Riding the life of love (Multimedia)

Riding the Love of Life

Werner Schreiber and Heather Reimer, the mural artists who created the colorful mural for Realities For Children, first discovered the organization while participating in the largest poker run in America.

The event, which takes place every Memorial Day weekend, raises funds for Realities For Children and other local charities. After learning about the important work that Realities For Children does, the artists were inspired to use their talents to give back to the organization.

Their donation of the vibrant mural not only raises awareness for the organization but also serves as a reminder of the positive impact that events like the poker run can have on the community. By taking part in the poker run and using their art to give back, Schreiber and Reimer are making a difference in the lives of children in need.

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Husband and wife, Werner Schreiber and Heather Reimer next to the finish mural near the Mason Street Parking Lot in Fort Collins, Colorado Nov. 2, 2022. “I wanted to put in two motorcycles- one in the distance, the children being really happy then the Owl Canyon where all the motorcycles met…it will ring a bell to a lot of people,” Schreiber said. “Realities is not only involved with motorcycles, they do many little events here and there like the tree lighting, and that is what I wanted to represent.” Reimer added, “Even if people don’t have a bike, if they are sponsors or they get help from realities, then they can associate with that mural.” Due to their contribution of art throughout community, various locals recognized their loving personalities whenever they set foot because the walls would become not only colorful, but soulful as well. Husband and wife, Werner Schreiber and Heather Reimer next to the finish mural near the Mason Street Parking Lot in Fort Collins, Colorado Nov. 2, 2022. “I wanted to put in two motorcycles- one in the distance, the children being really happy then the Owl Canyon where all the motorcycles met…it will ring a bell to a lot of people,” Schreiber said. “Realities is not only involved with motorcycles, they do many little events here and there like the tree lighting, and that is what I wanted to represent.” Reimer added, “Even if people don’t have a bike, if they are sponsors or they get help from realities, then they can associate with that mural.” Due to their contribution of art throughout community, various locals recognized their loving personalities whenever they set foot because the walls would become not only colorful, but soulful as well.

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Werner Schreiber reaches for the top with a high extension air brush to fill in the clouds of a donation mural for Realities For Children near the Mason Street Parking Lot in Fort Collins, Colorado Nov. 2, 2022. "While painting, it is just visions that come up — I sketch out a little something on the spot and air brush the walls. ... (The mural) took 16 hours to complete, but I also go back to fill in extra details later,” Schreiber said. Werner Schreiber reaches for the top with a high extension air brush to fill in the clouds of a donation mural for Realities For Children near the Mason Street Parking Lot in Fort Collins, Colorado Nov. 2, 2022. "While painting, it is just visions that come up — I sketch out a little something on the spot and air brush the walls. ... (The mural) took 16 hours to complete, but I also go back to fill in extra details later,” Schreiber said.

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Werner Schreiber in his natural way of excitement as he describes the meaning of the mural near the Mason Street Parking Lot in Fort Collins, Colorado Nov. 2, 2022. He was born in Songpa, Germany and came to the United States of America in 1974. Schreiber worked with a world renown sculptor and artist, George Carlson, which added to his artistic personality that is spotted all over Old Town through murals in different alleyways and pianos. “The first mural was in my hometown in Germany, we had a youth center and I had this crazy wild idea to paint this big mural on the wall,” Schreiber said. “It was mural of Asterix and Obelix…Italian cartoon characters that got a really big hit, people just loved it,” Schreiber said. Werner Schreiber in his natural way of excitement as he describes the meaning of the mural near the Mason Street Parking Lot in Fort Collins, Colorado Nov. 2, 2022. He was born in Songpa, Germany and came to the United States of America in 1974. Schreiber worked with a world renown sculptor and artist, George Carlson, which added to his artistic personality that is spotted all over Old Town through murals in different alleyways and pianos. “The first mural was in my hometown in Germany, we had a youth center and I had this crazy wild idea to paint this big mural on the wall,” Schreiber said. “It was mural of Asterix and Obelix…Italian cartoon characters that got a really big hit, people just loved it,” Schreiber said.

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Heather Reimer, showcase her Harley-Davidson Evolutions next to a mural painted near the Mason Street Parking Lot in Fort Collins, Colorado Nov. 2, 2022. “He did the big layout, what goes where and the perspective like the hills in the back, I did stuff on the kids and a bunch of the lettering,” Reimer said. Heather Reimer, showcase her Harley-Davidson Evolutions next to a mural painted near the Mason Street Parking Lot in Fort Collins, Colorado Nov. 2, 2022. “He did the big layout, what goes where and the perspective like the hills in the back, I did stuff on the kids and a bunch of the lettering,” Reimer said.

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Husband and wife Werner Schreiber and Heather Reimer showcase their Harley-Davidson Evolutions next to a mural they painted near the Mason Street Parking Lot in Fort Collins, Colorado Nov. 2, 2022. Based on their love for riding motorcycles, it was critical when they were able to witness the Harley community come together from different states to unify the protection of the youth’s childhood and be able to create a dynamic that unifies families. Husband and wife Werner Schreiber and Heather Reimer showcase their Harley-Davidson Evolutions next to a mural they painted near the Mason Street Parking Lot in Fort Collins, Colorado Nov. 2, 2022. Based on their love for riding motorcycles, it was critical when they were able to witness the Harley community come together from different states to unify the protection of the youth’s childhood and be able to create a dynamic that unifies families.

