Adopt Ireland NOW!

Hi all -- My name is Renee and my family and I make handmade tools for diamond painting fanatics. Early on in our history, we met an amazing turner named Donna Bass who generously shared her experiences and turning knowledge with us, becoming a mentor and dear friend even though we were direct competitors. Donna has been very good to us, and now, I want to return the favor. Donna and her family are in need of a miracle, and am asking every person reading this to help make it happen.

Donna and her husband Justin live in NC and have two children who were born in their hearts: Tristan is 9 and Ireland is 5. The kiddos have been with Donna and Justin since infancy and both have significant medical issues resulting from prenatal neglect -- sadly, the biological parents both have long-term substance abuse issues. When they found themselves with a baby they could not care for, they found Donna and Justin, and asked them to adopt their son. Tristan was formally adopted through CPS at the age of 18-months.

Several years later, when the biological parents found out they were expecting again, they contacted the Basses about taking this new baby right away, hoping to avoid any CPS involvement this time. Since Tristan's adoption was through CPS, the state took care of everything. This time, Donna and Justin would be responsible. Obviously, that didn't matter. Donna began turning pens as a means to financially support the adoption and quickly became a major player in the turning community. Donna and Justin were thrilled to welcome Tristan’s biological sister, Ireland, into their family five years ago.

Since this should have been a relatively easy process that any adoption lawyer could handle, Donna and Justin hired a no-frills lawyer that they could afford. Unfortunately, this individual took their money and did not do all the things he was hired to do. He did just enough to string them and their hopes along. He then stopped communicating altogether. Donna, at a recent hearing, was informed by a judge that the paperwork she had from the biological parents surrendering their parental rights were meaningless. The judge also stated that their rights were not being considered as they had not been "invited to participate in the adoption process." He refused to consider anything further in their case.

Donna and Justin have hired a new lawyer, and new, emergent issues have developed. The biological parents are in the midst of a divorce which includes a custody battle over yet another child between them. Because the previous judge indicated that the Basses' paperwork is useless, Ireland is the legal child of the biological parents – and because there is another child being fought over by this couple, IT IS ENTIRELY POSSIBLE THAT CPS COULD REMOVE IRELAND FROM THE ONLY HOME SHE'S EVER KNOWN AND BE PLACED IN CPS CUSTODY WHILE THE BIOLOGICAL PARENTS’ CASE IS BEING CONSIDERED. The biological parents DO NOT want Ireland, which is the saddest part. They want her to be with Donna and Justin, but red tape is preventing this from happening.

The new lawyer has informed Donna and Justin that Ireland's adoption needs to happen "yesterday" or risk their daughter's removal from their home. To do this, Donna and Justin need money, and need it now... money for lawyers, expedited court fees, travel arrangements, etc. Unfortunately, the income that Donna is bringing in from turning cannot cover what is needed, especially on top of food, utilities, mortgage payments, etc. And, if Donna stops turning to focus on the adoption... again, no one will eat. This is tragic on so many levels.

The Basses are defeated, exhausted… absolutely devastated, thinking their baby could be taken away. It's every parent's worst nightmare. They do, however, have great faith and believe that "God will provide for Ireland."

So I formally ask you now... PLEASE HELP US KEEP IRELAND WHERE SHE BELONGS! Please make a donation -- in any amount -- and spread the word. 100% of everything raised will go directly to paying for Ireland's expedited adoption. I challenge everyone I know personally to donate at least $3 in honor of my own trio, more if you can. Anything -- honestly -- will help. I also challenge anyone who has ever bought a pen or some other lovely item from Donna to remember the love and care she put into your items, and return the same financially if you can.

And, if you are a member of the crafting or diamond painting or turning community and would like to contribute in other ways, there are many of us who are banding together to do auctions and other fundraisers to help as well. Please find me at Diamond Pen Pal on Etsy (GFM won't let me put an email address in) if you'd like to get involved.

In advance, thank you for reading this and for supporting the Basses!