Lenses of Love

Valerie Koop, a friend and fellow photographer, lost her husband to cancer last weekend. Many broken hearts are left behind, including those of 2-year-old Claire and 5-year-old Caeden (not sure which is which). I can’t even begin to comprehend what this change means for their young lives. I do know this … Val is an amazing mother and has one of the most beautiful spirits of anyone I know. You can read more about their story on Val’s blog at beinthemomentphoto.com/blog/ (make sure to grab some tissues … Val is a talented photographer AND writer).

If you feel moved and want to help out, the Mile High Photographers are gathering monetary donations to provide a few weeks worth of meals for Val and her family. You can make a donation here (just a quick registration process): http://ezregister.com/events/2385

If you would like to contribute to a college fund set up for Caeden and Claire send donations to:

Minuteman Community Federal Credit Union, 301 E. North St., Rapid City SD 57701 (605-394-1772)
Attn: Wayne Koop Children Education Fund.

Please make checks payable to: Wayne Koop Children Education Fund.

Here is a quick snap I caught of Val at the Jinky Workshop we attended together this summer … pure magic. We’ve been blessed with a circle of love and friendship that will carry us through the difficult times together.

Earlier this spring I started Lenses of Love as a way to give back to my world. The images from the earthquake in Haiti broke my heart and inspired me to find a small way to help. Enter the Simpson Family. Isaac is one of my son’s best friends. We heard through the grapevine that they took off unexpectedly to pick up their daughter, Stephana, in Pittsburgh … much sooner than anticipated. Their story gave me the idea to contact photographers across the country to offer limited edition Lenses of Love sessions to raise money for the orphans in Haiti. We were able to donate over $3,000 to Kentucky Adoption Services, an amazing organization working hard to help children in Haiti. And the rest in history. This sweet girl has her dad AND brother AND mom wrapped around her little finger. She is slowly, but surely, warming up to all the people who just want to pinch her cheeks and give her big hugs. As part of the Hearts for Haiti program, I also pledged to give Haitian adoptive families in the Denver metro area free mini sessions. The images below are just a tiny peek into the beautiful images from our time together.

Just a quick note from Stephana’s dad:

Please, please take a moment to look at this and help my family with our adoptive daughter. Please take the time to contact your representative and senator and ask them to support HR 5283 in the House and S 3411 in the Senate.

Three U.S. Senators have proposed legislation to help the Haitian children that came into the U.S. under the “Humanitarian Parole” status/coverage after the earthquake gain more immediate citizenship status. Currently, the USCIS is requiring the Haitian children who entered the U.S. on a Humanitarian Parole visa after the earthquake to remain in the country for a period of two years prior to being eligible for US citizenship, even if their adoption has already been finalized by the US judicial system.

Without the rights of citizenship, these children and their families could face multiple challenges. The Help HAITI Act of 2010 (also known as the Help Haitian Adoptees Immediately to Integrate Act of 2010) was introduced to both the House and Senate in May and has already been referred to the corresponding Committees on the Judiciary.

If passed, these Acts “authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to adjust to permanent resident status an alien who was granted parole admission into the United States pursuant to the humanitarian parole policy for certain Haitian orphans announced on January 18, 2010” (www.opencongress.org). In order to give these children every benefit and assurance of stability after an already stressful ordeal, please contact your U.S. Senator or Representative in the House of Representatives and ask them to support this legislation (HR 5283 in the House and S 3411 in the Senate).

Representative: https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

Senator: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Thank you for all your support. Check with your Lenses of Love photographer, a few have chosen to extend their deadline to 2/21 to encourage the last few interested people to sign up for their Limited Edition session. Book today to ensure your spot … and remember, 100% of the sitting fee to Kentucky Adoption Services. My friend, Jeff, just let me know there are still orphans they are trying to get out of Haiti (and one passed the other day).

So please, take the time to preserve your family memories and help a child, too!