The memories have come flooding back as of late for Wayzata High School junior quarterback Sasha Doran.

Even to his surprise, most of them have been good.

A Russian orphan by the time he was 6-years old, Doran, who is 18 now, has been living in Wayzata since Mary Ellen and John Doran adopted Sasha and his two sisters Nadya and Elena from the Pechory Orphanage in their native country eight years ago.

This Christmas, for the first time since coming to live in the Doran's Wayzata home, Sasha will return to the place he called home from the time he was rescued off the streets in Russia and placed in the Pechory Orphanage, where he lived for three years.

Only upon his return, Sasha will bring with him an idea to, at least temporarily, adopt each of the 250 kids that are currently residing in the orphanage.

"Every Christmas we adopt a family, and this year I guess we are adopting a whole orphanage," said Sasha. "There are 250 kids in the orphanage, and 150 of them are over the age of 6. So we are just trying to raise enough money to give them things they need, like soap, toothpaste, shirts and stuff and maybe a toy or something else if we can afford it."

That will depend largely on the success of a fundraiser the Doran's are holding Dec. 12 in Hamel.

The family, with the help of numerous community members and businesses, has organized the effort, which will include music, a cash bar and a silent auction hosted by KARE 11 anchor and Wayzata assistant football coach Tim McNiff.

Admission for the event, which will run from 7:30 to 11 p.m. at the Hamel VFV, is $10, and all proceeds will go towards providing the current residents of the Pechory Orphanage with an opportunity to celebrate Christmas with the Dorans.

"Our whole family has had to really process the adoption at very deep and emotional levels," said Mary Ellen Doran. "Every year at Christmas, we try to do something as a family together to give back, and this is a little larger scale, but we thought 'what about doing something for those kids and showing some appreciation.'"

On a side-note, ESPN will also be along for the ride. The national sports network is working on a story about Sasha's rise from orphan to high school quarterback, and they actually presented the family with the idea of going back to Russia to get some footage of where Sasha and his two sisters came from.

Mary Ellen and John Doran just decided to add a twist to the trip.

"We are not going to go over there so they can film Sasha running up and down the stairs in his letter jacket," Mary Ellen said. "It seemed so ridiculous, but we thought it was a cool opportunity for all of us to go back to Russia and give back."

The family has created a website (www.helpsashagiveback.org) to help raise money for what they will be purchasing, and a donation fund has been set up at Voyager Bank in Wayzata under the heading "Help Sasha Give Back."

A "wild" six months

Sasha can't hardly walk the halls of Wayzata High School or any of the districts elementary schools without being asked to chat or sign something.

It's hard for him to grasp it now, but six months ago, hardly anyone outside of his ever-growing circle of friends knew who he was.

He didn't even play quarterback until making the switch from defensive back two years ago, and he wasn't named Wayzata's starter until two days before the Trojans season opening victory over Eastview.

That night, his first as a varsity quarterback, he connected on 14 of 15 passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns as Wayzata routed the Lightning 34-7.

By seasons end, he would end up throwing 19 touchdown passes for the Trojans, before Eden Prairie beat Wayzata in the Class 5A state quarterfinals.

Still, even with the disappointment of that loss to the Eagles still lingering, Sasha can't help but look back at what transpired and be thankful for the opportunities he was presented with.

"I remember how nervous I was before that first game," he said. "I was happy and excited, but it was hard to believe I was starting. Looking back, it's been wild. A lot has changed in my life, and I'm grateful for it."

The growing popularity in the school halls didn't change his demeanor. In fact, if anything, it's enlightened it.

For example, an area elementary student who was also once an orphan in Russia sent him an e-mail asking him how he dealt with the obstacles he faced, such as language barriers and making friends.

In Sasha's reply to the youngster, the first words he typed were this: Isn't being an orphan cool!

"It's opened my eyes," Sasha said. "I now know that if I do something it is going to affect others, so I have to make sure I'm making the right decisions if I'm going to have kids that are following me. I have a chance to make a difference in those kids lives, and hopefully help them get a better future and help them enjoy the fact that maybe they found a family just like I did."

Said Mary Ellen, "These little things he's doing for these kids that are adopted, he's helping to change their mindset. As his mom, I think that is the coolest thing that has come out of this whole thing."

The trip back

If so, this Christmas will be a close second.

Sasha admitted he's not a real emotional guy to begin with, but that the return trip to his native country might bring with it a mixed bag of feeling's he hasn't felt in nearly a decade.

"Going back, there will be some emotions, but I'm excited to see what it's like," said Sasha, who said it will help to have his girlfriend Abbey Kaine come with. "I have a lot of memories of that place. When I get back, I'm going to try and get to spots that we used to have fun at and see if I can remember. I can't wait to get there and see what it's like."

One of the things he will tote along for the ride is a couple of footballs, something he wasn't introduced to until after he was adopted.

"I remember the first time I picked one up and it bounced everywhere and I got mad," Sasha said. "They don't have football over there, the kids play soccer. I like soccer too, so I'll play whatever."

And he'll be doing it with his new community on his shoulders.

"This was not just the Doran family event," Mary Ellen said. " In many respects, it is a real community event. So many people in the community have contributed items for our silent auction. We really want to thank everybody who's gotten involved with this effort. Their work is really going to make a big difference for those kids."

It already has for the Dorans.

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