Is there a modeling career in her future?

I have lots of photos to post from my week in Iowa and most will have to wait...  But I think there may be someone anxiously waiting for these photos... 

AngelGownsbyjacki was blessed with the generosity of the Grimes Community Center to agree to serve as a drop off for donations and dresses after the KCCI airing of an interview with me about a year ago. (Please note that the GCC is no longer serving as a drop off location.)

We were not expecting the amazing response but the staff at the GCC handled the situation with expertise.  Amie Chumbley, with the help of Roberta Shuey, managed the initial processing and storage of the dresses once delivered to GCC.  

But it takes a village.....  and there is a group of ladies that meet at the center for friends, fun, and food.  When some of these amazing women saw what was going on with the dresses, they wanted to get involved!!!  Along the way, these ladies have been assisting Amie and Roberta in getting the dresses ready for storage and after a full day on Saturday, we can say that the last of the dresses are now ready for storage pending their transformation.


One of the men had brought his granddaughter with him to GCC Saturday and while he was bowling, she visited with us.  Grandpa stopped down to check on the granddaughter and I asked if I could post some photos of her...  I think he was pleased to give his approval.

Adia, who is 13, was an impressive and lovely young lady.  She was thoughtful, respectful, intelligent, and well mannered.  Kudos to her family and the community that taught her these valuable life lessons!

While the ladies and I were working away and sorting the donations, Adia was admiring the dresses and the veils and the fabric....  I could just TELL what she was thinking....  she had that female "hungry" look on her face....

So I asked if she would like to try one on.  There was a spark in her eye and a yes on her lips so we had a little fun!!!     Adia was so excited, yet still very respectful of the fabrics. 

Here you are, Adia!

And as it is with girls, Adia started talking about plans for her own wedding.....    I was impressed with how well-grounded she seemed. 

We went for a "traditional" wedding pose below :)

I think all the ladies enjoyed the fashion show as much as I did and I know Adia had fun.   Thank you, Adia, for being SUCH a lovely model!

Watch for more photos of the activity at the GCC on Saturday in the coming week or two...

Have a dream filled day!!

I am in the Angel studio today.... 

I decided to work on a few dresses that were collected as a result of the story ran on KCCI about my mission.
  

Anonymous

Anonymous

Karla Day

Anonymous

Thank you to KCCI, the donators, the Grimes Community Center, the GSC coffee ladies, and ESPECIALLY to Amie Chumbley for managing the donations.  Without all of you doing what you do, I can't do what I do....  and its all for the Angelbabies.

We have gone global!!! 

I was notified that my article was presented in what I believe to be German and Romanian news sources!  I again thank KCCI for airing the story.

How cool is that??

Just for fun, I am offering the articles, as written, for posterity! Enjoy!!!

T h e  G e r m a n  a r t i c l e:

http://likemag.com/de/sie-schneidet-dieses-alte-hochzeitskleid-stuecke-was-sie-daraus-macht-ist-einfach-nur-traurig

Sie schneidet dieses alte Hochzeitskleid in Stücke. Was sie daraus macht, ist einfach nur traurig.

 

Jacki Cohoon aus Iowa, USA, hat in ihrem Leben schon viel Leid erfahren müssen. Jetzt hat sie einen Weg gefunden sich und auch anderen damit zu helfen. Alles was sie dazu braucht, ist ein altes Hochzeitskleid, eine Schere, sowie Nadel und Faden.
Denn Jacki schneidert aus den Hochzeitskleidern etwas Unglaubliches... Wir sind den Tränen schon jetzt Nahe.

Hol deine Taschentüchter raus, denn diese Geschichte ist das Traurigste, was wir seit langem gelesen haben. Alles begann mit der Geburt von Jacki Cohoons Brüder. Denn ihre beiden Zwillingsbrüder kamen viel zu früh zur Welt und verstarben nur 10 Tage nach ihrer Geburt. Dieses Erlebniss begleitet Jacki schon ihr ganzes Leben.

