Heart Gallery - Ben, Marissa and Luis

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By KVAL-TV

Story Published: Dec 2, 2008 at 10:08 AM PST

BEN AND MARISSA ARE SEEING THEIR LITTLE BROTHER LUIS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME.
HE LIVES IN CORVALLIS, THE OLDER TWO LIVE IN PORTLAND.
WE VISITED RESER STADIUM THE DAY BEFORE THE CIVIL WAR GAME.
OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY'S CULINARY DIRECTOR FOR ATHLETICS, RAUL VERA GAVE THE KIDS SOME BEAVER T- SHIRTS.
AFTER SEVERAL YEARS IN FOSTER CARE... BEN AND MARISSA RECENLTY MOVED TO A NEW FOSTER HOMES WHERE LUIS  MAY SOON JOIN THEM. THIRD GRADER MARISSA ADAPTED QUICKLY TO THE MOVE AND HER NEW SCHOOL.

("Alot of people have the same kind of shirts.  It's cool because every grade gets to stay with like the same grade.")

FOR 6TH GRADER BENJAMIN, THE MOVE WAS HARDER.
HE HAD TO LEAVE HIS FOOTBALL TEAM WHERE HE WAS THE QUARTERBACK.
NOW HE'S FOCUSED ON HIS FAVORITE SUBJECTS IN SCHOOL, MATH AND SCIENCE.... AND IS LOOKING FORWARD TO GOING TO OUTDOOR SCHOOL, OVER WINTER BREAK

("You stay away from your family for a week.  It's kinda hard though...."
"So it's uh...?"
"It's all outdoors....but there's cabins so you can sleep and eat. 
So have you done this before?
"No it's my first time.")

IT WEIGHS HEAVILY ON BEN THAT THE THREE OF THEM HAVEN'T BEEN ADOPTED.
HE WORRIES ABOUT HIS LITTLE BROTHER.
LUIS IS IN THE SECOND GRADE AND LOVES TO FOLLOW AROUND HIS BIG BROTHER AND SISTER.
BEN HAS A WISH FOR ALL OF THEM.

("A dad who loves to play sports and be outdoors, like go hunting and fishing and a mom who loves to cook and a grandma who will cook you cookies whenever you want.")

THEIR CASEWORKER SAYS, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS THESE THREE STAY TOGETHER.

("These kids are really bonded to each other which is a huge, huge gift that they give to each other and that they bring to a family.")

WE PLAYED FRISBEE ON RESER FIELD..  IT WAS A GREAT TIME.
THE PARENTS WHO ADOPT BEN, MARISSA AND LUIS WILL BE BLESSED WITH BRIGHT, LOVING CHILDREN WHO HAVE A LOT TO OFFER THEIR FOREVER FAMILY.
 AND IF THEY'RE BEAVERS, TOO....THE KIDS WOULD PROBABLY LIKE THAT.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BEN, MARISSA AND LUIS, YOU CAN CALL (503) 674-3610 EXTENSION # 303....OR YOU CAN CALL THE HEART GALLERY AT 954-9626.

Here are the December locations for The Heart Gallery:
Market of Choice 29th & Willamette St.,  Kendall Auto Group,  Cornerstone Cafe and Bakery, Eugene Airport, Gateway Mall,  Friendly Street Market,  Oakway Center, T-Caps or go to our website at KVAL, KPIC AND KCBY-DOT COM.

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