My brother Mike in Denver forwarded out my blog to co-workers. One of these co-workers has a brother who is a writer for the Daily-Nebraskan.
Please click on the link below to read the article.
Daily Nebraskan - Child institute opens heart in photo gallery
The Nebraska Heart Gallery is getting local coverage!
WOWT's Tracy Madden came to our studio to interview Jaryd, one of the Heart Gallery kids. The story should air in October near the kick-off event.
I'll be sure to let you know when it airs.
KMTV3 did a piece, interviewing Chalonda and Child Saving Institute. The piece aired 9/19/05.
We are so grateful to the local stations and reporters giving this project their time!
My sister Stephanie Heller, who volunteers with CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) was the one who told me about the first Heart Gallery in New Mexico. She learned of the concept from an article in Parade Magazine earlier this year. Stephanie is passionate about helping children and she knew a heart gallery would be a wonderful thing for the children in Nebraska needing homes.
In case you aren't familiar with the idea, Heart Galleries are exhibits of photographs of children who need to be adopted. Working with adoption agencies photographers all over the United States have been lending their talent to help children have a better life.
Over the years Malone & Co has adopted families at Christmas, but this was a way to really help. A way to give the ultimate gift, one that cannot be out grown, one that would keep on giving, one that has the potential to be the perfect fit. We have the opportunity to help a child find a home FOREVER.
As Child Saving Institute(CSI) took on The Nebraska Heart Gallery project, Malone & Company agreed to photograph and make prints of 50 of Nebraska's many children currently searching for adoptive homes. Mike and Patty Malone, Geoff Johnson, Andrew Marinkovich, Angela Fehringer, Stephanie Kimberling and myself were all on board! Other area photographers have stepped up as well, and I hope many more will kick in as this continues.
So far our crew at Malone & Co has photographed over 30 children, from age 2 to age 16, sibling groups or indiviually, from the quiet to the energetic. Some opening up to us immediately knowing this was a way to reach out. Others started out tough because they have been hurt and let down so many times. They all ended up happy to think there is a little more hope.
The people at CSI, Shana, Christie and Brenda to name a few, have taken this head on. Working with our schedules, those of the children, case-workers and foster parents, to bring as many children as possible to the attention of caring people who might to give these children a home.
To say the least these children have touched our hearts!
Please meet these children that we are so fond of by visiting this site: Nebraska's Heart Gallery
Please spread the word about this awesome project to anyone, anywhere that you feel might be able to help or could help get the word out. THere will be a kick-off event held in October where large photographs will be on display of children who need to be adopted. The more awareness the better to help make a connection.
For more information about adoption please visit these websites:
Child Saving Institute
Adopt US Kids
Lutheran Family Services
Adoption Links Worldwide
New Mexico's Heart Gallery
New Jersey's Heart Gallery
Back into Shanghai Saturday for a visit to the Bund (famous skyline on river/bay area). Then a quick walk to the Peace Hotel for a piece of Chinese history, and a great elevated view of the Bund. Saturday night we enjoyed fine dinning at Mr. Pizza- pizza with a Chinese touch.
Sunday morning we had a wonderful time bargaining at the market, and we had to buy two new suitcases to get all the new stuff home. The market is a great place to do shopping for the holidays, if only it were cheaper to get to China.
After 4.5 hours of airline delays getting from Beijing to Shanghai, it was early to bed. Friday morning we took off early for Nanjing, 2.5 hrs by speed train, west of Shanghai. I met up with a soccer teammate, from college, now working in Nanjing. It was great hanging out with a familiar face, and seeing his world. He was a great guide, and full of info about China. Thanks for your perspective and time with us tourist Mr. Longe!
The Forbidden City was a great experience. If you've watched the Last Emperor, so much of the city has a familiar feel to it. It felt as if you were walking through such a rich history- except that the whole place is under construction for the Olympics in 2008. Hopefully they will be done in time, so those tourists don't have to fight the construciton to get a photo.
The afternoon we spent walking around the Summer Palace. My hopes of a tranquil stroll through a quiet place were shattered after pulling up and seeing all the tour buses in a huge parking lot. Despite the crowds- there was still much beautiful scenery to take in.
We ended the day at one of the markets. Bargaining for everything from a Yao Ming jersey to an extra suitcase to take all the "good buys" home. Chances are good to hit up one more market in Shanghai.
All day Thursday was spent in route from Beijing to Shanghai- which included 3 hours of sitting on a grounded plane- not fun. But intersting to see the locals get worked up.
Tomorrow- Adrianne and I head to Nanjing to meet up with an old soccer teammate from college. Looking forward to hang'n with a local, as he's been here for about a year.
Adrianne and I decided one trip to the wall wasn't enough. So we went back to the Great Wall at Simatai. Simatai is about 3 hrs away from where we are staying and it is a lot less touristy. The climb is also more challenging- but was a welcomed workout.
We had a local guide us on the wall, and we bought a couple t-shirts from her at the end- one because our clothes were drenched in sweat, and two because we were her only chance to make any money the whole day. We finished the climb and returned to the valley in just under 3 hrs. As we were coming down the clouds started to roll in, and no sooner did we get in the car- did it start to down pour. It was a huge thunder storm- and just 2 days ago a girl had been struck by lightening and killed on this section of the wall. After a four hour trip home, nearly getting stuck in a mud puddle, and a couple detours- we made it back a little tired and passed out early.
Tuesday we had the opportunity to go with Adrianne's mother to a meeting with one of their suppliers (the reason for their trip to China). It was great to sit and hear both sides interact. Not much was lost in translation, but the language differences provided an interesting meeting. Once the discussions were over we took a factory tour. It was raining, and the workers were on lunch break- so we didn't see much. I was able to photograph the toured areas though. The group we meet with took us out to dinner at another one of the famous duck restaurants. The food just kept coming out. I sampled duck tongue, liver, and stomach. Just can't get enough of it. Glad for the opportunity to try new things.
The first meal in China, last night proved interesting. I have acquired a taste for duck hearts and feet. I'm sure there will be more adventurous tasting to come. The food here seems to be more of a mental battle than actual taste. Helps to have a chaser as well.
We spent a foggy day on the Great Wall. Pretty amazing to be walking on a piece of such unbelievable history.
