One of the Faces of Haiti

UPDATE - 2/2/2010

After a trip to Florida to pick up Geoffrey, the Lancers returned to Buffalo with Geoffrey on Friday, January 29. We're so grateful for this happy outcome, and have even had the opportunity to meet Geoffrey. He's a remarkably well-adjusted, happy boy, and my daughter loved playing with him.

UPDATE - 1/21/2010

Erin returned home last Friday on the 15th, but without Geoffrey. However, Erin and her husband Mike continue to work with the U.S. State Department to secure a visa to bring Geoffrey to the U.S. Things appear to be progressing well, and we hope to see Geoffrey on our street soon.

ORIGINAL POST - 1/14/2010

My family and I are very fortunate to live in a friendly, welcoming neighborhood. We've especially enjoyed residing beside our next door neighbors, a couple named Mike and Erin and their two children. They welcomed us into the neighborhood from the start and have always been great.

Lately, they've initiated an adoption for a beautiful Haitian boy named Geoffrey and just days ago Erin was in Haiti visiting Geoffrey when the catastrophic earthquake struck.

Fortunately, Erin and Geoffrey are safe, and now Mike is tirelessly doing everything he can to cut through the red tape and secure a passport for Geoffrey so they can finalize the adoption and bring Geoffrey home. Various elected officials have gotten involved, including NY Senator Chuck Schumer.

We wish we could help in a substantive way, but I at least wanted to post about our neighbors who have become our friends and a wonderful little boy who we hope one day will be our daughter's playmate.

You can read more about Erin and Mike, and their efforts to bring Geoffrey home through the links below:

Public Facebook Page Dedicated to Help Bring Erin Marshall Lancer and Geoff back from Haiti
1/14 Article from the Buffalo News
WGRZ (Buffalo) Local News - TV Piece

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