Almost every minute in the USA, there is a baby born through still birth or miscarriage. For families that are going through this heartbreaking experience, having a beautiful burial gown can make it easier to say goodbye. That is why the volunteers of Angel Gowns of WNY make these one-of-a-kind gowns for newborn babies that will never leave their mothers’ arms.
These loving seamstresses take wedding dresses that would never see the light of day on a bride, and turn them into tiny angel gowns. Each one is hand-sewn and made with love. They can get up to 18 unique tiny angel gowns and wraps out of a single wedding dress. These kits are then donated to local hospitals, bereavement groups and funeral homes so that families can have a beautiful memory of their precious little angel.
Angel Gowns of WNY was started in April 2014 by Missy Ray. Her vision was to form a non-profit organization that gives back to her community. In September, 2014, they received their 501-(c) (3) non-profit incorporation.
The first dress to be turned into an angel gown was donated by a woman who had lost her own daughter. She knew the significance of having a beautiful burial outfit for her baby, and wanted to help other grieving parents who needed it.
Since then, she has had the support of many others who want to do the same thing. Mangiaracina says that she has received donations of wedding dresses from all over the country. She now has more than 60 angel gowns on her sewing machine at any given time. She supplies them to hospitals in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene, as well as to hospitals across the country, including Oregon, Washington, Texas, and four other states.
For more information about how you can donate a wedding dress to this wonderful project, please visit their website. They also need sewing supplies like pinking shears, fabric scissors, thread, bobby pins, ribbon and lace. They even accept men’s ties, which they use to make tiny angel bow ties for the little boys who receive these gowns.
In addition to helping our tiniest patients, PVHMC is proud to partner with this group of dedicated volunteers and their work to provide comfort and beauty for these grieving families. They are a true blessing.
Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center is a comprehensive healthcare system providing a high standard of care for newborns and infants, as well as women, men, children, adolescents and seniors in the communities it serves.
PVHMC’s state-of-the-art Level III NICU has 53 beds and is equipped to treat sick or premature infants from surrounding communities.
Its team of physicians and nurses is committed to delivering the best possible outcomes for our babies and their families. They offer compassionate care, a warm and healing environment and access to cutting edge therapies and innovative services.