An Arkansan is turning the first floor of her home into a workshop and donating tiny angel gowns across the country to give families a moment to cherish. Colleen Angel, who also goes by the name Grandma Angel, started her little labor of love after her cousin lost a premature baby, Noah. After a bit of research, she found hospitals everywhere had a need.
The angel gowns are made from donated wedding dresses and they’re one-of-a-kind. Every bead, every piece of lace and every bit of fabric is used to create the special outfits for babies. She says it’s a lot of work, but it’s rewarding because every gown has a story to tell.
She’s been supplying the small burial gowns to hospitals in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene, but also in Oregon, California and Texas. She even sent some to a hospital in Africa.
Powell knows that many women aren’t aware that they can have an angel gown or angel wrap for their baby if they do lose their pregnancy or the baby passes at any point in their pregnancy. And she knows that it’s not easy to find the garments.
Some of the organizations that make these angel gowns are completely volunteer run. They need donors to donate the wedding dresses and sewing supplies like lace, pinking shears, ribbon, bobby pins, fabric scissors and sewing glue. Some groups even need donated men’s ties to make little bow ties for boys’ angel gowns or wraps. If you’re decluttering your closet, consider donating your old wedding dress and some sewing supplies! Find a group near you by visiting the website for Angel Gown Network Canada.