Während viele Frühgeburten dank der Wunder der Technik heute überleben, sterben noch immer mehr als 1 Million Frühchen und das jedes Jahr. Um den Eltern in diesen schweren Stunden etwas Trost zu spenden, schneidert Jacki sogenannte "Engels-Kleider".
Denn leider gibt es bis heute keine Kleidchen für Frühgeburten, wenn die Eltern ihre Kinder also zu Grabe tragen, haben diese keine passende Kledung dafür.

Jackie rief das Programm vor 3 Jahren ins Leben. Seither sucht sie in Seondhand-Läden nach alten Hochzeitskleidern. Viele werden ihr auch einfach zugeschickt. Anschliessend näht sie daraus wunderschöne Kleidchen, dafür verwendet sie jedes noch so kleine Stück der Hochzeitskleider und schickt sie kostenlos an trauernde Eltern.

Eine von ihnen ist Rebecca Bruce, dir ihr Kind in der 39. Schwangerschaftswoche verloren hat. "Es war unglaublich tröstlich, dass man sich in dieser sonst schon so schweren Stunde, nicht auch noch um solche Dinge wie Kleider sorgen muss. Es ist schön zu wissen, dass mein kleines Baby so etwas Schönes tragen darf und das bis in alle Ewigkeit", sagt Rebecca.

Jacki will noch so lange weitermachen wie sie kann, "ich mache es für meine Brüder", sagt sie, "und ich werde niemals aufgeben." Unglaublich wie stark Jacki ist, diese selbstlose Frau hilft mit dieser schönen Gesten Müttern in ihrer schwersten Stunde.

 

 

T h e  R o m a n i a n  a r t i c l e:

http://www.protv.ro/stiri/aceasta-femeie-taie-o-rochie-veche-de-mireasa-in-bucatele-mici-in-ce-o-transforma-rezultatul-este-incredibil.html

Aceasta femeie taie o rochie veche de mireasa in bucatele mici. In ce o transforma? Rezultatul este incredibil

Aceasta femeie taie o rochie veche de mireasa in bucatele mici. In ce o transforma? Rezultatul este incredibil

Gemenii lui Jackie Cohoon au murit dupa zece ore de cand s-au nascut, iar aceasta femeie a decis sa ii trasforme in niste ingerasi de care toata lumea sa isi aminteasca.

Motivul? Incearca sa le faca pe celelalte familii care trec prin situatia ei sa depaseasca cu bine momentul tragic. Femeia din Iowa sta ore intregi si alege rochiile de mireasa donate de mirese pentru a le transforma in hainute pentru bebelusii care s-au nascut prematur si au murit.
"Nu exista haine pentru bebelusi care s-au nascut prematur. Nu ai de unde sa le cumperi", a marturiist femeia cu lacrimi in ochi.
"Fac acest lucru pentru ca imi doresc sa fie imbracati pe masura atunci cand trec in lumea ingerasilor si nu sa poarte niste haine care sunt prea mari sau doar in bucatele de scutece", a mai adaugat ea.

Fimuletul de mai jos este de-a dreptul impresionant!



An easy translator is found at  https://translate.google.com.  It will even detect the language if you aren't sure. 

Beautiful!

Bless you for your donations!


Lauren Kalna
Phoenix, AZ



Valerie Samuels
Las Vegas NV



T & L Hass
Eugene, OR

Jada Hallberg,
Pocahantas, IA 

Gina Newman





Generous Iowa Hearts #4

Slowly, I am working my way through the donated dresses and getting them ready for storage until they can begin their transformation into AngelGowns!

Most of the dresses donated as a result of the KCCI story did not reflect names and will be considered donated anonymously and can be retrieved by using "KCCI" in your search.*

However, today's installment of dresses came with stories, heartfelt emotions, and information about the dresses or their owners.   So many hearts are touched by AngelGowns.  Please know that I more than appreciate the notes and encouragement and enjoy the details of the dresses or information on their ages.

Terri Simmons enclosed a prayer with her dress let me know that she and her "co-workers prayed over the dress that it would bring comfort to families". 

Terri included a photo of her
wearing the dress and added,  "God Bless".

 

The above dress was donated by Jenae Stoterau.






Do you remember when the details of the bride's gown was published in the newspaper?

Included with Marcy Blazek's dress on the right was the bridal shop's description.

