My FAVORITE Giveaway ever!

I am so VERY excited about the opportunity to do this giveaway.

Okay, I'm kind of lying. Because, to be honest, I wish I could keep it for myself.

Early this past summer, I visited what I instantly deemed as one of 

my favorite stores 

in the whole wide world. 

We were on vacation, celebrating my sister's upcoming wedding. 

We were in a quaint adorable touristy town of Traverse City, and came across this cute little storefront with the name

FUSTINI'S

We walked in to what is actually a surprisingly large shop covered wall-to-wall in gourmet oils and vinegars. 

Not being much of a fan of either, I slowly walked through, wondering what could possibly so great as to warrant an entire store of flavored oils... 

and then I tried some. 

I started with the 

Sage and Wild Mushroom Oil.

It tasted like Thanksgiving. 

Have I mentioned how much I love Thanksgiving?
(In case I haven't... I LOVE Thanksgiving.)

In that moment, I was in love. Or so I thought. 

It was when I headed over to the gourmet vinegars that I realized

this place just may be the closest thing to heaven on earth. 

It's that perfect.

The vinegars... oh, the vinegars... 

Cinnamon Pear

   Red Apple

Grapefruit

Coconut
and so, so many more. 

I am now a convert. 

I love gourmet oil and vinegar.

Particularly when it comes from 

Fustini's.  

So you can probably imagine I was pretty excited when I contacted them and they happily

told me they'd love to be a part of a giveaway.

In fact, Fustini's is graciously

offering a 

$50 GIFT CERTIFICATE

to one lucky giveaway winner!

(If you win and really think you have no use for such a fantastic gift, please feel free to send it my way. I will have no problem turning it down, I promise. Just Kidding! Kinda.)

 Now that you know what is up for grabs...

This giveaway is not for our family. It isn't for Elisha. 

As much as I would LOVE for it to be for us...

there's another family that needs a village NOW. 

The Shpak Family is adopting Shannon. 

Shannon is five. She has Down syndrome, and she has already been transferred to an institution in a certain eastern european country.

This isn't the family's first adoption, though. 

Less than two years ago, they adopted Ethan. 

Ethan has had medical issues since birth; 

in fact, I learned about this family from a friend of mine who was his NICU nurse. 

Ethan's health has become... well, not good lately.  

The family is in the midst of adopting Shannon and needing to raise funds to rescue their little girl out of her mental institution so she can grow up like any child should. 

But:

When you've got a child in the hospital, when you are watching a little life struggle to hold on,

do you really have time to think about raising funds?

This family needs a village.

They need a village for two reasons:

1. They need our prayers. Their son needs prayer for healing, and they need prayer for strength during this difficult time. 

and 

2. They need to be fully funded. They need adoption money to be the least of their concerns. If the family is fully funded, that is one less weight they carry on their shoulders. 

I can't imagine visiting them in the hospital, looking them in the eye, and saying, 

I'm sorry, but I can't do anything to ease your burden right now.

There is a lot that we have no control over, but one thing that we CAN do is help ease one burden.

So, I'm asking for you to help me spread the word. 

I'm asking for you to share their story, collect donations, give yourself, do whatever you can 

to ease a small burden from a family in need. 

We can't give their son his health. We can't take away their pain. But at the very least, we can all come together and remove one bit of worry from their hearts. 

I hope you join with me in my mission to become a village for the Shpak Family.

Now, here's the best part of becoming this family's village. 

(Well, I take that back. The best part is doing something for someone else. This is just the extra bonus that makes it that much more fun!)

The Shpak Family has a fundraiser currently in motion on their blog. 
They haven't had much time to focus on it or promote it, but it's there, and it's good. Real good.
They are giving away a great big bunch of prizes...
one of which just happens to be an iPad 2!


You give a donation to the Shpak Family through their blog. 
You are entered to win an Ipad 2 and other awesome prizes.
You come back here, to my blog, and leave a comment, letting me know that you donated to the Shpak Family.
Any amount, large or small, either to their ChipIn fundraiser on their blog or their tax-deductible grant account (also on their blog)

and JUST LIKE THAT,
You are entered to win a $50 gift certificate to Fustini's, which means you've now got a great Christmas present for me.  which I am confident you will love as much as I do.

(Want an extra chance to win? SHARE the word with your friends, leave me a separate comment letting me know, and I'll give you an extra entry, simple as that!)


ONE DONATION... TWO SEPARATE GIVEAWAYS!!

AND...


If you are a friend of mine on Facebook, you received an event invitation titled "Leaf Worries Behind".
I'm not going to say anything more about it here, because I don't want a certain family to know anything about it. :) (Not sure if they read my blog or not... but just in case, I'm not saying any more!)

That little secret is a part of this as well... so share with everyone you know!

Now, go donate and leave comments so you, too, can win great prizes.
If you don't win,
Shannon and her family still do!


What are you doing here now? Stop reading... go donate!

(Then don't forget to come back and let me know you did so.)

I'll choose a winner on October 31st!