An Angel on My Doorstep

Thank you to all of you who braved the weather to come out and light candles in memory of our lost little ones.

For those of you who lit candles at home or on the road, know that we were thinking of you intensely as we shared memories, music, warm cider and homemade donuts.

A HUGE thank you to Paul Ippolito for providing the music, Eris Proctor for documenting the event with photos, Mendon Mountian Orchard & Motel for the warm cider, Linda Johnson for homemade donuts, and all the other volunteers who made this possible.

We are already looking forward to next year when we continue to fill the wish board, reach even more families with our offer of support, and hope that winter temps hold off just a little longer so our Friday night ceremony will not require wool hats and gloves.

As soon as I receive the photos, I will update the website.

Next support meeting date: Wednesday, November 11th, 7pm at the Whiting Library in Chester Vermont.

Followed, closely by our first big family fundraising event: Bowling for Babies on Sunday, November 15th at Springfield Bowl in the plaza.

Last night I mentioned that many great items for the Chinese Raffle were already arriving and that November 1st, their photos would be available here for preview. I've also said before that the raffle tickets will be available to our online readers with items requiring shipping costs being noted.

What I didn't mention were some of the 'big' sponsors I had approached. I thought it better not to get my hopes up. Some I heard back from and was pleasantly surprised. Others, I didn't. And yet more sent beautifully written, "great cause but we can't help you out" letters.

When I got home this afteroon there was a box waiting on my front stoop. I didn't dare to hope - and then I saw the image on the side

and I allowed myself to pray that the one I requested was actually inside that box.

It was. And I'm still not quite able to contain my excitment so I must share it with you a tad bit early.

Without any further ado, this amazing angel bear will be part of our raffle. I hope whoever wins it will find some comfort in it. Click on the image to see a bigger, clearer visual.

See, sometimes angels do hang out on my porch. I never had any doubts.

Share Southern Vermont Joins In The Wave of Light on National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day

In October 1988, President Ronald Reagan Proclaimed October as National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, "…When a child loses his parent, they are called an orphan. When a spouse loses her partner, they are called a widow or widower. When parents lose their child, there isn't a word to describe them. This month recognizes the loss so many parents experience across the United States and around the world. It is also meant to inform and provide resources for parents who have lost children due to miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, stillbirths, birth defects, SIDS, and other causes."

Share Southern Vermont, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support invite you to join them as they participate in the National Wave of Light Ceremony on Thursday, October 15th. They will gather on the Chester Green to share each other’s memories while the candles burn from 7 to 8pm, joining those of other groups world wide. The flames will create a continuous wave of light in memory of all our angel babies. SSV believes that every life, even the tiniest and shortest lived deserves to be acknowledged and remembered. Cara Tyrrell, founding director of SSV states, “The parents of these children never forget. This evening is a gift we can give them, a way to show that their babies are loved and remembered all across the globe.”

As the dates fall, SSV’s monthly support group meeting gathers the previous evening, Wednesday, October 14th at 7pm in the Community Room of the Whiting Library in Chester. If you have lost a baby, regardless of how many years have passed, you are always welcome to join the group.

For more information about the origination of this event please visit http://www.october15th.com/. Candles will be provided. Please plan to arrive by 6:30 to park behind the historical society or at Cobleigh field. Please do not park along Rt. 11. You can access Chester's town map by clicking HERE.

If you would like to read a poem, journal entry, letter to your baby, or sing please contact Cara.

Calling All Craftsmen and Craftswomen!

HITTING THE LOCAL PAPERS NEXT WEEK, BUT IF YOU ARE LED TO HELP WITH EITHER NEED, ESPECIALLY THE ANGEL ORNAMENTS WHICH ARE SMALL AND SHIP WELL - PLEASE CONTACT ME!

For Immediate Release: “Non-Profit Seeking Volunteer Wookworkers”

Are you a woodworker? Do you like to spend time in your shop? Have you ever experienced the loss of a baby or been connected to a family who has? Have you always wanted to know how to help?

