Dear Friends,
Thank you for all of your support this last year! With your help we have been able to share so many success stories (like Christina's below!) of children who have found their forever family. We couldn't do what we do without you. If you would like to give towards finding more permanent, loving families for AL foster children, it's not too late to make your tax deductible year-end gift! Click here to give.
Thanks again and may you have a very Happy Holiday Season!
|
|
|
Christina's Success Story
Heart Gallery had the pleasure of photographing Christina and now we have the greater pleasure of sharing her success story with you!
Her new mom and dad were kind enough to tell me a bit about meeting Christina and making her a part of the family:
"Once we met Christina, everything went really smoothly... We had a great social worker. We met Christina on 3-20-09 at Noculla Falls and were able to spend the whole day with her. We knew then she was our baby, we fell in love with her instantly. We talked with her every day on the phone until the adoption placement which was on 4-3-09, we had her the whole week end of 3-27-09. Taking her back to her foster mom after the weekend broke our heart."
"Christina is a smart, sweet, beautiful child, we are so blessed to have her as our baby. The adoption was final on 8-25-09, that was the best day ever. She loves to ride golf carts, jump on the trampoline, build stuff with logs, play ping pong and sing. She has met several friends in the neighborhood, they are usually at our house. We just love spending time together - this is going to be the best Christmas ever, since we now have our baby. The day we met her she hugged both of us as soon as she got out of the car, and she was comfortable with us right away, she was talkative - she talks non-stop.
"There is never a dull moment in our home. She is her Momma's world and Daddy's little girl. Our family is now complete. She has a sister, brother in law, nephew, maw maw, paw paw, grand ma, grandpa, cousins, aunts, and uncles that all love her and think the world of her."
Christina and her family:
Thanks for sharing your story with us!
|
|
Congratulations to our Award Recipients!
Heart
Gallery Alabama would like to extend our heartfelt thanks and
congratulations to this year's recipients of The Karen Nomberg
Volunteer Inspiration Award and the Photographer of the Year Award.
 The Karen Nomberg Volunteer Inspiration Award was presented to Julie Marks in
recognition of her outstanding work for HGA. Julie always goes over and
beyond the call of duty to further our mission and to help all of Alabama's children find loving homes. She is one of the founding members of HGA and has served on the Board of Directors since 2005. She is truly an inspiration. Thank you Julie! We would not be where we are today
without you!
 The 2009 Photographer of the Year Award was presented to Bill Crow, and
he couldn't be more deserving. Bill has photographed for HGA since its
beginning in 2005 and has taken the beautiful portraits of Torsha, Jimie,
Joshua, Jennifer, Jerry and more than a dozen others. His dedication to serving children through his art is wonderful to watch, and we couldn't be more appreciative. Thank you so much for your outstanding work Bill!
|
Brittany, born in March 1999, is a cute girl who is very sweet and
loving. She loves her long hair. Brittany likes to play with her
friends at school. Brittany needs parents who can help remind her that
she is a child and not the mother to her younger siblings. Brittany
needs help with staying focused and on completing her school work.
Brittany wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up.
Brittany needs structure, stability, patience, consistency and
positive attention. She also has two siblings who are being recruited
for separately. A connection will need to be maintained between the
three children.
Watch Brittany's video.
|
Jeremy, born January 2001 is an adorable little boy who loves
SpongeBob. Jeremy will be in first grade in the 2008/09 school year. He
receives speech therapy at this time. Jeremy enjoys playing basketball
and wants to be a basketball player when he grows up. Jeremy also likes
Spiderman. He is a very loving, active young boy.
Jeremy:
Kendrell, born July 2005 is a fun and active little boy. He has lots of personality and is very
friendly towards new people.
He loves to play outside
where he can run around. Kendrell walks and runs on his own, but falls
very often due to having an unsteady gait. He loves spaghetti, blocks
and balls.
Kendrell:
|
Meet Dustin
Photographed by: Lisa Marie
Dustin, born June 1992 is a mellow child whose favorite past time is drawing and collecting
car paraphernalia. He is usually pretty quiet but does need occasional
assistance with his temper and social skills. He is making steady
progress in these areas. Dustin is a smart child that could easily
succeed in his educational endeavors given a stable home environment.
Dustin enjoys being with others. He needs a family that will
provide him assurance that he will be their son forever. Dustin needs a
supportive, nurturing family to help him grow into a well-adjusted
young man. He needs a family that will understand his anxiety about his
past and his future and can assure him he deserves a loving, stable
home life. Dustin would like to stay in the Bibb County area to be near
his brother.
