This May we’re focusing on “Moms” on the Help-Portrait blog, and our hearts were warmed by this event report from Manhattan, Kansas. Josh Hicks reports there was a 6-year-old girl, who was having her photo taken after she went through hair and makeup. She looked up at her mother and said, “Mom, I’ve never felt this beautiful before.”

“One of 30+ amazing stories,” Josh adds.

He continues: “Another lady took two different public transportation buses, using her laundry money for the week, to get to our event, so she could have her first photo taken of her family, ever.” Her kids were 5 and 7 years old. 

One of the greeters said, “Today’s event was one of the most incredible things I’ve ever been a part of. It’s third behind my wedding and the birth of my daughters and to think the leader of this event is only 21, and is his first public event he’s ever planned, is the most inspiring thing I’ve seen this year.”

Another guest, who was getting her photo taken said, “the person who organized this event, should get a million dollars because that’s how they made me feel today.”

“I learned so many things about my community in planning this event,” Josh says. “It made me take a step back and see everything in a different perspective. Seeing how local businesses would donate, spread the word throughout the shelters, and how volunteers that I’ve never met show up, and go all in to serve, made me feel a part of something way bigger than I thought it could. I see Manhattan in a completely different way now, and love this town harder than I did before.”

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