The idea for Angel Gowns came to Missy Ray, who wanted to help give back to the community. In September 2014, the organization received 501(c)(3) non-profit incorporation. Its mission is to make angel gowns available to grieving parents for their babies in the hospital. A recent Facebook post inspired her to send an email to the organization, who put her on the waiting list. Luckily, she received the angel gown she wanted.
An angel gown, which is a baby-friendly dress, can be an invaluable gift for bereaved parents. These gowns are often custom-made to fit a baby as small as 20 weeks of pregnancy. This type of gown can be worn by the mother and the child during the entire hospital stay. For bereaved parents, an angel gown is a comforting gift, a reminder of the baby’s existence.
Although pregnancy and infant death have long been taboo subjects, the organizations making these gowns are dedicated to helping families during the darkest days. In 2011, they started delivering an angel gown to a six-month-old baby girl who was in the NICU. The NICU is a place for babies with life-threatening medical conditions. The organizations also offer support services to bereaved families. Unfortunately, not all of these babies make it out.
Donating a wedding dress to the Angel Gowns program allows you to follow the progress of your donated gown as it is sewn. You can even virtually meet the seamstress and receive photos of your baby wearing the gown. In addition to donating your wedding dress, you can also “sponsor” a dress by paying $100. The Angel Gowns program will ship the gowns to the appropriate recipient. They will then mail the finished baby dress back to the family.
In addition to donating wedding gowns, Angel Gowns also accept donated formal wear and bridesmaid dresses. These are then transformed into beautiful infant burial gowns for grieving families. The company provides the donated gowns free of charge to hospitals, birthing centers, and funeral homes. This makes it possible for these charities to provide these special burial gowns to as many grieving families as possible. The organization is committed to changing the lives of grieving families and their babies.
For all the grieving families out there, it’s important to remember the angel kit. The kit includes the angel dress and the baby’s angel hat. These kits are especially important for parents who have lost a child. They should be given to the child’s parents so they can make the angel gowns as meaningful as possible. This is a gift that will last a lifetime and be treasured for generations to come. If you haven’t already received an angel kit, consider purchasing one today.