Minutes of Gold volunteers have been making
infant bereavement
garments for fetal
demise and donating these items to hospitals since 1992.
The nurses have the challenge of presenting these tiny babies
to their grieving families. Without the gifts that the volunteers
provide, there would be nothing suitable, available for this
purpose. The layettes consist of a gown, hat, diaper, blanket
and crocheted roses that match, and a gift poem card. that reads:
Please
accept this layette,
And know that we care
For into each stitch,
We’ve tucked in a prayer
That God will be with you,
for He sent us to you,
to dress His new angel
In something special and new |
| poem
by: Sonja Liles, Florence, Oregon |
Nearly everyone can empathize when a child dies, but not everyone
understands the impact of early
pregnancy loss on expectant parents. When a child dies,
there is usually a strong support system in place. Friends of
the child and parents, family members, teachers and neighbors
unite to support the child and family. With an early pregnancy
loss, such support systems may not exist. Family and friends
may not relate to the loss as a death. Intentionally or unintentionally,
they may communicate their desire that the parents hide what
happened rather than to share their experience. The strength
and support that a community can provide to these parents is
thus diminished, not by indifference but by ignorance. This
lack of understanding is why the Minutes of Gold volunteers
strive to help dignify the loss of the tiny family member with
appropriate and caring support. Grieving parents have only Minutes
to spend with their baby.
There are currently two groups of volunteers working to supply
as many hospitals as possible. One in Salome.
Arizona at Desert
Palms RV Resort and one in Florence. Oregon at Florentine
Estates. These two groups have so far been able to furnish
layettes to all hospitals and individuals that have requested
their gifts. Many caring people have donated handmade crocheted
or knitted blankets to be included and monetary gifts have been
received to help with the shipping costs. The project is totally
funded by private donations. Minutes of Gold is a Tax Exempt
Public Charity, 501
C-3 Corporation. If you would like to help with financial
needs, you may contact Carol
Slaugh founder and coordinator. Checks may be payable to
Minutes of Gold and sent to 406 Sherwood Loop, Florence, Oregon.
Click on Treasures of the Heart
for comments from many of the nurses in some of the hospitals
that we serve. There is never a fee for our gifts.
|
|