"We saw your story on KCCI.  Thank you for helping all of the grieving families

I hope my wedding dress from 1981 will help - I can't think of a better place for it to go."

















Of her dress on the right, Mrs. Phyllis Lass says,

"I think you are doing wonderful work of love.  I hope you can use this 56 year old gown."




Thank you, everyone; bits of your gown will beautifully grace many, many Angelbabies.

















* If I have published your dress incorrectly or without your name and you wish to be identified, please contact me via email HERE with the information you would like included and a description of your dress.  thank you for your understanding.

Generous Iowa hearts #3

 

Overcast, with a definite chance of AngelGowns:  Its been raining what seems like every day.  I wanted to take some outdoor photos of more of the dresses donated after the KCCI story (http://www.kcci.com/news/these-special-gowns-help-families-heal-when-babies-die/33251658) and thought I could wait out the rain.

Its still overcast, but at least no rain...  or, no rain more than some random sprinkles...  so I grabbed the camera!!!






While I waited on the rain, I did start working on the dresses, removing the hooks/eyes, and taking apart some of the underlinings...
 























so if some of the dresses look a little bit "sheer", its my fault...  I was just so anxious to get started!!




What a blessing these dresses were, and will be, to the families that have, and will, share the fabric, the laces, the ribbons...



Speaking of...  I wanted to show a close up of the trim that runs down the center of this dress....

So sweet!


 Watch for more dresses!!

* If I have published your dress incorrectly or without your name and you wish to be identified, please contact me via email HERE with the information you would like included and a description of your dress.  thank you for your understanding.

Blessings from Iowa's Generous Hearts #2

I continue to work on the donated dresses recently dropped off at the Grimes Community Center for Angelgownsbyjacki.


























I enjoy looking at the styles of the some of the vintage dresses so lovingly preserved after their very special event.

And I am touched that some of the dresses were worn by children.....  and will once again clothe precious children.



I also love to ponder the settings that the dresses graced in their lifetimes.

AngelGowns generally can not use veils. 

However, the headdresses on these veils will be dismantled and the decorations will be used on AngelCaps.

It has been a productive day and I end my day feeling happy, blessed, and satisfied!!







* If I have published your dress incorrectly or without your name and you wish to be identified, please contact me via email HERE with the information you would like included and a description of your dress.  thank you for your understanding.

Blessings from Iowa's Generous Hearts #1

The first batch of beautiful dresses donated after the interview on KCCI, Des Moines, Iowa, has been picked up from Grimes Community Center, which serves as our Central Iowa drop off center. 

Amie Chumbley, one of the "angels on earth" that help me do what I do, delivered them to me and will begin gathering the next batch.

The dress to the left featured a
gorgeous detachable train

Believe me when I say I depend a great deal on my "angels on earth".  They spend countless hours collecting, sorting, packaging, dismantling, sewing, spreading the word, and providing encouragement.


























I have started working on a few to get them ready for their very special transformation into amazing Angel items for pre-term babies in Iowa, Arizona, and through the United States... or where ever there is a need.

Each of these dresses were donated without donor information so they will be listed under the "KCCI Anonymous" topic reference in the right column entitled Generous Hearts who have Donated.  The topic reference allows you to review the dresses and the AngelGown items made from those dresses by clicking on either the donator's name or the name in which the dress was donated.  As there are several dresses donated anonymously, any donator delivering their dress in this manner may have to carefully search for their dress.


This particular dress included a very large and
separate train, shown at right.

I apologize for the poor light but trust me that these dresses are AMAZING and will result in many, many precious Angel Gowns, Caps, and Wraps for the Angelbabies.

  



Due to a car accident* on Friday evening, the initial processing of these dresses may be a bit slow as I can only work on them an hour or two at a time for now.  PLEASE be patient.

* Everyone in our car are basically fine, given that we are all suffering for (hopefully) temporary muscle pain and stiffness.  I understand that the driver who rear-ended us is also ok but I do not have any confirmation.

NOTE:   If I have published your dress incorrectly or without your name and you wish to be identified, please contact me via email HERE with the information you would like included and a description of your dress.  thank you for your understanding.