Artist Laura Fuller At Her 129 Congress Street Fuller Glass Studio

By Carol McCracken

The public is invited to a Gratitude Party hosted by Laura Fuller & Friends who want to thank everyone in person for supporting their recent three-week journey to an orphanage near Harare, Zimbabwe.  The journey to deliver clothes and medicines to 95 babies and children who’ve been orphaned by parents with AIDS took place earlier this year.  The trip was possible because of the generiousity of friends and businesses in the Greater Portland area.  Laura & Freinds are excited about the opportunity to thank supporters personally for making it happen.

While others may dream of a trip to a more tourist-friendly location, this trip made it possible for Laura to live out a long-held dream – to give hope to these orpans and relieve some of their anxieties about the future – who through no fault of their own are victims  of a no-win situation.  Laura knows about that because her daughter, Delaney, died five years ago of a genetic enzyme deficieny.  Delaney’s longevity was far longer than doctors’ predicted.   She lived to be nine years old.  Laura relates.

The Gratitude Party this Friday, June 5th is part of the First Friday Art Walk in which Fuller Glass Studio always participates.  It runs from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.  Zeile August will provide music with her guitar and singing.  Copies of her new album will be available for purchase.  Refreshments will be served.

A fundraiser to directly benefit the Newstart Children’s Home in Africa will be held later this summer at a larger space than Laura’s Congress Street  Studio to accommodate all those who have expressed interest in supporting these orphans.  

Requoting Laura from a May 8th article MHN ran on her return on April 1st from overseas:  “No matter how bad your life is, there is always someone worse off than you.  I feel at peace with my life now.”
Please visit delaneysheart.org for more information.