Special Service Projects

MISS/SA Memory Makers

In November of 2010 we officially launched Memory Makers, our local burial assistance program, with University Hospital. Since then SEVEN families have been referred for assistance and they were able to hold memorial services for their babies…instead of being forced to choose an unmarked, group/pauper’s grave due to financial limitations.

Thanks to the grant we received in 2010 and the very generous support of Mission Park Funeral Home, these families were able to have the services of their choice and their children will rest eternally in the Babyland section of Mission Park’s flagship cemetery. And because of the generous donation of one of our own “alumni” families, a marker will also be provided for one of the graves. Special thanks also to Threads of Love, Sarah Chapter, for donating the gorgeous hand-crafted caskets and burial gowns; because of their involvement in our program we are able to assist TWICE as many families as we would otherwise. We are so honored to have the support of so many as we reach out to those in our own community who simply wish to say a dignified goodbye to their children.
UPDATE for 2012: Special thanks to a very generous anonymous donor for funding our entire program for 2012!! This incredible donation means that we will be able to continue providing burial assistance to families who need it.
If you are interested in supporting this initiative, just let us know.  You will be surprised to learn how very little can make an enormous difference in the life of a family enduring such a time of need. Every donation has an impact.

The MISSing Ingredients Cookbook

MISS families all over the world submitted recipes and memorials to create this wonderful collection of family favorites. The MISSing Ingredients: A Re-member-ing Cookbook is $15.00 + $5.00 S/H and can be ordered from this site.  Because of a generous donation which covered the production costs, 100% of proceeds will be available to support the MISS Foundation and help families across the country.

Threads of Love

Do you sew or crochet or knit? We are always collecting items to donate to our Threads of Love chapter.  They currently make a huge variety of items for our local hospitals – not just blankets and booties.  They have patterns and details for all kinds of projects.  Contact Threads of Love for more details on how you can help.

Memory Boxes

boxes

Hospitals give these very special boxes to families who must leave without their baby.  These boxes will contain a variety of mementoes: photos, handprints and footprints, booties, hats, blankets, tiny clothes, stuffed animals, the tape used to measure the baby, etc.  Often they are the only items the family will have to remember their child…the only things that will later prove their baby really existed.

Anyone who is interested in helping us create these boxes for donation is welcome to participate. The completed boxes are delivered to local hospitals and given to the families they serve.  It’s very powerful to know that such a special item has been hand-painted by a mother who understands…by a woman who possesses one of these boxes herself.  It’s important to us that families who are new to this journey know they are not alone.

Boxes for University Hospital May 2009 (3)

This project is time-consuming, but inexpensive.  For about $25 we can provide 4 or 5 of these boxes to our hospitals.  So, this is a great project for our community to support.  You can purchase boxes and supplies to donate…you can paint boxes with us…you can donate funds to be used for this project.  Every little bit helps – and the hospitals are in need of these boxes – they tell us they often run out of them.  Contact Jennifer or Nicole if you would like to support this on-going service project.  We would love to have your help!!

Box Delivery University Hospital May 2009