A local non-profit that was started in 2014 is repurposing wedding gowns for a good cause, and reflecting on their past work as we head into a New Year.
Angel Gowns of WNY is a volunteer based group that takes donated wedding gowns, and turns them into both final photo & burial gowns for young children whose lives were sadly lost. Gowns are made to help comfort those grieving during a time of loss.
The group distributes their gowns to any hospital, infant loss organization, funeral home, or family that is in need at no cost to the recipients.
Since 2014 the group has been able to ship over 20,000 angel gowns across the country, as well as 8 different countries around the world.
"Every year in the USA alone, over 626,000 babies are born through still birth or miscarriage. That’s more than one baby every minute that doesn’t get to go home with his or her parents." they wrote on their website "It is our mission to provide a beautiful, one of a kind, Angel Gown to every baby that needs one. What a special way to honor their precious lives and to provide love and compassion for their parents whose arms, and lives, are left empty by their loss."
The group holds donation opportunities for those with dresses to donate on special dates listed on their website. They also accept materials such as white thread, satin ribbon, jumbo zip lock bags, and gift cards to various craft retailers.
People looking to learn more about making a donation can visit www.angelgownsofwny.com/faq/ . They are not currently accepting donations but hope to in the spring.
As we close out 2023 the group was happy to share they created 4,202 angel gowns, and shipped out 120 boxes which is the most they have made and shipped since their start in 2014.
To learn more about Angel Gowns of WNY visit www.angelgownsofwny.com
