FRANKLIN, Tennessee — Home-schooled sixth-grader Lydia Hollis already has received her Christmas miracle.The story of that miracle is probably one of the most extraordinary I've come across all year. It's the story of how an 11-year-old girl raised $26,000 in eight days with the help of her generous Chestnut Bend neighbors. And I especially wanted to share it right before Christmas, at a time when we're often reminded of the love of our family members — biological and adopted.
But more importantly, a 1½-year-old Ukrainian girl named Darya who has never known the gentle touch of a mother, the protective hug of a father or the strength of a sibling bond will soon have all that and more right here in Franklin.
In addition to Lydia, waiting for baby Darya are hopeful parents, Melanie and Chappy Hollis, as well as siblings Caleb, 14, Natalie, 11, Hope, 3, and Charlie, 1. Just like Darya, little Hope and Charlie have Down syndrome.
"It's just in her heart. Lydia has a real passion for orphans, especially those with Down syndrome," Lydia's mother said.
Several years ago, the family had decided to do things for others instead of giving gifts to each other. The Hollis family set forth this year to raise money for Darya's care through Reece's Rainbow, an international Down syndrome orphan ministry. Something about this child's photo and story on the organization's Web site really spoke to this Franklin family. They've never met her and have only a few pictures of the redheaded girl.
So family members started baking cookies to sell and washing cars for donations.
When a family friend who had adopted a Ukrainian boy facilitated by Reece's Rainbow found out that Darya, the benefactor of the family's contributions, was in the same orphanage as their new son, they couldn't believe it. The family friend had seen this same child in a crib stuck way in the back when they were there to pick up the boy.
She was leading a sad, lonely life, the friend reported. She was not held during the day, no one came by to play with her and even when Darya was fed, she was given a bottle and left in her bed.
When Lydia heard this, she knew that what Darya needed more than money was a family to love and care for her. She then asked her mother if she could raise $20,000 — the typical cost to adopt from Ukraine — by Thanksgiving, which was then only eight days away, could they adopt Darya?
Melanie Hollis was a little taken aback by Lydia's question. But then thought a little more about it. Natalie was adopted from Russia. Charlie came into the family through a domestic adoption. If by some miracle it was possible, this surely was a sign a new family member was meant to be. She agreed.
That's when Lydia wrote a heartfelt letter to every household in her more than 150-home subdivision.
"I want you to know that Darya can't help it that she was born with an extra chromosome. And she can't help it that no one wants her. She wants a family and wants to be loved," Lydia said in her letter asking for a $100 donation from each of her neighbors.
"She had her goal and project set pretty firmly in her mind. Someone — an adult — told her she'd never do it and that she was too young. That discouraged her for a moment. She said, 'Mom, maybe I should have made my goal for Christmas. Maybe I haven't given God enough time,' " Melanie Hollis said.
But shortly after the letter was distributed, the family would come home to see multiple checks taped to their front door, envelopes stuffed in their mailbox and donations hidden under their doormat.
A $19.29 contribution was from a 6-year-old girl. "I was saveing [sic] for a digital camera, but I wanted to help Darya instead," the attached message read.
And Lydia's letter traveled much farther than Chestnut Bend or even Franklin. Money started pouring in from all 50 states and four countries as well.
When Thanksgiving dawned, not only had Lydia made her goal, she exceeded it by $6,000. A promise made was a promise kept.
Right now, the family is filling out the paperwork to bring Darya home to Franklin. If all goes well, Darya's new, happy life in the United States could become a reality in the spring.
Even if you missed the first fundraising drive, you still can contribute to other activities the Hollis family is involved with. With contributions still trickling in, Lydia has raised about $30,000. Excess money will go to help another family — the Hooks — adopt from Russia.
If nothing else, you can read more about this amazing family on their blog at http://www.the30dayjourneyforhope.blogspot.com/. Or you can contribute directly to help other children with Down syndrome find permanent homes through Reece's Rainbow at http://www.reecesrainbow.com/.
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