A New Kind of Outing

As the kids get older, I realize that our summer outings will have to evolve. The days of me picking and choosing the destinations on my likes and interests are coming to an end. I realize that I have to incorporate a few locations that appeal to those accompanying me on my outings.

Yesterday’s outing included errands and shopping. The girls came along , while Noah stayed home and kept an eye on the dogs. Not to mention, he would have hated every minute of this outing. Our first stop was to Open Books (651 W. Lake) to drop off the 12 boxes of books collected at the Northcenter Neighborhood Association’s Recycle Popup. Open Books was very happy to receive the donation.

We then headed over to Wicker Park. While the girls went over to Myopic Bookstore (1564 N. Milwaukee Avenue), I walked over to The North Face (1629 N. Damen Avenue) and dropped off a few pair of shoes. Did you know that The North Face will take any kind of shoe in any condition? If they can’t be reused, they will be recycled.

The girls do love visiting Barnes & Noble. However, I encouraged them to patronize the smaller business, to help support the little guy. We walked through Myopic and its three floors of wall to wall book shelves. Morgan was the only one to make a purchase.

It was then on to Crumbl Cookie (1513 N. Milwaukee Avenue). Little did I know when I chose the place, that it was a Tik Tok sensation. When I told the girls where we were going, they were ecstatic. We found out that the cookies are over priced, over hyped and just OK. Nothing beats a homemade cookie.

Right across the street from Crumbl Cookie was Buffalo Exchange resell shop. It was a very busy Wednesday, but Morgan was still finding some really fashionable finds.

On the way back to the car, we made a stop at the Wicker Park fountain for a quick picture. It wasn’t a typical outing, but still a nice time spent together.

Even though I am open to change, it doesn’t mean that I have completely given up going to places that I really like, while others might not entirely enjoy. But that’s OK, I’m still the mom.

A Barefoot Wine Event, Honoring Sue Naiden

Chicago Photographer | Sharon Gaietto Photography

On February 8th, I headed over to Unleashed in Lincoln Park. In their second year of Soles of the Year Program, Barefoot Wine was celebrating the great work of Sue Naiden. Sue is the founder of Trio Animal Foundation, a charitable organization that assists shelters, rescues and individuals by paying the medical bills of homeless pets.

The day was spent bringing attention to the high numbers of homeless animals and those in need of medical care, due to abuse and neglect. I was amazed on the rehabilitation of these dogs. After hearing some of their stories and seeing photos of their condition when they were rescued from shelters throughout the city, it was absolutely extraordinary to see how great they all looked.

Take Hippo, for example. When she was rescued from a shelter, she barely had any fur. She was in poor health and her condition was very grave. Now she is thriving, making appearances on WGN News and just enjoying all the love she is receiving.

Sophia Bush, from the NBC series Chicago PD, also participated in the event. She spent the day with the volunteers and learned about what the Trio Animal Foundation is all about.

It was truly an honor to spend the day with Sue Naiden and see the result of her hard work and dedication to her organization and to these animals. I never saw so many happy dogs. Wagging tails and sloppy wet kisses were not hard to come by. I loved spending time with the dogs and hearing about their stories from the wonderful group of volunteers that care for them.

I look forward to doing more events with the Trio Animal Foundation and seeing these beautiful dogs find loving families.

If you would like to make a donation to Trio Animal Foundation go to www.trioanimalfoundation.org. If you would rather send a check, please send it to: Trio Animal Foundation, 516 N. Ogden Ave. Suite #199, Chicago, IL 60642. All donations are tax deductible. 

A few photos from the event made it into the magazines

Starting the Year Off Right

I am well aware of how blessed me and my family are and how fortunate I am to have a successful business. It has always been a goal of Sharon Gaietto Photography to contribute to helpful organizations. Organizations that truly make a difference in the lives of so many. Last year those contributions were not made as regularly as in previous years. So, to ensure that this does not happen again, Sharon Gaietto Photography is making monthly contributions to 5 organizations that have touched my life in some way.

There are many days when I take for granted the fact I can just reach into my refrigerator or open my kitchen cabinets and pull out food. The thought of not being able to provide food for my family is frightening. Yet, this is a reality for so many people in our community. The Common Pantry has been providing food and personal care items to people since 1967. Their continuous support has helped out countless individuals and families that have found themselves on hard times.

