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Photo Gallery: Grand Opening
September 5, 2009
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This was a very special day for many people who have been extensively involved in the building of Ciudad de los Niños - The City of Children. Approximately 250 people from Mexico and the United States joined together for a celebration of the opening of the orphanage. Our first nine children had the opportunity to share their new home with many people including educators, business persons, numerous people from the Matamoros community, the United States, a Pro-Football Hall-of-Famer, local supporters and press, US press and a CBS film crew. The Bishop of Matamoros, Faustino Armendáriz Jiménez and the mayor of Matamoros, Mexico were also in attendance to offer their support. Six buildings were named after people who contributed a significant amount of their time, resources, and personal support to the project including Damon Nolan, Arturo Garza Uribe, Ramiro Gonzalez Garza, Rosa Posada-Robledo, Kellie & Marilyn Dean, and Mr. Frank Hickey. Father Phil Cleary, President/CEO of Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos, NPH International, Sharon Saxelby, President and CEO of Friends of the Orphans, John & Cindy Shinsky, Co-Founders of Ciudad de los Niños joined together to celebrate their new partnership which is designed to use the resources from each entity for the betterment of abandoned and neglected children. The NPH Mexico estudiantina played and afterwards an inviting lunch of seafood paella was served. John Shinsky concluded the program by giving the children a special picture of himself when he was an orphan with the following special message, "Ciudad de los Niños is very special home to me because it represents the support and love I received as an orphan, which I will never forget. I would like to give you one of my most cherished belongings that I ask you to hang in a special place in Ciudad de los Niños, and that the love and support you receive in this home will allow you to reach your highest goals and share your gifts with other pequeños in the future. May God continue to bless you as you start a new life in your new home." This ended what many people considered one of the most special days of our lives, and the beginning of a new life for nine special children.
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Bishop and Team Blessing the Buildings
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Mayor, Mayor's Wife, Father Phil Cleary
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Father Phil Blessing of Buildings
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Father Phil Cleary with Children
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Damon & Mrs. Nolan Cutting Ribbon to Their Home
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Kellie & Marilyn Dean Cutting Ribbon Boys Dorm
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Mr. Arturo Uribe Addresses Group
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Junaita Showing Her New Bed
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Joe DeLamielleure Recognized by John & Cindy Shinsky
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Kellie Dean & Eljay Bowron Great Supporters
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Jim Nelson a Great Supporter
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Grand Opening Cake
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John & Cindy Shinsky Hugging Children
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John Shinsky's Gift to Children As a Former Orphan
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Snady Free, Sharon Saxelby and Happy Children
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Grand Opening Group Picture
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