Share Southern Vermont, Inc. is a 501 c 3, not-for-profit chapter of Share National which has been serving bereaved families and caregivers worldwide for over 30 years. At Share, bereaved parents find comfort in friendship, strength in shared experiences and hope for healing and happiness. Share’s mission is to serve these families as sadly, 1 out of 4 babies die due to pregnancy loss, stillbirth, or infant death in the first few months of life. Our organization is fully supported by donations.

In addition to monthly support group meetings, annual memory walks, candle lighting ceremonies, angel ornament drives, and the upcoming fundraiser: bowling for babies; Share Southern Vermont also provides families with hardwood, handmade memory boxes. Parents take some comfort in knowing they have a tangible item to keep all their baby’s precious items in. Last winter Jeremiah Tyrrell, father of Emma Grace Tyrrell born still on September 8th, 2000 and owner of Tyrrell’s Angels Construction made twenty boxes. “We anticipated them lasting throughout the year”, says Cara, Tyrrell’s wife and founding director of Share Southern Vermont, “the sad news is we aren’t going to make it. We are down to our last four boxes and it is only August.”

The frequency of loss in the Southern Vermont communities has surprised even Tyrrell. “We tell every family, ‘We are so sad you are here ~ We are so glad you came’ and I find myself saying it more and more lately. I really didn’t expect our support group to growing this quickly.” Every time a baby dies another family’s life is forever altered.

Families are always invited to attend monthly support meetings on the second Wednesday of each month at 7pm in the Community Room of the Whiting Library in Chester, Vermont. But even if they aren’t ready to sit with us it is essential each suffering family receives the same support, including receiving a memory box, to set the foundation for healthy grieving.

If you feel led to donate materials please view the wish list on their website: http://www.sharesouthernvermont.blogspot.com/.

If you are willing to make some boxes please visit the above website to view the 2010 memory box, then contact Cara at 802-226-7231 or at sharesouthernvermont@gmail.com.

All donations, both materials and time, are tax deductible. “Thank you” says Tyrrell, “to all who make the time. Because you give, we Share.”



For Immediate Release: “Non-Profit Seeking Volunteer Crafters”

Are you good with your hands? Do you know how to crochet? Looking to donate items for a great cause? On bedrest?

Consider making some angel ornaments for Share Southern Vermont's first annual holiday drive. They are anticipating needing large numbers and would gratefully accept any help you are willing to give.

If you are interested please email Cara for the pattern and additional details.

Two Is Better Than One!

In planning for Bowling For Babies we ran into a scheduling snag. So, we have decided to do two events!

Bowling For Babies has been moved to November - date to be announced, when the weather gets yucky and we all want to be warm and inside! Details will follow.

Our National Wave of Light Ceremony remains on Thursday October 15th. Please click the burning flame for the history of the ceremony.

We will gather at the Chester Green in Chester, Vermont at 6:30pm.

Candles will be provided.

Please feel free to bring a picture, or other tangible item that represents your baby. There will be an opportunity to say something to your child as you light your candle. Participation is optional.

Our candles will remain lit from 7pm to 8pm.

Rememberance memorabilia will be available to purchase. As always, donations are gratefully accepted on the sidebar or by sending a check made out to Share Southern Vermont (SSV) to PO Box 22, Proctorsville Vermont 05153.

Babies are still dying. Parents are still suffering. We must support them in their time of need. We must remember for the years to come.

Bowling For Babies Scheduled for October 15th...

The Share Southern Vermont board of directors has begun planning for their next big fundraiser.

Our First Annual, Bowling for Babies will be held on Thursday, October 15th 2009. This is not a random date. October 15 is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day.

Details to follow soon. We look forward to joining the nation at 7pm in the Global Wave of Light to remember our little ones lost too soon. Click HERE to read about Oct. 15th's origination.

In the past month, Share Southern Vermont members have attended one infant funeral and sent memoralizing support to two families suffering through the loss of their babies. We are beginning to hear about these losses as they happen and must continue to raise funds to ensure we can provide support through: attendance, memory boxes, books, support guides, and memory bears and pigs for the siblings.

If you are local please save the date!
If you follow us online, please consider donating. Our goal is $1000.00.

BECUASE YOU GIVE --- WE SHARE