WUSA9 is asking the public to donate their wedding dresses, time or money to Forever Angels of Virginia.
The group takes donated wedding dresses and turns them into burial baby gowns for infants who die in hospital NICU units.
The organization says, " Forever Angels of Virginia is dedicated to providing comfort to individuals and families in a time of grieving the loss of infant(s) due to miscarriage, stillbirth or death. Brides generously donate wedding gowns and volunteer seamstresses hand craft and design into beautiful angelic gowns to fit the infants. The gowns may be used for those precious moments after birth, keepsakes, or for even use during the burial process. Our program provides these precious gowns free of charge to individuals, families and hospitals. This gift of love celebrates life, even if brief, and provides special moments for the family as they hold their baby adorned with an angelic gown , given from the heart of a bride."
Note: All wedding dresses must be professionally cleaned before donation.
PHOTOS: Burial Infant Gowns from Wedding dresses
So far 1,400 baby gowns have been created by Forever Angels of Virginia.
- Baby gowns provided to 58+ hospitals
- 15 seamstresses volunteer many hours to make the baby gowns
- Each wedding dress can make dozens of baby gowns
Forever Angels of Virginia runs on a volunteer basis.
If you cannot donate a dress, you can donate your time and skill. They're looking for more seamstresses who are interested in making baby gowns.
Click this link, if you're interested in becoming a seamstress for the group.
Each seamstress devotes time and financial resources to completing the gowns. Ribbons, lace, thread and needles are all purchased by the volunteer seamstresses.
If you're interested in donating to the group, contact them on their website or you can email Kim Violette, who is the President and Founder of Forever Angels of Virginia, at kimviolette@gmail.com.
They are a 501C3 organization so the donation would be tax deductible.
