Angel Gowns Help Stillborn Babies

Many of the parents who are helped by NICU Helping Hands have experienced their own personal tragedies. Some had miscarriages; others lost their surviving preemies to complications of premature birth or were stillborn. The organization’s goal is to provide families of babies who are stillborn or die shortly after birth with a beautiful gown or angel wrap that can be used for final photographs and dressing the baby for burial.

The nonprofit has volunteers across the country, including at Dignity Health – St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach, California. This hospital provides high-quality, compassionate care for children and their families.

As a nurse at the hospital for 37 years, Gaber has seen too many families deal with loss of their little one. She says the grieving is overwhelming and that she wanted to do something to help. Gaber found her calling when she began making small dresses from donated wedding gowns, called angel gowns, that can be worn by infants that are stillborn or who die in their first few days of life.

These angel gowns are made by sewing together bits of fabric from a wedding dress or other formal gown, with or without a train, and adding accessories. The resulting tiny work of art is designed for boys and girls in sizes that fit the tiniest preemies up to full-term infants. They are often adorned with lace, embroidery, beads and pearls, and are meant to be a small tribute to the child.

Across the country, volunteer seamstresses make these little works of art for babies who will never leave their hospitals. Some have added special touches like a cap or bonnet, bow tie, or vest, or sewed phrases such as “heaven’s angel” or “love forever.” The same intricate detail that went into the original wedding dress is passed into the tiny angel gown.

In Florida, Sunshine State Angel Gowns operates out of an office in Altamonte Springs, but it reaches parents all over the state. Executive Director Michelle Cortes has personally visited hospitals such as Winnie Palmer, Florida Hospital and Tallahassee Memorial to ensure that a gown, blanket or wrap is available for every family in need.

Cortes and her team are able to provide these items free of charge for any family who requests them. She also works directly with other hospitals in the area, such as Sanford and CHI St. Alexius, to ensure that each family has the proper materials during their time of need.

Anyone can become a volunteer for the organization. The only requirement is a desire to provide comfort and support to grieving parents. Monetary donations are also accepted and go toward purchasing supplies, including the purchase of sewing machines for each seamstress. Gift cards are welcomed, too, at craft retailers such as Hobby Lobby and JOANN Fabric and Craft Stores. To learn more about how you can help, visit the organization’s website here.