“Afghans for Angels” is an organization made up completely of volunteers who make and distribute baby blankets to local hospitals to give to parents who have suffered the loss of their infant through miscarriage, stillbirth or infant death.
The National Headquarters of "Afghans for Angels" was founded by Ruth Thill of Britt, Iowa in 1996, and is located in the state of Iowa. To contact our Idaho headquarters, please e-mail us, or you may call 208-878-5566.
The death of a child, whether by miscarriage or later on, is a totally devastating event in a parent’s life. While this is sometimes a very difficult subject to speak of, it does happen nonetheless.
Our
“Afghans for Angels” are placed lovingly around these infant angels
when they are held by their families for the brief time in which
bittersweet hellos and sad good-byes are said. The parents are then
allowed to keep these afghans as a token of remembrance of their baby.
Just having something soft to hold is often comforting.
We want to acknowledge that these parents did have a baby. Though their child did not live long; we do not want to diminish the fact that they were, and will continue to be, the parents of this “Forever Baby."
Little Angels
When God calls little children to
dwell with Him above
We mortals sometime question the wisdom of His love
For no heartache compares with the death of a small child
Who does so much to make our world seem wonderful and mild
Perhaps God tires of calling the aged of his fold,
So He picks a rosebud before it can grow old.
God knows how much we need them, and so He takes but few
To make the land of Heaven more beautiful to view
Believing this is difficult still somehow we must try,
The saddest word mankind knows will always be "Goodbye."
So when a little child departs, we who are left behind
Must realize God loves children, Angels are hard to find.
~Author Unknown~
We
are currently serving the
following hospitals:
Bear Lake Memorial - Montpelier
Kristi Transtrum-Director of Nurses
Benewah Community Hospital -
Saint Marie's
Ananda Harper
Caribou Memorial Hospital - Soda
Springs
Flora Gilmer- OB Manager
Cassia Medical Center - Burley
Julie Crane- Labor and Delivery
Clearwater Valley Hospital -
Orofino
Annette Labaron
Eastern Idaho Medical Center -
Idaho Falls
Rebecca Holgreen-Labor and Delivery
Elmore Medical Center - Mountain
Home
Ann Donatelli- Labor and Delivery
or Elaine Stevens- Discharge Coordinator
Franklin County medical Center -
Preston
LuAnn Nielsen –Director of Nursing
Kootenai Medical Center - Coeur D’
Alene
Cheryl Hannah-Bereavement Coordinator
Madison Memorial Hospital -
Rexburg
Tammy Ferney-Labor and Delivery
Magic Valley Regional Medical
Center - Twin Falls
Bridget Burke
McCall Memorial Hospital - McCall
Linda Klind- Director of Nursing
Mercy Medical Center - Nampa
Diane Markus-Nurse Manager
Minidoka Memorial Hospital -
Rupert
Jackie Daniels
Mountain
View Hospital - Idaho Falls
Rozlyn Romriell-Peri-natal unit
Oneida county Hospital - Malad
City
Nancy Asay
Portneuf Medical Center -
Pocatello
Joanne Pierce-labor and delivery
St. Benedicts Hospital - Jerome
Sister Claudia Rae Braun
Saint Joseph Medical Center -
Lewiston
Norma Allen-Labor and Delivery
Steele Memorial Hospital - Salmon
Ann Wornek-Director of Nursing
Teton Valley Hospital - Driggs
Kristen Coburn-Labor and Delivery
Walter Knox Hospital - Emmett
Lynn Schelfield-Director of Nursing
Weiser
Memorial Hospital - Weiser
Rhonda Wagner
"Afghans for Angels" is looking for volunteers to help create these blanket gifts. These loving blankets will hug Angels from preemies up to full term. If you can crochet, knit, sew, quilt, or decorate purchased blankets, we would LOVE to have your help!
Here are a few suggestions in making "angel afghans"...
Please make all blankets in baby colors. Some of the ones that work the best are: pastel blue, pink, mint green, white, or variegated baby colors.
The average size of an "angel afghan" is about 2 feet square. But blankets are needed in every size from the tiny, preemie-sized 12 X 12 inch size all the way up to full size baby blankets.
A "fetal demise pouch" is a nice alternative to a standard blanket for our tiniest angels: Pattern A Pattern B
Any extra special touches are welcome. This is what will make each "angel afghan" so unique and special.
Blanket donations need to be taken directly to a participating hospital. Specify that the blankets are for "Afghans For Angels". Thank You!
Other donations we could use:
- Finished blankets in baby colors
- Yarn in baby colors (Sport Weight and/or 4 Ply Weight)
- Material suitable for babies
- Sewing notions
- Clear Steralite plastic tubs, 58 quart
- Tax-deductible financial donations can also be made to Afghans For Angels. Please contact our state coordinator for further information.
Most of all, we need your help to get the word out! The more volunteers we have; the more families can benefit from our services. Please help us to help others.
.
Contact our state coordinator for further information.
Thank
you for helping us to make just a tiny difference at a very sad time for
these families.
Just the knowledge that someone cared enough to create a special blanket
for their precious
child is certain to provide a measure of comfort to these parents.
May God bless you for your caring and sharing.