Testimonials
"I appreciate having beautiful coordinated layettes and keepsakes in all the appropriate sizes to offer to each patient and her family as these sets do not exist to be purchased on short notice." —L & D Nurse
"I can't believe that someone made this with such thought, care and perfect workmanship. It has taken a lot of worry off me to see my baby boy cared for so respectfully." —Anonymous Parent
"I am on the front line providing care to patients so I witness the impact of this ministry on families. The layettes and keepsakes are given to families from every walk of life who find themselves thrust unexpectedly into one of life’s most distressing situations—the death of their baby during pregnancy or shortly after birth. They rarely have any warning or time to prepare. The layettes serve a vital need and the keepsakes are treasured by the families for a lifetime."
—Bonnie Tincher, RNC, CNS, MSN (Now a board member of Angel Layettes)
"I care for families who have experienced the loss of an infant through miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death and can provide an appropriately sized, beautifully crafted layette created by caring volunteers. They are so touched and relieved. Infant clothing in these small sizes is not readily available in the retail market. The layettes provide the family with treasured keepsakes that acknowledges and honors the infant’s life." —Grateful Labor & Delivery Nurse
"Angel Layettes add a beautiful lasting memory to a life event that is permeated with profound grief." —Susan S., R.N.
"Our box arrived! It felt like Christmas! I opened each one. Absolutely beautiful! I am so happy to have them. I like how they velcro in the front. It will make handling these little ones easier. I especially like the lavender sleeves as a keepsake 'box.' I will prepare them to hand out with all of the information the parents will need. I know they will be so appreciated. I will keep you up to date on their use and outcomes. Your ladies do beautiful work. Please share with them our appreciation."
—Amy G., RN
"We are so blessed to have you and your organization. Blessings to you!" —Michelle P., RN
"Thank you for providing our Angel Layettes." —Georgia
"Thank you for thinking of others during their time of need."
—Karoline
"This is so great! Be blessed and know this will bless many."
"You really live up to your name." —Marie T.
"We love them. Thank you. They are gorgeous." —Sharon B.
"We want to thank your group for the beautifully handmade infant gowns, blankets, caps and hearts. We know our patients will appreciate the love and care you put into making them." —Hospital Staff
What's New?
By MELISSA HAYES/The Lufkin Daily News
Article located at lufkindailynews.com
With soft material, sewing machines, scissors and straight pins, a group of Huntington women hope to give back to families grieving the loss of a child.
Members of Huntington United Methodist Church have joined a Tyler-based charity, Angel Layettes, to provide burial garments for families who have lost a baby, whether by miscarriage, stillborn or after-birth complications. The tiny burial garments are hand-sewn with love, along with a blanket, hat and keepsake heart, and packaged for hospital staff across the nation, including Memorial Medical Center-Lufkin.
“This small package has a lot of integrity,” Angel Layettes founder Sharon Sikes said. “The nursing staff can take one of these to the family, and it’s a beginning in helping the family heal when the baby is brought in.”
Sikes started the charity out of her attic in 2004. It became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2007 as the recognized need for burial layettes grew considerably nationwide.
“I love to sew, and I saw this as an opportunity to do what I love, help others and be anonymous in the process,” Sikes said.
The Huntington division of Angel Layettes began in May, and that group of women meet once a week to work.
“I saw a story about Angel Layettes, and it touched me,” Sandy Sheffield, of Huntington, said. “I saw the need and I wanted to get involved. How could you not want to be involved?”
Some of the patterns for the layettes are no bigger than an adult woman’s hand. The design of the garment makes it easy for nurses to handle the baby’s fragile skin. Soft pinks, blues and yellows are used, and each one is specially and uniquely made.
Keepsake hearts are put together with broken lines, symbolizing the broken heart of a mother after losing her child.
“This is our way of saying that was your child, and now you have something to remember this time by,” Sikes said.
Sewing skills are not needed in order to help.
“I can’t sew, but more than two-thirds of what we do doesn’t involve sewing,” Huntington volunteer Kathy Caton said. “If you can use scissors or an iron, you can help.”
The garments and keepsakes are offered to the family at no charge. Sheffield said there is room to grow at Huntington United Methodist Church and volunteers are welcome to join. For more information about the organization, go to angellayettes.org.
Melissa Hayes’ e-mail address is mhayes@lufkindailynews.com.