As many of you know Ryker is my joy. He fills me up with so much love I can hardly stand to hold it inside. My heart aches when he is away from me and oh my mamma heart leaps for joy when he gives me that cute little grin. It is my hope and my prayer that other families will be able to experience the amazing miracle of adoption. Tyler and I knew we wanted to adopt, so we would have gone to great lengths to make sure that happened, but on the financial side of things it can get overwhelming. We felt such a relief when we found out about the Adoption Tax Credit. Now, this didn't pay for every cent of the adoption, it didn't give us money to spend on fancy things. It just helped to make adopting possible for us without going into a huge amount of debt. This tax credit has helped thousands of families make what seemed impossible, possible.
Now, many of you also may know that I am a pretty conservative woman. I don't preach politics, but I will say I am all for running this country like we run a business, so if you're like me read this paragraph. If you aren't than you can skip it :) An adoption tax credit (one time money) of $12,000 to help put a child in a home where they will provide for that child for the next 18+ years (Yes I say 18+ because otherwise statistics show the probability of children in foster care ending up on welfare is much higher than those in forever families). Well, that $12,000 starts to look like a small number compared to the $5,000+ PER YEAR that child will end up costing the state because they are in the system. So, yes this is a bleeding heart request, but 'common it's also a 'numbers don't lie' request!
So, back to my Birthday gift :) I've copied an example of a letter below. All you have to do is copy this-take out my personal paragraph-perhaps add your own, or just leave it simple. Then send this along to you congressman and senators. I also have a link to some facts regarding the Adoption Tax Credit in case you would like to learn more about it. And I've even attached a link to all of the IDAHO Congressman and Senators.
I know this tax credit may not affect you at all, it may not even be something you are somewhat interested in. BUT REMEMBER.....It's my Birthday coming up.....and I'm thinking this may be a much cheaper gift than the Horse I was planning on asking for.
I love you all! Thanks for taking the time to read this.
Facts About the Adoption Tax Credit:
http://adoptiontaxcredit.org/faqs/
IDAHO CONGRESSMAN:
Crapo
Risch
Labrador
Simpson
Letter Example:
Dear Senator/Representative NAME:
I have the most beautiful blessing who came to my husband and I through adoption. His name is Ryker and he is 18 months old. Because of our strong desire to adopt we would have jumped through hoops in order to bring our son home to us, but when we found out about the adoption tax credit it helped to relieve some of the financial debt that we would have incurred. It is our hope to adopt again someday, but might be unlikely if this tax credit completely diminishes.
I am writing to ask you to support the adoption tax credit, which is set to expire on December 31, 2012. Since 1997, the adoption tax credit has helped tens of thousands of parents offset the high cost of adoption-like us, making it possible for those who adopt to provide children with loving, permanent families.
If Congress does not take action, the current adoption tax credit will expire at the end of 2012. The credit will be reduced to $6,000, and will only benefit the few families that adopt children with special needs and have qualified adoption expenses. Most families adopting children from foster care, intercountry adoption, and domestic infant adoption will not receive any benefit. Without the adoption tax credit, many parents hoping to adopt will be unable to do so, and others will face great financial hardship. The adoption tax credit is essential to ensuring that as many children as possible find the forever families they deserve and ensuring that those families are in a more stable financial position to provide an environment where children can thrive.
The adoption tax credit must be extended to help as many children as possible find the permanent, loving family they need and deserve. And for 2012 it should be made refundable again so that most adoptive families will benefit from it. I understand we are in an economic hardship, but I also understand the greatness of placing children with forever families rather than paying thousands upon thousands for them to stay in foster care throughout their childhood.
On behalf of the countless children waiting to be adopted, and the many thousands of families that stand to benefit from the adoption tax credit, thank you for your attention to this important issue.
Sincerely,
Brianne Gray
Nampa, Idaho
Briegray@gmail.com/208-914-0757
Posts
Consider it done, Brianne! The instinctive nature of a woman to protect her brood is undeniable. When we are in Christ, He calls us to help our sisters protect theirs as well when they, for whatever reason, cannot. That's what you've done with little Ryker. Your 2 "mancubs" are blessed to have such a wonderful family.
ReplyDeleteBrianne, I just forwarded this onto my entire family. Two of my sisters are adopted and my cousin has down syndrome and was adopted as well. Thanks for this post :)
ReplyDeleteLove this request, love the information and love your passion! We have really learned so much through your experience about adoption and we sure do love your little man! Just finished our letters and sent all the emails, hoping to hear great headlines in the news about this topic :)
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