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BY BROOKE R. CANTRELLE

L’OBSERVATEUR

 

ADOPTION: Community can contribute through GoFundme or Venmo

 

DES ALLEMANDS — Adoption has been on Anthea Comardelle’s heart since she was a little girl.

That dream is finally coming to fruition, but it will take the support of the community to raise approximately $40,000 in time for Baby Comardelle’s birth.

All are invited to attend Cody and Anthea Comardelle’s “One Less Orphan” fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5 at the Des Allemands Assembly, located at 16976 Highway 90.

Lunch plates including fried fish & white beans, pulled pork and jambalaya will be sold for $10 each. The fundraising event will also feature gift basket raffles, a craft table and refreshments. According to Anthea, these special items include but are not limited to beautifully crafted earrings, Christmas ornaments, custom “One Less Orphan” facemasks, live plants and all-natural soy candles and wax melts. A Color Street nail package will be among the raffle prizes.

Visitors can also enjoy coffee, drinks and a variety of desserts.

Money raised will help cover agency fees, birthmother fees, service fees, attorney fees and other adoption-related expenses.

The Comardelle family has kept in constant contact with their baby’s birthmother, and the little one’s arrival is now only one month away.

“I’ve always had adoption on my heart. I remember when I was about 7 or 8, I was begging my parents to adopt a child, and I just don’t think that was a desire of theirs,” Anthea said. “That burning has never left my heart, and when my husband and I got together, this was something we talked about. He wasn’t too keen on the idea just yet. Over the years, I kept bringing it up and prayed about it. God totally transformed his heart.”

Cody and Anthea already have a 7-year-old son named Levi. For the past year, Levi has prayed nightly for God to bring him a baby brother. In a few short weeks, his new baby sibling will be ready to come home to Boutte, Louisiana.

Levi is most excited to gain a lifelong friend.

“I really want a baby brother because I’ve always wanted someone to play with me,” he said.

Anthea is grateful God has answered their family’s prayers, and she is blown away by the overwhelming love and support from local people and businesses.

Those who cannot make it to Saturday’s event can help the Comardelle family welcome their baby by donating to the “One Less Orphan” adoption fundraiser on GoFundme, available at the following link: gofundme.com/f/one-less-orphan-adoption-fundraiser

Donations can also be directed to @Anthea-Comardelle on Venmo.

“I think the act of giving a child a home and a loving family is what really draws me to adoption,” Anthea said. “There’s nothing better than having the love of a family.”