Meet Mazie Grace: This is the 3-year-old's journey from Haiti to Cadott

Meet Mazie Grace

Almost five months ago a Cadott couple welcomed home a little girl from Haiti just weeks after an earthquake devastated the island. Now, they hope an upcoming annual event will help some of the orphans still waiting to be adopted.

As three-year-old Mazie Grace giggles her way around her mama's gardens, it's hard to picture her anywhere else. Yet, less than half a year ago, it was an earthquake that actually sped up her years-long adoption process allowing Sandi and John Polzin to bring their daughter home.

"It has been an amazing journey of emotion,” Sandi says smiling. “We have been blessed, overjoyed, overwhelmed, and every emotion in between."

Sandi says it's sometimes still surreal to be able to rock her daughter to sleep every night. But, she says getting used to the sleep schedule of a little one was hard on her and her husband. The language barrier was also tough; when they picked Mazie up at the airport she spoke only French-Creole. But, as she played with her mom on a sunny afternoon, it became clear Mazie picked up a lot of English in her first months here.

"I think the joy every day is (when I say) 'really Maize, you know that already?' And her laugh and her getting up in the morning and saying 'morning mama, morning daddy,'” Sandi tells us.

But, the move was also a very difficult adjustment for Mazie, who Sandi says deeply missed her Haitian family at the orphanage. Though, as her young daughter's memories fade, it's now Sandi who shows her pictures so she doesn't forget.

"I think she appreciates everything she has," Sandi says.

And Sandi hopes others in the community won't forget about Haiti either. The Polzins host a Flowers and Fireworks Show every summer at their Down to Earth Garden Center in Cadott. Donation baskets benefit the orphanage Mazie once called home.

"That's pretty special because we want to make a difference. We want to teach people what loving and serving looks like," Sandi says.

Next Saturday, June 26 will be the sixth annual event. Sandi says every year hundreds of people line up their chairs to watch the free fireworks show. What started as a way for them to give back to their community now has a much more global message.

“We are so blessed in this country and for them just to learn a little more on how underprivileged these children were and are. We can make a difference right here in our communities with our local missions and far away missions if we just make an effort," Sandi says.

It’s a message that maybe couldn't be made any clearer than through a little girl's happiness at her new home.

Everyone is invited to the Flower and Fireworks Show on Saturday, June 26 at Down to Earth Garden Center. The address is 22223 Cty Hwy O, Cadott. (Sandi warns--don't get it confused with the new Eau Claire Center!)

The Wissota Raptors 4-H will be selling food. There are also inflatable rides and games. Fireworks start at dusk. Don’t forget to bring a chair or blanket.

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