D S S   P R E S S   R E L E A S E

For Immediate Release:
July 21, 2008

Contact: Brian Hauswirth
(573) 526-0407

Third Annual Traveling Missouri Adoption Heart Gallery On Display in St. Joseph

St. Joseph — The third annual traveling Missouri Adoption Heart Gallery will be on display in St. Joseph beginning tomorrow, July 22nd at the Buchanan County Courthouse. The 2008 Heart Gallery features professional photographs of 238 Missouri foster children awaiting adoption. Since the gallery began traveling across the state in 2006 more than 100 children have been placed in adoptive homes.

The Heart Gallery is sponsored by the Missouri Department of Social Services' Children's Division (CD) and the Adoption Exchange — Missouri. Professional photographers from across the state donate their time and talent to take the photographs, and local businesses, organizations and churches provide the space to host the gallery.

"The Heart Gallery is a perfect example of the positive impact we can have when the public sector, private organizations and individuals come together for a shared goal," said Paula Neese, CD Director. "We want to recognize the Buchanan County Courthouse and other groups that open their doors to host the gallery. My deepest appreciation goes out to everyone involved in the gallery on behalf of the children whose lives will be forever changed."

The 2008 gallery will appear in 22 venues in 16 cities across the state. A full schedule of stops can be found at www.moheartgallery.org.

What:

2008 Missouri Adoption Heart Gallery Display

When:

Tuesday, July 22, 2008; 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Where:

Buchanan County Courthouse
411 Jules
St. Joseph, MO

The media is invited to attend. Children's Division staff will be on hand for interviews if needed.