A host of mini superstars walked the red carpet at The Reach Gallery Museum Abbotsford on Sunday at the gala launch of Imagine, a book of local children's portraits that's raising money for Matthew's House, a future respite house in the community for children with severe disabilities.

The 80 kids who attended the launch are part of a group of 138 young celebrities, babies through to teens, who had their pictures included in Imagine.

It's the second edition of the photographic project by Jason and Darcie Brown of Revival Arts Studio in Abbotsford in honour of the memory of Matthew Froese, the severely disabled boy who inspired Matthew's House, now being realized as part of the Campus of Care project to be built next to the Abbotsford hospital.

"My cousin is Matthew's father," said Darcie.

"When they told us about their vision for a home where children with disabilities could get respite care, it was something we wanted to support."

The couple came up with the idea of a portrait book because they wanted to involve the larger community and find a way for their photography studio to give back too.

The couple has raised close to $10,000 for Matthew's House through the Imagine book series.

The session fees for the children's portraits go straight to Matthew's House and the book is sold within the community at cost.

The children involved in Imagine also love being part of the special project, especially the gala at The Reach, said Darcie.

"They all come as VIPs and get these little passes and come down the red carpet. They love it," she said.

At the event Matthew's mom, Andrea Froese, talked to the kids about her son, Matthew, who had cerebral palsy and sadly passed away suddenly in August, 2010 at the age of nine.

"She told them that when they see a child different from them that they can take their hand, ruffle their hair or just talk to them," said Darcie.

"Matthew loved other children. When we took photos of him with other kids his eyes just lit up."

Matthew's portrait is also included in the book. Following the presentation that included a slide show, a tour of the gallery and a photo shoot of the young stars holding their books, the event wrapped up.

"It was fairly fast-paced," said Darcie.

"Our VIPs, like most celebrities, have a pretty short attention span."

For more information on the Imagine project, visit imaginekids.ca. For more on Matthew's House, visit mattshouse.ca.

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