You only have to turn on the local news to see what dangers our firefighters and paramedics face on a daily basis. Whether it’s fighting a three alarm fire or tending to a gunshot victim, or worse yet doing all this in subzero temperatures, these men and women go well beyond the call of duty. The Gold Badge Society is an organization that helps families cope with having lost a loved one in the line of duty. Their membership is comprised of the widowed and families of firefighters and paramedics who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Their purpose is to offer support and comfort to any and all who might benefit from their experiences. Being the wife of a firefighter, I am very thankful for their commitment to the families of the CFD.

When the weather takes a turn for the worse, whether it’s a severe thunderstorm or dangerously cold temperatures, I find myself being very thankful for having a roof over my head. Though, I remind my children of how fortunate we are to have a warm and safe place to live, they are reminded on a daily basis. A trip in the car usually doesn’t go by without seeing one of the many homeless that live on the streets of Chicago. The Night Ministry is a Chicago-based organization that works to provide housing, health care and human connection to members of our community struggling with poverty or homelessness. They work to address their immediate physical, emotional and social needs while affirming their sense of humanity.

Ten years ago we opened our home to a shelter dog. Though I was a little apprehensive, I have never regretted our decision to take her in. Our first baby, Zuzu, brought so much love and companionship to our lives. We are so grateful we had the opportunity to have her in our lives. PAWS Chicago has united 25,000 cats and dogs with new families since they started in 1997. Their mission to end the killing of homeless animals and find them loving and responsible families is an amazing gift this city has been given. It’s because of their dedication and love for animals, so many people will have the opportunity to invite a new family member into their homes and experience the unconditional love, a cat or dog can bring into their lives.

Having lost my mother to cancer in 2010, I am all to familiar on how destructive this disease can be. Not only did it slowly take our mother from us (an 8 year fight), it robbed us from so many wonderful years with her. So many birthdays, holidays and memorable events that were not the same, because she was not there. Being a mother of four, I can’t even fathom the thought of having a sick child. Having a child with a life-threatening disease is a nightmare of mine. A nightmare, that for so many is their reality every hour, every minute, every second of the day. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is the light at the end of a very long and dark tunnel. Their commitment to help any child with catastrophic disease, no matter their color, religion or financial situation has been a blessing for so many since 1962. St. Jude is the answer to so many prayers.

My hopes in sharing this with you, is not for any “pat on the back” or “gold star”. My hope is that I have encouraged you to make your own commitments. To start off 2014 on the right foot and make a difference in someone’s life. Just a small donation to an organization that has touched your life or has proven to be an advocate for those unable to stand alone, would be greatly appreciated.

November Donation – Night Ministry’s Adventure Club

November is National Homeless Youth Awareness Month. As stated on the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, “Each year more than 1.6 million children are homeless at some point in their lives, and that number is increasing.”

Having been raised by loving parents and being part of a supportive and caring family, I can not even begin to imagine the hardships these children go through. Not knowing where their next meal will come from or where they will sleep at night, are daily struggles for many young people in our city.

This month Sharon Gaietto Photography will be donating 10% of all sessions to the Night Ministry’s Adventure Club.

A little about the Night Ministry:

“The Night Ministry is a Chicago-based organization that works to provide housing, health care and human connection to members of our community struggling with poverty or homelessness. With an open heart and an open mind, we accept people as they are and work to address their immediate physical, emotional and social needs while affirming their sense of humanity.”

The Night Ministry’s Adventure Club takes young people out of their urban environment and their daily struggles and into nature, where they can be active and experience new activities.

As Jake Bradley, Youth Outreach Manager for The Night Ministry, has stated, “These young people are trying things that might be scary or new and then accomplishing them. It helps their confidence level, and helps them realize their own strength and resilience, and it’s a really beautiful thing. Adventure therapy gives the youth a small retreat from their everyday worries, where they can be in a safe place with safe people for a while.”

Our donation will help purchase adventure supplies such as backpacks, water bottles, or camping equipment. Thanks to everyone you has had November sessions or have scheduled session this month!