Michelle Baumgartner first began to support COAT Inc. when she and her husband were going through the International Adoption Program in 2007. Michelle had reconnected with her teaching colleague Linda and began to sponsor a child in Jiaozuo.

In 2009, Michelle travelled to China with her mother Carolyn and daughter Jess, to meet the children in the Eagles Wings Foster Homes. They stayed with the children and fell in love. Part of that trip involved a visit to the Orphanage school (started by Linda and taken over by the Orphanage in previous years) and it became apparent to Michelle and Carolyn that there was a need to improve conditions in the school. Six months later, Michelle and Carolyn returned to China and worked with another mother / daughter team from the United Kingdom to set up a new school for the children from the Eagles Wings Foster Homes. This involved purchasing resources, training teachers and modelling teaching skills and strategies. 

Michelle has travelled to China many times, with and without her family. Most trips have involved intensive teacher training, purchasing of resources, visiting other schools and orphanages, supporting teachers to create individual learning plans for students and providing professional development for staff, local foster families and orphanage staff.

She has a deep love for the Chinese people and Chinese history and culture and remains committed to supporting families with children with special needs in Jiaozuo.