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Werner Schreiber paints a mural as a donation towards the care of children in danger of abuse, neglect and abandonment near the Mason Street Parking Lot of Fort Collins, Colorado Nov. 2, 2022. Schreiber and his wife, Heather Reimer’s first encounter with Realities For Children was through the world’s largest poker run, the 21st Annual Realities Ride & Rally. After their participation of the event, they were inspired to express artistically how they felt about the non-profit organization’s mission to protect children. "When I saw the impact these bikers are making, riding to the Budweiser (Events) Center, I know that these bikers really care for the kids of the community," Schreiber said. Their simplistic way of living has led them to be an example for the existence of kindness to whoever discovers their creativity to spread an act of love from art with heart. Werner Schreiber paints a mural as a donation towards the care of children in danger of abuse, neglect and abandonment near the Mason Street Parking Lot of Fort Collins, Colorado Nov. 2, 2022. Schreiber and his wife, Heather Reimer’s first encounter with Realities For Children was through the world’s largest poker run, the 21st Annual Realities Ride & Rally. After their participation of the event, they were inspired to express artistically how they felt about the non-profit organization’s mission to protect children. "When I saw the impact these bikers are making, riding to the Budweiser (Events) Center, I know that these bikers really care for the kids of the community," Schreiber said. Their simplistic way of living has led them to be an example for the existence of kindness to whoever discovers their creativity to spread an act of love from art with heart.

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Shelly Carroll, membership director of Realities For Children, sorts through toys, blankets and gift bags for kids during back to school season in the warehouse at Realities For Children building in Fort Collins, Colorado Dec. 2, 2022 . Her love for kids has been shown through dedication served toward connecting local businesses in the past seven years with the organization. For these operations to exist, an immense group of volunteers dedicate themselves in preparing materials and spending time to deliver those services to families in need throughout the year. “Our people have heart, we have a really giving community that loves our kids,” Caroll said. Realities For Children, a non-profit fundraising organization holds a multitude of programs to fund the children for the incoming year. Events like the Annual NightLights, Ride & Rally and Realities Cup supplement as a path to gain support for their objectives in order to provide significant resources to help parents and children have service to rely on. Shelly Carroll, membership director of Realities For Children, sorts through toys, blankets and gift bags for kids during back to school season in the warehouse at Realities For Children building in Fort Collins, Colorado Dec. 2, 2022 . Her love for kids has been shown through dedication served toward connecting local businesses in the past seven years with the organization. For these operations to exist, an immense group of volunteers dedicate themselves in preparing materials and spending time to deliver those services to families in need throughout the year. “Our people have heart, we have a really giving community that loves our kids,” Caroll said. Realities For Children, a non-profit fundraising organization holds a multitude of programs to fund the children for the incoming year. Events like the Annual NightLights, Ride & Rally and Realities Cup supplement as a path to gain support for their objectives in order to provide significant resources to help parents and children have service to rely on.

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Carolers of The Academy by Divabee performs during the 25th Annual NightLights event at the First Presbyterian Church in Fort Collins, Colorado Dec. 1, 2022. Hosted by Realities For Children, it featured local entertainers to do traditional sing alongs with the lighting of the 50’ blue NightLights tree. Carolers of The Academy by Divabee performs during the 25th Annual NightLights event at the First Presbyterian Church in Fort Collins, Colorado Dec. 1, 2022. Hosted by Realities For Children, it featured local entertainers to do traditional sing alongs with the lighting of the 50’ blue NightLights tree.

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Realities For Children leaders alongside Dude Dad and Santa presents the 30 pounds chocolate Santa to the winner from the lotto drawing during the 25th Annual NightLights event at the First Presbyterian Church in Fort Collins, Colorado Dec. 1, 2022. The lotto drawing worked as a fundraising campaign to raise $300,000 for the emergency and ongoing support needs of the children in 2023 the organization served. Realities For Children leaders alongside Dude Dad and Santa presents the 30 pounds chocolate Santa to the winner from the lotto drawing during the 25th Annual NightLights event at the First Presbyterian Church in Fort Collins, Colorado Dec. 1, 2022. The lotto drawing worked as a fundraising campaign to raise $300,000 for the emergency and ongoing support needs of the children in 2023 the organization served.

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Audience members listen to speeches that explain the experience

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The crowd looks towards the stage for a group photo during the 25th Annual NightLights event at the First Presbyterian Church in Fort Collins, Colorado Dec. 1, 2022. There was an approximate of 300 attendees along with a multitude of local business coming out in support of the fundraiser. The crowd looks towards the stage for a group photo during the 25th Annual NightLights event at the First Presbyterian Church in Fort Collins, Colorado Dec. 1, 2022. There was an approximate of 300 attendees along with a multitude of local business coming out in support of the fundraiser.

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David Castaneda, seven-year-old, holds three glow sticks together to cheer on the singers and guitarist during the 25th Annual NightLights event at the First Presbyterian Church in Fort Collins, Colorado Dec. 1, 2022. David Castaneda, seven-year-old, holds three glow sticks together to cheer on the singers and guitarist during the 25th Annual NightLights event at the First Presbyterian Church in Fort Collins, Colorado Dec. 1, 2022.

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Families look toward the tree lights as it displays various range of colors during the 25th Annual NightLights event at the First Presbyterian Church in Fort Collins, Colorado Dec. 1, 2022. Families look toward the tree lights as it displays various range of colors during the 25th Annual NightLights event at the First Presbyterian Church in Fort Collins, Colorado Dec. 1, 2022.

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