Kathy Garrison is a stay-at-home mom of four kids. She and husband Nathan, a physical therapist at Carle, have three biological children – Haley (13), Hayden (12) and Emma (10). In August 2009, they adopted son Elijah, now 14 months, from Ethiopia. Kathy is passionate about drawing awareness to and being a part of the solution for orphaned children throughout Africa and the world.
See why we think Kathy Garrison is a Chambana mom to know.
Q: You are in the process of adopting your second child from Ethiopia. Why have you chosen this path?
A: Our faith is an important part of our lives and scripture mentions caring for the orphan over 60 times. Nathan and I know we aren’t perfect parents, but we felt like adopting a child was a way He could use our family to make a difference for a child. As we began the process of adoption, I began to educate myself on the orphan crisis around the world. What I found was overwhelming….there are approximately 147 million orphans in the world. We knew we could not make a difference for millions of children, but we could make a difference for one. So, we began our first adoption.
We were blessed with Elijah and traveled to Ethiopia in August of 2009. While we were there, our eyes were opened even more. There are some things you can’t understand until you see them for yourself…so many children in orphanages and living on the streets. They had nothing, and more importantly, no family.
After bringing Elijah home and our travel to Ethiopia, we knew we would adopt again. There are so many children counting on someone to take them in and call them family, and we have room in our hearts and in our home.
Q: How have your older children adapted to having a baby in the family?
A: We are really proud of the way our older kids have handled the adoption, they’ve been incredible. We talked a lot about our first adoption throughout the process and I think that helped them to feel a part of it and to understand what was going on. They prayed faithfully for their new brother or sister and have embraced the idea of growing our family this way. (In fact, sometimes their ideas of how much to ‘grow’ our family are a little ambitious, I think!) We didn’t really have any problems with resentment or jealousy and they are all in love with Elijah. Our biggest challenge has probably come from arguments among them of whose turn it is to sit by him or hold him. They love to teach him tricks and laugh at his antics. It’s been a lot of fun.
Q: Adoption is expensive. Please tell me about your fundraising efforts and ways the community can get involved.
A: We are doing some fundraisers to help with the cost of our adoption. We are really excited to be holding a Daddy/Daughter Dance on April 24 at the First Christian Church in Champaign. We are having a lot of fun planning it and think it’s going to be a great night. The evening will include photos (one 5 x 7 included in the price of ticket, nail painting, cupcakes, and of course, dancing. We will also have a “Princess Boutique” set up where the girls can purchase tutus, tiaras, ribbon halos, and fairy wands. Tickets for a Daddy/Daughter couple are available for a minimum donation of $25 and $5 for each additional daughter. Bella Bambini has generously offered to donate all proceeds of their little girls’ fancy dresses towards our adoption when people go in and mention they are buying for the event.
My daughter is also going to be selling cupcakes (they are delicious!) to help with the cost. We’ll be selling them by the dozen, and will start taking orders for those soon as well.
Q: You are helping other families in your church explore adoption. Why is this important to you?
A: I, with an awesome team of friends, started an adoption and orphan care ministry at First Christian Church called Chosen. I had a heart to do more than affect the lives of children that would be brought into my home, but to help others see the need for all of us to work together on behalf of the many children that need someone to love them. I also wanted to provide a support system to families who were adopting or needed more information. As a ministry, we try to provide people with practical ways to help children in need (i.e. shoe drive, making dresses for girls in Africa, collecting personal care products for local children), and also to be an encouragement and resource for adoptive families.
Q: You have traveled to Ethiopia and will be returning there again. What do you hope to teach Elijah and your future child about their homeland?
A: I want Elijah, and our future child, to grow up proud that they are Ethiopian. It is a misunderstood country because it is so well known for poverty and famine, but it is a beautiful place with a rich history and wonderful people. There is much to love and appreciate about Ethiopian culture. I also want him to understand that he was given up due to desperation and difficult circumstances, but has never been unwanted or unloved.
If you are interested in attending the Daddy/Daughter Dance, contact Kathy at 378-9639 or klgarrison@comcast.net. You can also follow her family’s journey at her blog, Impressed Upon Our Hearts.