MACKENZIE HOWE | staff writer
courtesy | WOLF FAMILY
Barrett Wolf's homemade bracelets have helped him
raise over $5,000.


The young and determined son of Cougar soccer coach, Wolf, raises funds to join his parents and meet his new brother.

“Seven-year-old Barrett Wolf was $965 short of his $1000 goal to pay for his trip to Russia to adopt a baby brother. Although a goal like that may have seemed impossible for a 7-year-old, four months later, not only has he met his goal but he has raised $5,255.

Over two years ago, the Wolf family decided to adopt from Russia after having their third child. Barret is the oldest, and only, son of Azusa Pacific men’s soccer coach Phil Wolf and his wife Melanie. When he found out there was going to be an additional boy in the family, he decided he was going to accompany his parents to Russia for the adoption.

His parents first response was “no” because of the cost. But that didn’t stop Barrett. He began by collecting recyclable bottles and cans, which alone raised $578.

His mother Melanie, who works in APUs D-group office, taught the kids in Sunday school at the Church of the Open Door in Glendora how to make bracelets for mother’s day.

Barrett began making them as birthday and holiday gifts for members of his family and now to raise money for his trip to Russia.

“Maybe I can make one for my trip to Russia!” Barrett recalls saying to his mother.

“You’re a genius,” he remembers was her reply.

And that is when the bracelet craze began.

Since Phil and Melanie both work on APUs campus, they’ve opened up their house on Wednesday nights for students to come over and make bracelets.

The bracelets are comprised of colorful glass beads strung on wire that coils six times around the wrist, and each of them displays an angel charm that says ‘Made for an angel.” The childs size bracelet sells for $5 and the adult size is $10. The bracelets are in such high demand that they often get behind in their orders, needing all the help they can get.

Barrett’s big idea became a hit at school, church, and APU. His story was highlighted in their adoption agency’s newsletter.

Many of his teachers wear them, and he often gets orders delivered right to his desk at school. The first day of vacation bible school he brought 10 bracelets with him to see if anyone would be interested. By the end of the day he had sold out and had $70 worth of orders.

He recently reached $5000, and says he continues to raise his goal to $6000 or even $7000. The money has already paid for his passport and the rest will cover his airfare, food, lodging, souvenirs, and a possible donation to the orphanage. If he raises enough, he may even pay for his new brother’s plane ticket home.

Students, friends and family have not only supported Barrett by buying bracelets, but also by helping to make them or donating beads. Others have also been helping Barrett to collect recyclables. After this year’s opening football game, a group of students showed up at the Wolf household with bags of recyclables from the game.

Phil and Melanie will make an initial trip next fall to meet their new son, and then a second trip to pick him up, a trip on which Barrett and his Russian grandmother will go.

The Wolf family chose to adopt from Russia partially because Phil’s mother is from Russia and speaks the language fluently. For his birthday, Barrett asked for books on Russia so he could learn a little more about the country and the language.

“He’s gonna sleep with me in my room next to my bed,” Barrett said of his new brother.

Barrett says he is looking forward to having another boy in the family and teaching him to play soccer. He feels it is important to go see his brother’s home if his brother is going to see his home.