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Donate Wedding Dresses to Charity

If you have a dress in good condition that you don’t plan to wear again, consider passing it on to another bride. Many nonprofit organizations accept wedding gowns for donation and sell them at greatly reduced prices, benefiting brides on a budget. Some charities even accept flower girl and bridesmaid dresses, as well as bridal accessories like veils. You may even be able to claim the donations on your taxes, though that’s become more difficult since new tax laws came into effect this year. Before you donate your dress, make sure it meets the charity’s criteria, advises Beth Chapman, founder of The White Dress by the Shore in Ann Arbor, Michigan. “Because some charities resell the dresses, they’ll want to make sure the dress isn’t more than five years old,” she says. Most places require a clean, unaltered gown with no visible stains or tears. Some also prefer a dress that hasn’t been altered in any way, especially if you don’t have the original tags. Other requirements vary from place to place. Some will only accept donated dresses if they’re less than two years old, while others have more strict requirements, such as the need for the dress to be in perfect condition. You should also check to see if you’ll need to have the dress professionally cleaned before shipping it off, she notes. Some charities use the proceeds from the sales of donated dresses to fund their own missions. For example, the organization Brides Across America passes on wedding dresses for free to military and first responder brides at twice-yearly Operation Wedding Gown events, and a charity called Adorned in Grace uses the sales of donated dresses and formalwear to help prevent human trafficking in various communities. The organization accepts both new and gently-used dresses, as well as bridal accessories. You may also be able to donate your dress to a local thrift store, which often accepts dresses along with other clothing items. Goodwill Industries, for example, offers a bridal collection at its stores nationwide and donates the proceeds from sales to its mission of helping people find jobs, support families and live independently, and provide housing and other necessities. The retailer’s online form will ask you for detailed information about the dress and any bridal accessories that may be with it, and you can drop off your donation at a store or ship it to its headquarters. Other thrift stores may specialize in a specific type of clothing or have their own special collections, such as dresses. For instance, the Washington, DC-based Charity Boutique, which has a section of its store dedicated to bridal gowns, accepts dresses and other wedding apparel as well as bridal accessories like veils. The retailer offers a 50% discount on the sale of all donated bridal attire. The boutique also supports charities such as the American Red Cross and Operation Homefront, among others. Similarly, Cherie Sustainable Bridal in Maryland, a bridal shop that accepts donated gowns, sells them in its store to benefit Success in Style, an organization that provides professional clothing and interview skills training for those in need.

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Angel Gowns For Babies

Across the United States, nearly one baby is born every minute that doesn’t get to go home with their parents. It’s a statistic that is often overlooked, but the women who volunteer their time to make angel gowns for these babies and their families are not. “We want to make them feel loved, cared for, and honored,” says Judi Mangiaracina, the founder of the national nonprofit program. Donated wedding dresses are transformed into one-of-a-kind burial gowns, or angel gowns, which are given to hospitals, birthing centers, and funeral homes for free. For women like Edith Sullivan, who donated her own wedding dress to the project in 2017, it’s a chance to give back. “When I lost my daughter, Grace, I was overwhelmed by the lack of support and resources,” she explains. “I wanted to do something to help.” After a career in health care that included labor and delivery nursing and executive roles, Mangiaracina retired, but she never left her sewing machine behind. Now, she and dozens of other seamstresses work to turn donated dresses into angel gowns for families that lose their baby during pregnancy or shortly after birth. The program has chapters and affiliates nationwide, supplying hospitals in cities as far away as Spokane and Coeur d’Alene. They add personal touches to each gown, stitching words like “heaven’s angel” and antique buttons saved from their own collections. They even sew little bells on the gowns, inspired by the end of the movie It’s a Wonderful Life, in which Jimmy Stewart’s character rings a bell to signal Clarence the angel had arrived. The gowns are delivered to grateful hospital staff, who in turn offer them to families as a token of their appreciation. They are cherished keepsakes, turning difficult times into more meaningful memories. “It’s so heartwarming to see families experiencing tears of joy and gratitude as they select the gown that they will take home,” says Mangiaracina, who recently received a letter from a mother in Long Beach whose daughter was sent to Riley after being born at 37 weeks. “This is what our mission is all about.” In addition to her work with the organization, she also volunteers as a hospice case manager and speaks at schools to raise awareness about the needs of stillborn babies. She aims to continue expanding the program, which is now a project without borders, so that no family will ever be left feeling alone or forgotten in their loss. Lisa Taylor is the placement coordinator for the nonprofit. She has a master’s in nonprofit management and has worked as a consultant in the field. Her passion for not-for-profits started during her years as a missionary in Bolivia and continues today, when she lives in Utah with her husband and six children. Dignity Health – St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach, California is dedicated to providing high quality, compassionate care and access to community members. For more information, visit their website.

