges get him down. In the words of another friend, Andrew is a miracle man. 

Andrew has been a HUGE Reece's Rainbow fan for a long time.  A few years ago, a friend honored Andrew by making a donation to RR in Andrew's name.  That donation went into the grant account of a little RR boy named Andriy.  When Andrew heard little Andriy's story, he got so excited about finding a family for Andriy that he made several donations of his own.  Then Andrew waited, prayed and hoped for Andriy's family to step forward.  When the Taylor family  committed to adopt Andriy (Jadon).....

......Andrew was beside himself with joy, jumping up and down, pumping his fists and screaming "Yes, yes!!"

Andriy's family had absolutely no idea that their boy across the ocean had such a mighty prayer warrior on his side.

Andrew is also a fan of our Aaron, and he is very excited about our Mulligan Stew feast.  Out of all of the children and families on our list, Andrew chose to donate his hard-earned money to Hanson.  Why?  Because, in Andrew's own words, "I don't think he should stay in an orphanage.  A family is a better thing.  I think I would have been a Lost Boy.  It would be scary.  I don't think I should think about it."

Oh sweet Andrew, I am so glad that you didn't end up as a Lost Boy!!

Andrew wonders about Hanson and the other Lost Boys: "Why do they do that? Why no parents? Don't they care? Why go away and leave their kids? That's very bad, my mom and dad are good."

 I wonder the same thing, Andrew. 

Andrew told me that he likes our Mulligan Stew, and thinks that it will taste good.  He also told me that he is praying for my family.  So you can see why Andrew is my new best friend - to know that someone with faith like that is praying for my family is a tremendous blessing. 

When I asked Andrew if he would let me share his story, he enthusiastically agreed.  "Tell the world," he said. "I will be famous."

Sweet Andrew wants to be famous, and I want to help him along on the road to stardom.  So today, I am presenting a challenge:  Please, today or tomorrow, make a donation to any family or child in our Mulligan Stew Giveaway and then LEAVE A COMMENT FOR ANDREW to let him know that you made the donation IN HIS NAME.  Don't forget to give me a total.  Let's bless Andrew's socks right off his feet!  Make Andrew pump his fists for joy each time he sees that another family or child has been blessed because HE SHARED HIS STORY WITH US! 

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"A Common Stew for an Uncommonly Good Cause!"

 

We have raised $12,062.78 so far in this Giveaway!!
192 people have donated.

GO TO THIS LINK TO SEE WHAT WAS DONATED TO THE MULLIGAN STEW GIVEAWAY 2012 AND TO SEE WHOM IT BENEFITED!!  THIS GIVEAWAY ENDED MARCH 31, 2012