“I love giving back to a program that took care of me”
When Kate Tunstall’s 11th birthday was around the corner, she surprised her family with an interesting birthday request: in lieu of presents, she asked her friends and family to donate money to children waiting to be adopted in South Korea.
“Kate doesn’t ask for much. She is a very giving girl and likes to give more than she likes to receive,” explained her mother, Jewell. “She makes us proud.”
Once her mother knew Kate’s plan, they contacted Children’s Home to learn what the children in South Korea needed most. Then, with generous donations from loved ones and a shopping list in hand, Kate and her mother headed to the store.
“It was really fun. I loved the shopping. I was really excited to help the kids in Korea,” Kate shared.
Kate picked out baby clothes, shoes, toys, and diaper rash cream then packaged it all up to be donated to Korean foster families when Children’s Home staff visited this summer. In the package, Kate included a note:
Hello! My name is Kate Tunstall. My name while in your care was Oh, Myung Jee. I am now 11 years old and living with my family that consists of Mom, Dad and my 17 year old brother who is also adopted from South Korea.
I have raised money and used birthday money to buy donations for SWS foster families. I hope the enclosed items will be a great help for the children in foster care. It was so fun shopping for them. I love giving back to a program that took care of me until I could be placed with my family.
I plan to donate more items in the future. If it is not too much trouble, I would love pictures of the foster children with the items I donate. I hope they enjoy them.
The gift left an impact. Social Welfare Society in South Korea was so thankful for the much needed supplies and Kate was fulfilled knowing she helped others. “She’s already talked about doing this again in the future,” her mother noted.