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Planning a Child Funeral

A child funeral is an opportunity for families to say goodbye in a way that feels right. It can be a private ceremony where they are alone with the baby or child’s remains or a larger public event. This choice is based on what will feel most respectful for the family and what will help them cope with the grief. Whatever decision you make it is important to prepare your children in advance about what will happen. Using simple language and reassuring them that their sibling or loved one is going to be placed in a casket or urn it is possible to allay their anxieties. Depending on the situation some families also choose to bury or cremate other special items such as a blanket, teddy bear, a book or letters to their baby or child. It is also important to give your children the option of leaving if they become too upset. They need to be able to have some freedom to process the events of the day and this will also help them to manage their behaviour. You may want to designate a friend or relative who can take them outside or for a walk if they need a break. This should not be the child’s mother or father, but a person they know well who will be respectful of their feelings. If you decide to have a funeral service for your baby or child it is helpful to plan ahead to ensure that you have plenty of support from other adults who can watch over the children. This will help them to cope better and may also prevent other grieving relatives being made uncomfortable by your child’s difficult behaviour. It is also a good idea to have some snacks and drinks on hand for the children and a place that they can run around or sit if they get bored or rowdy. Children need to be able to cry and play and it is important that their needs are met. It is a big event for them to take in and they may need to move in and out of grief as they cope with the different elements of the ceremony. This is normal and just like when they were babies or toddlers they managed to cope with other large events such as their first day of school or starting nursery. As they grow older they will be able to learn how to manage big ceremonies and funerals more effectively. Eventually they will be able to go by themselves and make their own choices about whether to attend or not. As parents it will be important to trust their ability to behave in a respectful manner.

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Getting Ready For Your Baby’s Arrival

Getting ready for the arrival of a new baby can be overwhelming. But, if you have a good idea of what to expect in terms of size, color and style, shopping for the little one becomes much easier. It also helps if you have a rough idea of how much clothing you’ll need, which will help guide friends and family when showering you with gifts. With spills, spit up and blowouts a regular part of baby life, the clothes you choose should be durable and easy to clean. Look for breathable fabrics like cotton that can stand up to frequent washing without showing signs of wear or tearing, as well as features that make it easy to get your baby dressed and undressed (like snaps, hook-and-loop fasteners, and double zippers). If you’re looking for organic and eco-friendly options, check out the selection from brands like Kissy Kissy or Caden Lane. In terms of style, there are a wide variety of cute outfits to choose from. Some of the most popular styles include hoodies and one-pieces, which can be especially useful in warmer weather. You may also want to consider investing in a swaddle blanket, which helps newborns sleep better by mimicking the womb environment. Another thing to keep in mind when shopping for baby clothes is that they need to be comfortable for extended periods of time. You should avoid tight clothing that could restrict their movements, as well as anything that traps heat and causes them to overheat. Fortunately, many of the most practical and adorable baby clothes come in sets that are designed with this in mind. For example, the bestselling Kissy Kissy layette collection comes with matching tops and bottoms that coordinate for a simple outfit. The brand’s baby dresses and footie sleep suits also feature convenient front-and-inseam snap closures, which makes diapering a breeze. If you’re shopping for special occasions, there are plenty of dressy outfits to choose from as well. The polka-dot dresses from Miniclasix are the brand’s signature pieces, and they come in sizes to fit babies up to 18 months old. You can even find 2-in-1 dresses and rompers, which offer the one-and-done convenience of a dress with the easy dressing of a romper. Once you’ve settled on a few staples, you can expand your baby wardrobe with accessories that complement the outfit. For instance, hats are great for keeping the sun off your baby’s face, while mittens keep their hands warm and prevent them from scratching themselves. And, don’t forget to add a few outerwear items for colder temperatures, including snowsuits, raincoats, windbreakers and ponchos.

