Reason and purpose

For the twins Ronny and Johnny,
and for Jeff, and Jay,
my Angel brothers

My mother went into labor at about 28 weeks, on September 18, 1959.  It surprised everyone, even the doctor, when she delivered twins.  These tiny boys came into the world at just over 2 pounds each.

Johnny, the smallest, was called to be an Angel 5 hours after his birth.  Ronny joined his brother 5 hours later.

Due to the autopsy performed, the twins' little heads had a very large incision.  To ensure that the incisions were not the last thing my mother saw of her tiny Angels, my grandmother searched and searched for doll clothing small enough to fit, yet had bonnets to cover the incisions.

My family's experience has always had a haunting effect on me.  No one should have to put aside their grieving and be out searching for clothing or bonnets for their precious Angels. 

I had been searching for the right service project for several years; I had made about 60 quilts for the homeless and disaster victims (tornados, wildfires, floods), dog beds for shelters, did "walks" to raise money for charities, etc, but nothing had really felt "right". 

When I heard about Angel Gowns - the transformation of donated wedding dresses into burial accoutrement for pre-term babies who were given wings and called to be Angels too soon - it touched my heart in a way I had not previously experienced - I felt my Angel brothers smile.  I knew I needed to be a part of it.

Since April 2014, I serve as an official Ambassador for AngelGowns. AngelGownsbyjacki accepts donated wedding dresses and other formal dresses from all over the United States and Canada.  We transform these dresses into gowns, caps, wraps, and other items for Angels weighing under five pounds, and provide them to birthing centers and mortuaries in Iowa, Arizona, their surrounding states, and anywhere else there is a need. 

AngelGownsbyjacki

transforming donated wedding dresses and formal dresses
into the tiniest of burial accoutrements for
babies who were given their wings and became Angels far too soon.

Offering

AngelGowns,
AngelWraps, 
AngelCaps,
and
AngelBlankets.

Please be assured that AngelGowns does not charge for any of the Angel items and insists that birthing centers and mortuaries agree to offer our items free to the families of the Angelbabies.


For information on donating dresses, supplies, or contributions toward the cost of running AngelGowns by jacki, please review information under the "To Donate" tab. 

For information on requesting that AngelGown items be delivered to a birthing center, hospital, or similar type of institution, please review information under "To Request Items" tab.  As AngelGown items are completed by volunteers, please be aware that no guarantees can be made regarding delivery as shipments are based on availability.