Regardless of one's resources, God can work with a willing heart to serve those who need Him, and with faith that He can accomplish His desires in and through us.
God used the Trot to Adopt 5K and 1 Mile Family Fun Run to provide the last of the required funds to finalize the adoption of our youngest family member, Elita Mei Digsby from China in March of 2011. We trusted that He would provide all that we needed to get our little one home, and He proved himself faithful!
The following year, others who were pursuing adoption asked for help in putting on a similar event. We decided to bring them all together for a second Trot to Adopt in 2012. Since the first 5k in 2011, the Trot to Adopt has raised nearly $500,000 in funds to help to bring over 30 children home to their forever families in the CSRA.
Not only has having a group of families work together lightened the load of putting on such an event, but it has brought tremendous awareness about adoption in our community with 25-50 supporting community partners each year. We are thrilled that this event has not only been an example of how God provides for his children by stirring generosity in his people, but also encourages families to consider adoption, knowing God will make a way for us to reach out to others in need by His power and provision, regardless of our limitations.
Please plan to join us annually for the Trot to Adopt. Not only is the 5K or 1 mile walk/run invigorating, but playing a role in bringing families together by your support, and meeting those who have been united over the years through this endeavor will inspire you! We hope the Trot to Adopt encourages you to ask God to plant His very desires in your heart, and that you eagerly watch for His hand as you move forward in doing His will to care for the orphan.
Deut 10:17-19 For the Lord your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, the mighty and awesome God, who shows no partiality…He ensures that orphans and widows receive justice…he shows love to the foreigners living among you and gives them food and clothing. So you, too, must show love to foreigners…
2 Cor 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
John and Regan Boudreaux decided to start The Project 143 Foundation as a way support local charities, with an emphasis on local adoptions. The foundation is primarily funded through the two small businesses that John and Regan own and operate. They are thankful that God has given them a platform from which they can bless others and live out James 1:27 as they do their part to help care for children in need. They are excited to be a part of the Trot to Adopt team and come alongside families seeking adoption. John and Regan live in Grovetown with their four children.
The Drake/Mote family is excited to be a part of the Trot to Adopt team. Jennifer has 3 biological children-Thomas who is married to Sydney, Samuel and Molly. The Lord added to their family through adoption and they have been greatly blessed by the addition of Cynthia in 2010 from China and David from Ethiopia in 2014. David's adoption was helped immensely by being a participating family in the 2014 Trot to Adopt and they are so grateful for the support of the community through this adventure. Jennifer is now married to Tom Mote. Jennifer is honored to help bring home children to their forever families by helping organize the Trot to Adopt.
Michael and Corrie Ingham are grateful to support and serve others through the Trot to Adopt each year. Having participated in the Trot as an adopting family two different times, they have seen the power of community in the lives of families and children, when united around a worthy cause. Corrie is a Dental Hygienist at Evans Dental Group and Michael is a local State Farm agent. They were married in 2010 and have been blessed with 3 children - their adopted daughter Olivia Kate (8), and their biological sons Hudson (6) and Ezra (2). And they are currently waiting on their next adopted child any day now!
Mark and Julianna are so grateful to get to be part of the Trot to Adopt team. Julianna is a nurse and Mark works in privacy at Meta. They have 3 children- 1 biological and 2 adopted. When planning for the adoption of their son in 2020, they often felt overwhelmed by the financial aspect. The relationships they established through Trot to Adopt were a wonderful gift to their family, and the race was a huge support financially. In 2021, Mark and Julianna had the joy of getting to participate a second time when they were surprised and blessed by the adoption of their second daughter. As part of the Trot to Adopt team, it is an incredible privilege to be part of each Trot family’s adoption journey, and to witness firsthand how God provides.
The Wilkerson family has been a part of the Trot team since 2014. They have 5 biological children and 3 adopted children that are siblings from the Democratic Republic of Congo. After fostering sibling groups for a while, they listened to the Lord's call to pursue adoption. They participated in the 2012 & 2013 Trot To Adopt and are very greatful for the wonderful support and relationships that the Trot To Adopt has helped make possible.
The GRU softball team has been an active race day supporter since the very first Trot-to-Adopt. Having a heart for adoption and a friendship with the Digsby's, Coach Brocato wanted her team to help in some way. Each year this event is included the team's list of community service events.