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Burial Gowns

When loved ones die, a common practice is to dress them in clothing that reflects their style and personality. Whether it is a favorite dress, a suit worn to special events or a pair of pajamas, these clothes help others remember the deceased in a way that feels comfortable and natural. In some cases, cultural and religious traditions require the use of specific garments or accessories that add a sense of meaning and respect. Choosing burial clothing that is clean and carefully pressed is also important so the body looks its best when it is buried. Burial gowns are specialized clothing for people who want to be buried in clothing that is elegant and refined but not adorned with jewelry or other personal items. These clothing items are typically made of soft fabrics like silk, cotton or satin and come in a variety of colors and styles. They can be designed specifically for men or women and resemble smart night gowns, pyjamas or dressing gowns. These gowns can be crafted for all body types and sizes and may feature religious or other themes for the funeral service. Some companies that manufacture burial apparel offer a range of women’s dresses, suits, negligees, robes and slips and men’s suit pants, dress shirts, pajamas, robes and panties. These garments are typically available wholesale to funeral directors and their clients. Some of these manufacturers include Rita Barber, Inc., Ethel Maid and Vera Lee Garments (Rita Barber, Inc., “History,” n.d.). Information on the fiber content of these garments is not readily available. The death of a premature infant can be particularly devastating for parents who are struggling to cope with such a loss. To help these families, local seamstresses are re-purposing formal wedding gowns to make burial garments for babies that have died prematurely. These delicate and beautiful clothing items are a comfort for the parents of these tiny lost children. When a baby is stillborn, hospitals often wrap the infant in a blanket because they do not have clothing small enough to fit the fragile newborns. When Indianapolis first-time mother, Faran Cheema’s daughter was stillborn at 27 weeks gestational age, she searched for something to bury her in and came across a website that referenced burial garments made from bridal dresses. She was inspired to start her own business repurposing wedding gowns for preemies. Now, she and a team of volunteers work to craft gowns for the smallest of tiny. They use dresses that would otherwise be discarded, including those from weddings and proms. Each dress can yield 12 to 20 burial garments. The gowns can be embroidered with the baby’s name and the birthdate and delivery date. They also feature the hospital’s logo and phone number. The organization also makes a matching cap for the infant. The heirloom-style clothing is available free of charge for families who have suffered the ultimate tragedy. The project has received national recognition and media attention.

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Donate Wedding Dresses

Many girls dream of growing up and getting married in a beautiful, storybook wedding. But often, after the guests are gone and the gifts are unwrapped, a once-special dress ends up sitting in a closet. Rather than letting it gather dust, consider donating your wedding dress to someone who might wear it again or use it for another special occasion. You may think that donating your dress is too expensive, but it can be a lot more affordable than buying a new one. And, in addition to being a good deed for others, donating your dress can also help you clear out your closet and make room for other things! Before donating your wedding dress, it’s important to research and select the right charity. There are a number of organizations that accept used wedding dresses. However, many of these charities have specific guidelines regarding gown condition, age, and style. Make sure you check out the organization’s website before making your donation, and familiarize yourself with their mission statement and goals. When you donate your dress, you’re giving a bride who may be struggling with financial hardship the chance to have her dream wedding. This could be a bride whose family is in the military or first responders, a bride whose home has been devastated by natural disasters, or a bride who just can’t afford to buy a brand-new gown. Another option is to donate your gown to a nonprofit bridal boutique. Many of these charities provide reduced-priced bridal gowns and accessories to underprivileged women in the local area. Some of them also offer internships for high school students interested in the fashion industry. You can also donate your wedding dress to a couple of charitable organisations that help terminally ill couples get married or renew their vows. These include Wishing Well Foundation and Gift of a Wedding. Finally, you can also donate your gown to a charity called Angel Gowns for Angel Babies. This organisation uses donated wedding gowns to create tiny infant burial gowns for babies who have died before or shortly after birth. The gowns are given to families directly, or they’re offered in hospitals and funeral homes. A single wedding gown can create up to 12 gowns for a grieving family. Donating your wedding dress is a great way to make your day more meaningful. It’s a great option for brides who want to clean out their closets, give back to others, and reduce their carbon footprint. In fact, production of new clothing and textiles requires hundreds of gallons of water and produces 10% of global carbon emissions. If you’re thinking about donating your wedding dress, it’s a great idea to have it professionally cleaned before the donation process. This will ensure that your gown is in good condition for its new owner and that no stains or marks are visible. Also, remember to keep all documents and receipts related to your donation in case you need them for tax purposes.

