BAKER — Baker residents are raising funds to meet two goals: help a former teacher, and aid their adoption of a Chinese child.
Joe Stapp and his family are members of the Both Hands Foundation, which helps widows, orphans and adoptive families, a mission based on Bible verse James 1:27.
On April 30, the Stapps and a team of volunteers will make repairs and possible renovations to the home of Baker resident Nell Pittman.
Pittman, a 12-year widow, worked as a teacher for 38 years and has Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. A media release states she "poured her life into children in both Baker and Crestview area schools, as well as at the Department of Juvenile Justice.
"Cancer has changed all that … impacted her life in many ways, and left her home in need of some TLC."
Meanwhile, over the past year, the Stapps have been working to adopt a 4-year-old girl in China with cerebral palsy. They are accepting donations to assist with the adoption, and plan to bring her home in May.
Both Hands' fundraising method is similar to raising sponsorship for a 5K race, but the service is fixing a widow's home to secure funds for the adoption process. Team funds are used solely for the adoption process, not for administrative costs.
The Stapps have $875 in donations as of April 14, and hope to raise $15,000.
Businesses or individuals may support the Baker team's efforts by donating funds or supplies through April 30.
Contact Joe Stapp, 420-0918 for more information.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Can you help this Baker family repair a widow's house?