Listen to Dustin.
|
Meet Tamara, Tiara & Kenneth
Photographed by: Bill Crow
Tamara, born July 1997 is in the 6th grade (2009-10 school year). She
enjoys arts and crafts, singing and listening to music and hanging out
with a few special friends. Tamara is a well-mannered and respectful
child. She is a very sensitive girl whose feelings can be easily hurt.
She tries very hard to keep up the good grades. She is a clean and very
organized young lady, who enjoys doing chores around the house. Tamara
wants to become an artist or a model when she grows up. She's
fun-loving and energetic. She's a lot of fun to be around.
Tiara, born November 1998, is in the 5th grade (2009-10 school
year). She enjoys playing with her Nintendo DS and her dolls. Tiara
appears to be very quiet and shy around most adults. However, she is
totally opposite around other children. She really takes up a lot of
time with smaller children and babies. Tiara generally needs a little
extra help with her school work. She loves her sister and brother very
much. She loves to laugh. She keeps her room clean and she can do
general house cleaning activities. She loves playing games.
Kenneth, born February, 2001 is in the 3rd grade (2009-10 school
year). He loves school and his friends. He enjoys sports, drawing and
any activity that is physically or mentally challenging. He likes to be
first at everything and sometimes gets upset if he's not. He enjoys
family time like Bible study lessons, board games, watching T.V., etc.
Kenneth is somewhat shy, but likes to laugh once he gets to know you.
He loves his sisters even though they sometimes argue and pick at one
another. Kenneth will eat anything except turnip greens. He keeps his
own bathroom and bedroom clean. He can make his own bed and he picks
out his clothes for the day. He is a very loving child.
Watch Tamara, Tiara & Kenneth's video.
|
|
SAVE THE DATE!
Fotos, Frames and Fun is set for February 11, 2010 so mark your calendars. It will be held once again at Ted's Garage at 6:00pm. Silent auction items include:- a stay in a New York apartment near Central Park
- 4 Disney Park Hopper passes
- a framed and signed matte from the University of Alabama's Nick Saban
- gift certificates from Embassy Suites, Blue Spring Manor, Alabama Adventure and more
- art and photography packages from Virginia Jones, Kevin Pake, Stephen DeVries, Melissa Jones, Barbara Cook
- And the list goes on!
Take a look at these Live Auction items:- Wedding Photography donated by The Foto Atelier plus a free venue at Jones Valley Urban Farm
- Dinner at the Chef's Table at The Veranda on Highland, complete with paired wines for 8 people!
You don't want to miss this!If you are an artist, photographer or business and are interested in donating a piece of art, portrait package, or gift card/package for the auction, please e-mail Jessi.Thank you to our Event Sponsors:Steve Arnold of White, Arnold & DowdLori HinesSeth and Michelle WolnekSuzanne Ash
VisionFirst
Total Skin & Beauty
St. Vincent's Health SystemIf you are interested in becoming a Corporate Sponsor e-mail Jessi. Sponsors will receive recognition in all marketing surrounding the event, as well as a reserved table for 8 and extra drink tickets. Sponsorships are $750. |
Heart Gallery Alabama is a 501c(3) non-profit organization based in Birmingham, AL. HGA promotes adoption for children in Alabama's foster care system. Our hope is for all 300+ of Alabama's Waiting Children to find a permanent, loving family to call their own. |
To learn more about Heart Gallery Alabama and the children we serve, please visit www.HeartGalleryAlabama.com or call 205.445.1293
Heart Gallery Alabama
1801 Oxmoor Rd, Ste 101
Homewood, AL 35209
"There are no unwanted children. Only unfound families."
|
|
|
|
|
|
Save the Date!
Fotos, Frames & Fun
Thurs, Feb 11, 2010
Ted's Garage @6pm
|
|
Support HGA and our mission to find permanent, loving families for Alabama's Waiting Children!
|
A big thanks to our 2009 Sponsors!
Anonymous
Beasley Allen
Burke Harvey & Frankowski
Carpet Systems of Huntsville
The Cole Foundation
The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham
Extra Space Storage
Elizabeth McCormick
Lincoln Financial Foundation
Lori Hines
Regions Morgan Keegan Trust
Southland International Trucking
Suzanne Ashe
Total Skin & Beauty Dermatology
Wachovia Foundation
White Arnold & Dowd, P.C.
Wolnek Family Foundation
|
|
Another big thanks to our 2009 Photographers - we couldn't do this without you!
|
|