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Angel Gowns Honor Infant Losses

For the many babies who do not survive a pregnancy, birth or shortly afterward, a simple garment can give families a moment of dignity. The gowns, stitched together from old wedding dresses, are a gift from volunteer seamstresses who are dedicated to honoring the lives of infants lost before their time. Almost one in four women experience infant loss, including miscarriage or stillbirth, according to the nonprofit W.L.J. Angel Gowns. For many, the memory of a baby who did not make it through life is a very painful and traumatic experience. The organization, founded in 2008 in central Ohio, helps to ease some of the pain by making and distributing the angel gowns to hospitals. “We want to ensure that those who experience an infant loss, no matter what the cause, are provided with an angel wrap and a special gown,” said the group’s founder, Terry Bauer. Bauer’s own journey with angel gowns began after she saw an article in a Huffington Post blog about an organization in Texas that makes them for babies who die before, during or shortly after birth. The experience struck a chord with her, and she began sewing the tiny outfits in memory of her daughter who died at 18 weeks gestation. She started with just a few gowns and has now made more than 50 for the local community. Her work has also included designing a pattern for sleep sacks and overalls, which some families might prefer as an alternative to a gown. The group she leads, Touching Little Lives, now includes a dozen volunteers and distributes the outfits throughout central Ohio. Volunteers from around the country have taken up the cause. Many have their own personal connection to the cause and say it is a way to pay tribute to their own children or young family members who died before, during or soon after birth. A former paramedic and coroner investigator for Scott and Dakota counties, Patty Hauer grew tired of seeing infants wrapped in old ratty blankets at hospitals or at the medical examiner’s office after an autopsy. She began her own group, Angel Dresses, in Minnesota three years ago. The group meets in the basement of All Saints Lutheran Church in Darwin and transforms donated wedding dresses and prom dresses into final outfits for infants who die at birth or shortly after. The outfits include a small gown, a knitted hat and blanket, a keepsake charm and cross or heart, and an infant burial wrap. The group sends the outfits free to families who need them, and it recently partnered with a hospital in Minneapolis to reach even more families. In addition to making gowns, the volunteers sew baby bonnets and sleeping bags from fabric scraps. The volunteer seamstresses also embroider phrases like “heaven’s angel” onto the garments and stitch antique buttons from their own collection. Several of the seamstresses who create the angel gowns have also experienced their own tragedy. They all hope that their work will comfort grieving parents, and give them a sense of peace in the dark days after an unexpected loss.

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Planning a Child Funeral

When a child passes away, parents need to make many decisions to help their family grieve and find closure. One of the first steps is choosing a funeral ceremony. This could be religious, traditional, outdoors, or even a memorial service. Many parents say that planning the funeral helps them manage grief and loneliness. Then, they can move on to doing something meaningful in their child’s memory. It is important to talk to your children about the funeral and prepare them for what will happen. This will give them a better understanding and reduce their anxiety. For example, you might explain that people who are mourning will be quiet and sit still for long stretches of time. It is also good to tell them that a special section of seats may be reserved for immediate family or that they might need to wear dressier clothes for the services. You can also explain that they will see a variety of emotions during the services, including crying and laughing. This will allow them to feel more comfortable if they choose to laugh and cry during the funeral services too. During the visitation or ceremony, you might want to ask a close friend to watch over your children. This will allow you to focus on the ceremony and will give your children someone to talk to if they become overwhelmed or restless. This person can also reassure them that it is normal to be sad and that the sadness will pass. If your child is going to be at the funeral they should understand that there will be a lot of people and they might have to wait for a long time to go into the casket. They might also need to stand for a long period of time. If you are worried that your child may be overwhelmed, you can prepare a bag with activities, books, or a small toy that they can use to keep themselves occupied. You might also consider bringing some snacks and drinks for your child to eat and drink during the funeral services. This will keep them from feeling hungry or thirsty and will allow them to stay focused on the ceremony. Many families personalize the funerals of their children by dressing them in their favourite outfits or burying them in items that represent their personality. This is a way for the deceased’s loved ones and their friends to remember them and connect with them. Some examples include a Moses basket, cradle or bassinet for an infant; a doll bed or bassinet for a toddler; and a crib or wagon padded with blankets for a child or teenager. If you are planning a child funeral, we recommend that you speak to your local funeral director. They can answer all your questions, provide you with guidance and help you to plan the most fitting funeral ceremony for your child. They can also tell you about any costs associated with the funeral and what assistance might be available to you.

