Wendy’s Wonderful Kids, the Oklahoma Department of Human Services and KTUL-TV in Tulsa proudly announce The Waiting Child Heart Gallery will open with a children’s party honoring the children who are a part of the exhibit on Sept. 14 at The Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks.  

The beautiful black and white images of the children remain in Jenks until Sept. 30 and then move to the Tulsa State Fair, where they will be found at the KTUL NEWS Channel 8 booth on the main floor of Expo Square until Oct. 11. OKDHS case workers will be on hand at the Tulsa State Fair to answer any questions. The exhibit then tours the state of Oklahoma for one year.

Together with some of the state's best photographers, OKDHS, Wendy’s Wonderful Kids Foundation and NEWS Channel 8 have joined together to bring these young faces to the public to raise awareness about adoption.

This is the fourth production of Waiting Child Heart Gallery in Oklahoma. The last three series toured Oklahoma in 2002 and 2004 and 2006 resulting in more than 100 of the featured children being adopted with many more inquiries for adoption. Sponsors of this year’s exhibit would like to see all of the children find permanent homes.

The Waiting Child Heart Gallery subjects are also anxious to find a forever home. The children have touched the hearts of each photographer as they met with the children to photograph them. A written statement from each photographer travels with the portraits and gives a different view through the eyes of the photographer.

For more information, contact Gay Larson, Waiting Child Heart Gallery coordinator, at (918) 445-9309.