Local community unites for Ukraine orphans

Patricia "Sister" Schubert Barnes met Ukraine missionary Kenny Payne 12 years ago at a Rotary Club meeting in Luverne, Ala.

When she heard him speak of his vision for an orphanage for Ukrainian children awaiting adoption, she knew she wanted to help.

Barnes visited the children at Gorlovka, Ukraine and her commitment was solidified. She and Payne have supported the facility since early 2000.

During a 2003 visit, Barnes was listening to her translator speaking with a nurse at the hospital when the nurse began to cry. Barnes asked what they were talking about.

It was about a boy who the nurse feared would never be adopted because he had two clubbed feet. The operation would not be performed on an orphaned child and he would most likely spend the rest of his life in a state-run institution.

Barnes was touched by the story and insisted on meeting him.

"As soon as I laid eyes on 2 ½-year-old Alexsey I knew he would forever be part of my life, I just wasn't sure how," Barnes said. "His mother had been murdered and he had no father of record."

She hired a nanny who cared for Alexsy for 14 months while she researched several avenues. Barnes found that the only way to help the boy was to bring him to the United States to have surgery on his feet.

"I made arrangements for the nanny and Alex to travel to America for treatment. Of course I fell in love with him and ended up adopting him a year ago," said Barnes.

Alex is now 5 years old and lives with Barnes and her family in Andalusia, Ala.

"He speaks broken English and after two surgeries, he's doing great. He runs and plays soccer," said Barnes.

Since 2000, the Barnes Family Foundation Barnes has sent approximately $500,000 in medical supplies and cash to support the work with these children. Her goal is to build Sasha's Home, a multi-family, foster care community that provides temporary families for orphaned children in Ukraine. The project will cost an estimated $1 million.

"People ask me why the Ukraine," said Barnes. "I didn't choose the Ukraine God chose it for me.

"Our vision is to have a place where these abandoned children have the opportunity to move out of hospitals and live in an enriching, loving environment," said Barnes. "Right now the system in Ukraine channels these abandoned children to crowded state-run orphanages where conditions are poor by Western standards."

Through her foundation, Barnes is renovating an old building that will be a brighter, warmer facility where the children can live while awaiting adoptions. This will be Sasha's Home.

The name Sasha is an affectionate nickname for children with the name Alexander or Alexandra in Ukraine.

LOCAL EFFORTS

Barnes owns a home in Seagrove and when in the area, visits Salon Twist.

The salon's owner, Gina Shiflett, was also moved by the story of the children and decided the Barnes Family Foundation was the perfect benefactor for her second annual Change the World Fundraiser.

"I have a heart to get involved and do what I can to help those less fortunate and find that the opportunity to speak to customers on a daily basis is my platform to evoke change; hence, the Change the World Fundraiser," said Shiflett.

Salon Twist's first fundraiser in 2006 raised $19,000 for insecticide-treated mosquito nets for African families.

Another client of Salon Twist, Lisa Burwell, owner of Cornerstone Marketing, also has pledged support. Burwell approached Alys Beach and singer/songwriter Greg Barnhill and both have pledged support for the event.

"A few people can come together to truly change the world right from our own backyard," said Burwell.

EVENT DETAILS

The second annual Change the World Fundraiser benefiting the Barnes Family Foundation for Sasha's Home in Ukraine will be an evening with award-winner Barnhill and a group of musicians from Nashville, Tenn., performing a "songwriters in the round" at Alys Beach's new Caliza Pool on Nov. 1.

Tickets to the fundraiser are $100 and can be purchased by calling Salon Twist at (850) 231-7853. Food and wine will be provided by Fire Restaurant in Grayton Beach. There will be a photo exhibit of Ukrainian orphans, synchronized swimming performances and the opportunity to bid on auction items.

Supporters may also purchase a tile in the Ukrainian orphanage Garden of Friends courtyard for $500 while at the gala. The goal is to sell 1,000 tiles. Each tile will be engraved with the donor's name and place of residence.

Corporate sponsors are needed to help make this event a successful fundraiser. Contact Lisa Burwell at (850) 231-3087 ext. 1 to learn how to help.