Meet Little Leo, the 2016 host child who, even after his fellow host children have been HOME with forever families for more than a year, STILL waits for a family to call his own.
This precious 9-year-old boy stole our hearts in the summer of 2016.
He was being hosted by another family in our hosting program, and we just *loved* watching from afar as this precious and tender-hearted boy just THRIVED inside the love and security of family.
Little Leo, as his host family called him, was one of those sweethearts … the one whose pictures cuddled up in his host mama's lap just let you know how much he just LOVED to be LOVED. He emanated JOY, and you couldn't watch one of his videos without yourself smiling from ear to ear.
This little man with the soft spirit and the contagious smile had a forever family coming for him.
But at the last moment, his adoption fell through.
This perfect little boy who has once again unfairly lost something so precious deserves to know the truth.
That he's MORE than enough.
That he's beautifully and wonderfully made.
That he is ADORED by a God who loves him madly.
And that someday, we believe he'll be adored by a family whose greatest gift will be a Little Leo nestled in their arms.
And so today, WE are running for THEM. We are running for a FAMILY. We are running for HIM.
My now dear friend Rebecca Harder and family adopted OUR host child from the summer 2016 session. And together, we are running a half marathon for the host child who, two years later, STILL has no forever family to call his own.
Our goal is to raise $100 per person for every mile we run. That's 13.1 miles times 100 times 2 for a grand total of $2620.
If we reach our goal, we'll dress as Superwoman and Wonderwoman all 13.1 miles of our October 20 race.
And when we cross the finish line, we'll offer not just hope but REAL HELP to the family we are praying and believing will say YES to one of the most beautiful and deserving superheroes we know.
The one still waiting for his family to hand him his cape and teach him how to fly.
Want to learn more about Little Leo, including all of his medical information and the updates provided by the family who hosted him for a month? Email Diedra at [email protected]. Or share Little Leo's story on social media using the hashtag #changelittleleosstory.
100 percent of the proceeds from our race fundraiser will go to a scholarship for the family who moves forward with this precious boy.
THANK YOU for standing behind this deserving child who needs to know he's loved TODAY.
