On Sunday, January 25th, you answered our call…

Love Rising: A Gluten–Free Celebration and Adoption Fundraiser benefiting The Worth Family, tallied up this equation:
Over 70 guests
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Over 20 sponsors, business donors, and organizations
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13 Raffle Prizes
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5 Interactive Children’s Exhibits
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2 Talented Musicians
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1 Amazing Massage Therapist
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Countless Gluten-Free Cupcakes, biscotti, muffins, sweet breads, cookies, candy, crackers, bars, granola, etc.
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An Overabundance of Love
= Almost $1,000 raised to bring two sisters home to their Forever Family

We were aglow from the outpouring of love from our community. You came, you gave generously, and you enjoyed the delicious treats from our wonderful sponsors, including our hosts Dalton’s Cakes.









But it wasn’t just about the tasty treats… you learned about health and nutrition from Juice Plus+ and Center for Wellness. As the festivities wound up, many of you got to wind down with a little bit of massage therapy.
It’s not a family affair without the kids! Your children found fun and an outlet for their sugar-fueled imagination with the help of Busy Brains Children’s Museum. Save the date for Friday, May 1st for Brain Builder 2015, and let’s help build their permanent home in Lake Villa!
Guests of all ages enjoyed the gypsy jazz sound of Mike Pollitt and Hayden Cortez. Hayden is a local artist who will soon graduate from the Art Institute of Chicago. Mike Pollitt teaches stringed instruments and harmonica to children and adults of all ages with 12 years of teaching experience under his belt. Contact him for private instruction near Downtown Grayslake at 847-445-4021 or by email at mikeslessonsnow[at]gmail[dot]com.
More important than the funds raised (which were significant) was the show of support from our community. It takes a village to raise a child and no less is needed for two sisters from overseas who will be transitioning to a new family, new language, and new culture. On Sunday, January 25th we banded together as one family in solidarity. Our outstretched arms wove together the safety net that will give The Worth Family and their newly adopted daughters a safe place to land. We rolled out the welcome mat in grand gluten-free style! And we’ll be here waiting patiently, hand in hand with The Worth family, to welcome them home at last.

A personal message from Hyacynth Worth on behalf of her family:
We are often reminded of a hard truth as we walk this road of adoption: adoption is beauty born out of very brokenness; as we’ve become more acquainted with all parts of adoption — the joys and the painful realities — our family has grown in desire to be part of the beauty of binding up even just a small piece of that kind of brokenness. This past Sunday at Love Rising, we saw some of that beauty rising in the form of our community — our loved ones and strangers turned friends — rallying in support of our family’s endeavor. Truly, this journey would be so much more difficult without those who have been walking alongside of us; thank you for walking with us, and thank you for being a part of the love that helps bind up those hurts. Our hearts are simply bursting with gratitude at the outpouring of love and generosity from our friends, family and local businesses and organizations. Grateful doesn’t seem like a strong enough word to convey our gratitude.
Special thanks to all our Bake Walk and Raffle Sponsors. We encourage each of you to support these businesses that invest in your community.
Thank you to Wildtree with The Cooker Mom (Jamie Hering), Lambs Farm, The Spoon Fool Bakery, Trader Joe’s – Libertyville, That Pasta Place, Messy Apron Cupcakery, Radical Root Farm, Jewel-Osco Grayslake, Kitchfix, Dave & Buster’s Vernon Hills, and Bar Pastoral in Chicago.


By Loralie
Hainesville
When Loralie isn’t out exploring with her two pint-sized adventurers you’ll often find her in front of her computer plotting to take over the world (or at least Lake County.) She appreciates good friends, good food, expensive shoes and parents who make two lanes in the drop-off/pick-up line at school. Her spirit animal is The Hobbit. She invites you to join her on her quest for unique distractions, diversions and deliciousness in this county we call home.
Disclosure: In appreciation for their generosity, promotional consideration was given to all businesses who donated their time, services, and products in support of this event.