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MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - Whether it’s from the inside, or the outside, it’s easy to see Amy Holubar and Dawn Hunt have a crowded house in north Minneapolis. But when it comes to raising children, Mother Hubbard has got nothing on them.
"We have one 20-month-old, three 2-year-olds, a 3-year-old, a 4-year-old, two 5-year-olds, a 10-year-old and a 13-year-old,” Amy said. “And if you ask me their birthdays, I might be able to remember half."
The couple started fostering children a little over three years ago because Dawn's biological son wanted a brother or sister. Since then, they've adopted four kids, are in the process of adopting two more, and have taken in three others, with another one on the way.
"We don't have such a big space for our kids to play in,” Amy said.
All of their adopted children are Native American like Amy, and all are with special needs like Dawn, who was born with a cleft lip and pallet.
With their house only 1,000 square feet, they need a little elbow room. So the two bought the lot next door and got an architect to draw up plans for an addition – but now they need help coming up with the $90,000 to $120,000 it will cost to more than double the size.
"We have found a lot of sibling groups are being broken up because families can't take a sibling group,” Amy said. “Dawn and I are adamant about keeping kids together."
Their mission to keep siblings together has already turned their house into a home. Now they want to add on to it so they can continue to add on to their family.
"To us the kids can keep coming and we'll never tire of that until our bodies won't let us do it anymore,” Dawn said. “I'm ready for anything at this point. Bring it on."
How to help
Donations can be sent to:
Hunt Holubar Benefit
Att: Carrie Frost
6303 Old Central Ave NE
Fridley, MN 55432
952 736 4946
If you're interested in adopting or fostering:
www.hennepin.us/adoption
www.hennepin.us/fostercare