Adoption Backstory Inspires Volunteer
Taylor Gromatzky’s connection to Hope Cottage Pregnancy and Adoption Center goes back to birth. She was adopted through the agency by her mom, Kimberlee Gromatzky.
“They called on a Friday and said, ‘Come pick up your daughter Monday morning,’” said Kimberlee.
That was on Valentine’s Day 25 years ago. Today, Taylor serves as president of the Hope Cottage Leadership Council, a group of young professionals looking to support the agency through fundraising and awareness.
As part of her duties, Taylor is responsible for helping to plan the second annual Serving Hope sand volleyball tournament on April 18, which functions as the group’s key fundraiser.
Proceeds from the tournament go to Hope Cottage’s Foster to Adopt program, which takes children out of dangerous situations identified by Child Protective Services and puts them in loving homes.
Last year’s event consisted of eight teams and raised $5,000. Taylor wants to see both of those figures double this year, which she admits is a big goal.
“We had a parent and child who went through Foster to Adopt come and speak briefly [last year], and you kind of saw where all this money is going,” Taylor said.
save the date
WHAT: Hope Cottage Leadership Council’s Serving Hope volleyball tournament
WHEN: April 18 from 1:30 – 5 p.m.
WHERE: Sandbar Cantina and Grill
servinghope-registration.eventbrite.com
Not only is the tournament, which takes place at the Sandbar Cantina and Grill in Deep Ellum, a great opportunity for fun and fundraising, but involved families like Taylor and her mom hope it will bring greater awareness to the 97-year-old organization.
“We want everybody in the DFW area to know their name, because they’ve been around so long,” Taylor said. “To get that ball rolling and create this group has really helped their exposure in the community.”
After all, adoption through the agency was a success in their case.
“One of the reasons I wanted to get involved — it sounds cliché — was because I had the world’s best childhood. I had two loving parents … and I feel like I attribute everything to being adopted,” Taylor said.
Taylor’s parents were open with her about her adoption from the start. Their family chemistry clearly clicked, and Taylor and Kimberlee work together as realtors with Dave-Perry Miller Real Estate.
“She turned out to be very good with people, but she’s also very organized,” Kimberlee said. “She’s more left-brain, and I’m more right-brain.”
And that’s just the sort of thing they hope to showcase through the volleyball tournament — that Hope Cottage helps create the perfect match.
