Hello.
We cannot express how grateful we are to friends and family like you who are considering a monetary contribution to allow us to start our family. Domestic adoption expenses can range anywhere from $25,000 to $35,000, and this financial burden prevents many families from being able to afford adoption. We are hopeful that by acquiring some financial assistance with this first adoption that we will be able to afford a second international adoption at a later time.
As may of you are aware, Sarah had a rare form of leukemia with a 30% survival rate as a teenager, where the toxic treatment (chemo, total body radiation, and a bone marrow transplant) caused infertility. While we were initially saddened by the news of not being able to conceive, we’ve known for a long time that adoption would be how we would create our family.
We met through a mutual friend six years ago, and we got married in October 2017. Sarah was drawn to Toby’s laidback and comfortable nature. He is genuinely interested in every person he meets, and after only a few moments, you feel like you’ve known him forever. For Toby, it was Sarah’s optimism and compassion that sealed the deal. She is also quick to laugh, which was great because Toby is always ready with a witty observation or silly joke!
We just bought a new house with plenty of room to run around in the backyard. We like to keep busy by playing on a recreational soccer team and enjoying the outdoors by gardening and hiking. We also like exploring new places, especially National Parks. Our favorite trip together was San Francisco, where we went sightseeing and ate our way through the city.
When we’re not out exploring, we spend a lot of time in our kitchen. From Asian to Italian, we are always trying new recipes, cooking for family gatherings, or entertaining on our deck. Sarah is also an avid baker, a passion that she learned from her mother and grandmother and that she hopes her kids will enjoy as well.
Sarah was adopted from South Korea as an infant and has always known that being a parent, however it happened, would be her priority.
Both of our families are supportive of our adoption journey, and we feel especially blessed to have our parents and most of our siblings within a 25-mile radius of where we live. We have a fun and reliable group of friends in both the local area and out-of-state. Along with our families, we have a solid support network to support our growing family through every moment of laughter and joy as well as the inevitable bumps and bruises.
Thank you in advance for your consideration. We genuinely appreciate any contribution you are able to make.
With loving thoughts & warm wishes,
Tobias and Sarah
STRIPE charges an online processing fee (2.2% +.30 USD per transaction). Your donations will be decreased by this amount. You may also send a check payable to “Lifesong for Orphans”. In the memo line please write “Huenefeld 09562”, to ensure it is credited to our account. Please mail to Lifesong for Orphans, PO Box 9, Gridley, IL 61744.
Lifesong has been blessed with partners who underwrite all U.S. administrative and fundraising costs (TMG Foundation and other partners). That means 100% of your donation will go directly to the adoption.
- In following IRS guidelines, your donation is to Lifesong for Orphans. This organization retains full discretion over its use, but intends to honor the donor’s suggested use.
- Lifesong is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization. Individual donations of $50 or more and yearly donations totaling $250 or more will receive a tax-deductible receipt. Receipts for donations under $50 will gladly be sent upon request.