A doubles horseshoe tournament on Saturday raised funds for a local woman striving to adopt her young goddaughter.
All funds raised at the event will go toward costs for Janette Bateman to adopt Adalia.
Ricky Sandoval and Jarod Biondich rounded out the tournament in first place while Rochelle Badback and Darrian Smith took second. Ryan Olsen and Cody Moynier finished the day in third. In addition to the tournament, those in attendance also enjoyed a raffle, food, face painting and a bake sale.
“A huge thanks to my family and everyone that came to the horseshoe tournament today to support Day and I,” Bateman shared. “You have no idea how much it means to us both. So, to everyone who came and also to all of the ones who couldn’t make it but still helped, thank you. It makes me so happy to see all the love and support we have in this.”
Bateman has been caring for her goddaughter for over two years. Now, she aims to makes the arrangement permanent by officially adopting Adalia.
“A little over two years ago, I was blessed with the privilege to be the legal guardian of a beautiful six-month-old baby girl,” she explained. “She needed a home, stability, love and a family, something her parents could not give her at the time. Although only 20 years old, I knew I was capable of providing her with the motherly needs and love a six-month-old baby would need. All the late nights, upset stomachs, fevers, diaper changes, bottles, lullabies and bedtime stories, I was there to love and care for her when she needed it the most. Two years have passed now and I’m the mother she knows and loves. Her biological parents, who were once my best friends growing up, have been in and out of her life since she was four months old. She’s my biggest blessing and I can’t imagine my life without her. Now, I would like to make it official and fully adopt her so we can get on with our lives.”
Donations for adoption costs are still being accepted online. For more information or to donate, please click here.