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What You Need to Know About Baby Clothing

Buying clothes for a baby is exciting and fun, but it can be confusing too. Knowing some basic terms helps you understand what’s available and how it’s designed. You’ll also have a better idea of the kind of sizes to look for in each brand. Size discrepancies between brands are common and sometimes frustrating. The key to minimizing them is to shop in person and learn which brands fit your baby well, so you can move up to the next size as they grow. Body clothes are the foundation of any newborn wardrobe. These include rompers, sleepers and gowns. Rompers are one-piece suits that cover the top and bottom of the body for easy dressing and undressing. They’re great for going out, as they are more stylish than a plain T-shirt and pants. Sleepers are similar to rompers, but they have feet attached. These are ideal for bedtime and playtime, as they allow for easy diaper access. Gowns are long, loose garments that open at the front for easy dressing and have snap or button closures. Other clothing options include a winter jacket or zip-up down snowsuit and a warm hat. A raincoat, which is designed to protect against very wet weather, is also important. These outfits are especially essential if you live in a rainy or snowy climate. Parents-approved brands for newborns include Little Me, which offers sweet essentials made from soft 100 percent cotton, including neutral bodysuits with lap shoulders and footie pajamas that boast easy snap fasteners from head to toe. The brand’s GOTS and OEKO-TEX certifications help ensure that the entire manufacturing process, from harvesting to finishing fibers, is organic and free of harmful chemicals. Another great option is the coveted Kissy Kissy collection, which uses the most luxurious Peruvian Pima cotton. These outfits are sure to be loved by new parents and come in coordinating sets for an easier laundry day. The brand’s preemie collection is small but mighty (just like your little bundle of joy), with gowns and hats that snap up the front and in-seam for quick diaper changes and preemie sleeper gowns with peek-a-paw cuffs to prevent self-scratching during sleep. Target-owned Cat & Jack will outfit your child from newborn to 5T with cute, comfortable pieces. Its tees feature graphic prints that your baby will love, from dinosaurs and unicorns to trucks and flowers, while its leggings are super soft and come in a range of colors and patterns to match the shirts. You can buy them individually or in a handy three-pack to save time and money. You can also find other cute outfits and accessories, like hats and socks, for a complete wardrobe at a wallet-friendly price. For even more savings, consider shopping during sales and stocking up on items your baby won’t outgrow so quickly. Then, you can resell them for cash on sites like Poshmark or ThredUP, or hand them down to siblings when they’re outgrown. This is a great way to minimize the amount of disposable clothes your family throws away.

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Burial Gowns and Wraps

Choosing clothing for burial is often a deeply personal choice. Some families choose to use the deceased’s own clothes, and some prefer the traditional options offered by funeral homes. The most important consideration is ensuring that the outfit matches the person’s culture, religious beliefs, and personal style. A well-fitted suit, dress shirt, and tie are classic choices for men. For women, a simple black dress is an elegant option that conveys solemnity and dignity. Burial garments can also be made of natural fibers such as calico, which are suitable for green burials. They are sometimes designed with false shirt fronts and other embellishments to resemble day wear or evening clothing. These garments are particularly common in Europe, where they’re used with cremation. Many of these garments are available for rent from funeral home providers. They can also be bought at retail stores and online. In addition to gowns and wraps, funeral home providers also carry a variety of accessories to help you customize the look, including hats, shoes, and jewelry. Although it is not necessary, some people prefer to dress their loved ones for their casket viewings and wakes. When the deceased is dressed in a personalized attire, it can help family and friends grieve together. Some of these outfits can even serve as a way to honor the deceased’s unique personality and interests. If you are interested in creating a unique outfit for your loved one, it is best to consult with your funeral director for guidance. It is also important to consider the deceased’s cultural background and religious beliefs. For example, some faith traditions have specific guidelines for burial apparel, and some fabrics are not appropriate for embalming. In order to fill the need for burial garments, a local sewing group has been formed. The group has been able to grow quickly because of the generosity of local residents who donate wedding dresses for the project. A recent donation of clear acrylic from Plaskolite makes it possible to create consistent master patterns that ensure each gown is a perfect fit. The group has also created a pattern for a baby wrap that is specially designed for infants up to two pounds in weight. This is a much-needed garment that will aide in the comfort of these tiny angels, and it will also protect them from the cold. Many of the gowns, wraps, and accessories that are made by the sewing group are available on Etsy. You can also find a variety of patterns for creating burial outfits, from lace toddler christening gowns to crocheted preemie blankets. The pattern for the baby wrap is free, while a burial gown and bonnet can be purchased from Warm Hearts Warm Babies, which offers a variety of embroidered newborn, infant, and preemie baby garments. The company has plans to expand its offerings in the future. It hopes to increase the number of garments in its inventory and offer additional options that will make it easier for families to find what they need.