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Gallery Has A Heart In Connecting Families

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 18, 2008

PORT RICHEY - The goal is connecting "forever families" with children who long for a bed of their own, a yard to play in and a sense they belong.

The Progress Energy Heart Gallery on Tuesday started a monthlong exhibition in Center Court at Gulf View Square mall, 9409 U.S. 19. The traveling exhibit features the faces and stories of local foster children ready for adoption.

Since its inception two years ago, the gallery has helped find permanent homes for more than 26 special-needs foster children. An additional 22 youngsters are currently visiting or matched with prospective adoptive families, a news release states.

In addition, the exhibit has helped recruit dozens of volunteers who have committed to foster or adopt other local children, or who have given their time, talents and treasures to help further the gallery's mission of creating families.

Today in Pasco and Pinellas counties, nearly 4,000 youngsters are in the child welfare system because of abuse or neglect, and more than 500 are waiting to be adopted, the release states.

The Progress Energy Heart Gallery will be open during regular mall hours through Sept. 15. Gulf View Square is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 5:30 p.m. Sunday.

For more on the gallery, go to www.heartgallerykids.org.

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