Chicago Teen Gives Back To Her Littlest Heroes
At 16, Felicia Reinhard seems like any other Chicago area teen. But she's far from that. Fee, as she likes to be called, turned her love for photography into an organization called Littlest Heroes. "The goals of our organization is to help shed some light on some very amazing little heroes who are sometimes forgotten due to their illnesses and because of other current events that seem to overshadow some of these very serious diseases these children are facing. We help families who have children who are currently fighting multiple different illnesses, and we invite survivors as well. We also have a program set up for people who want to give back, it's called the "iBelieve" Team," she said.
Fee is very active in her community working every weekend in her churches homeless ministry. She also spends time during the week working in a local daycare center. "I love working and being around children. I babysit often and spend lot's of spare time just going outside with the neighborhood children," she said. She's also in the midst of her ACT college entrance exams. But all of this doesn't keep her from the project she founded.
"The Littlest Heroes Project is my special photography organization that I set up in January of this year. It started out with just a few photographers who I was in contact with via the website www.flickr.com. After a few months of talking with people about the kids who I was in contact with from my prior foundation work, I decided to come out and ask if other photographers were willing to donate their services to help the children."
It turned out many people wanted to be a part of this. "Right now we are up to about 50 photographers on the team from all different states. Our goal is to get photographers from every state on our team so we will never have to turn a family away from getting a session done with us. Through my charity works I have met hundreds of people who have supported everything I have set up and I am so grateful for that. I have been in contact with up and coming singer Chantelle Paige for a few months regarding my organization. She is now helping raise money by selling t-shirts with funds going towards our little heroes to help fund their photoshoots.
Jessica Nash is an Oregon based photographer who is a part of the project. "First of all I got involved with the Littlest Heroes Project early this year," she said. I have a photography MySpace and Fee was one of my friends on there and I was very interested in her bulletins about the project. So I emailed her and wondered if she needed someone in the Oregon area. She quickly said 'Absolutely!' As for the little heroes, Fee did most of the work getting my first hero in contact with me. After the first contact was made, we just kept talking until we found a date that she would be at Dorenbeckers (hospital) and then I would come up and meet them. The rest of my heroes started to emerge from that one session. I did three that first night and was scheduled to do a few more later. These little kids have so much against them, and to be able to do something nice for nothing makes you feel so good. To have them smile at you while they have tubes and bald heads just brings tears to your eyes. Most of my heroes have been cancer patients.
Organizing such a lofty project requires time and money. And the cost to the families that want to participate? "Nada, nothing, zilch, zero! This is our way of giving back to YOU. Because of generous donations from supporters around the nation...and from the heart of each photographer on the team your session and photos are on us!"
Fee looks at her own life as the impetus for Littlest Heroes. "My own personal life has impacted the way I look at life now in many ways. I was born with many health complications because my birth mother chose to do drugs when she was pregnant with me. Because of this my first few months on this earth were very difficult for me. I also have health issues that I will end up facing for the rest of my life because of her choices. But I guess I have decided not to look at my life and my issues and mope around, instead I like to get up, get out, and make something of it! For me doing everything I do is a way to give back and help children who are suffering like I once did. I can see a little bit of myself in their innocent eyes."
The impact is amazing. The project is something the families, who are going through unimaginable times, appreciate.
"JC is having his photo shoot tomorrow HOORAY! He got out of the hospital yesterday and is doing well. What you are doing for all of these families is wonderful. My daughter is so excited about tomorrow. Thanks for everything"
"Hi, Fee.Just wanted to say hi and thank you again for hooking us up with Jason Caine! He is so awesome! Hope all is great with you and the project! God bless!"
Late last year, Deanna Gunty found out her 1 year old daughter Adriana was suffering from neuroblastoma, a cancerous tumor behind her heart. Deanna wanted other families to understand this disease and that's when Fee stepped forward. "When I received an email from Fee I read about what she was doing and I thought what a great way to help get the word out about childhood illnesses through pictures of actual kids who have to face this. I had never heard of the type of cancer my daughter had. Never knew it existed. So I am so excited that Fee decided to do this. Even if you're not put on this journey in life, I think it's important to know. All the pictures are so amazing."While there are many photographers donating their time and talent to this project, Fee is always looking for more. "Right now we are looking for people who are able to spread the word about our organization to their local hospitals and just by word of mouth to friends and family. Everyone knows a family who could benefit from what we are doing. Our organization is a lot like "Flashes of Hope" but on a more personal level. Our photographers travel not only to hospitals but also to the children's homes and locations of the families choice because we understand all of the children are at different points in their various treatments. We also don't just photograph cancer patients. We cover a vast number of different illnesses which you can learn all about on our website. Right now we are not taking money donations but we are taking donations of toys and other prop items to give to the children during their sessions. All information about that can be found on the iBelieve page on our website. And we are always looking for professional photographers who would like to join the team and start giving back!"
"This program has really helped me to branch out and really show people through my work with photography my true passions in life. A picture is worth 1,000 words. I always think everyday how awesome this can get as we grow and the number of photos and stories grow as well."
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