From Regina’s Desk

This new feature includes selected

correspondence going into and out

of our email box, our mailbox, and

voicemail. We are delighted to

share moments of gratitude, out-

reach, and connection.

This month, SRF support

group members learned about

a website called More Love Letters

(www.moreloveletters.com), a non-profit

that celebrates the power of a hand-written

letter among strangers. Thoughtful people

can send letters and cards to special people

who are nominated by friends and family.

The “bundles” are collected by the nomina-

tor, and given to the person. One woman on

the list, which changes weekly, had lost her

child. On behalf of the SRF, office staff sent

a short note letting her know how much we

cared.

A counselor from a local practice heard

about the Oct. 15 Walk to Remember and

asked for literature. “This is so needed in

this community,” she wrote.

SRF In the News Part I: Regina Harlow’s

Open Forum article about child loss and

bereavement will be published in an upcom-

ing issue of the Daily News-Record. This is

advance PR for the Oct. 15 Walk to Remem-

ber. She was also interviewed by the Daily

News-Record for an article about the walk.

Look for both articles in the coming weeks.

SRF In the News Part II: Also in our mail-

box last month was the fall issue of Valley

Living magazine and an article highlighting

the Sadie Rose Foundation. Special thanks

to author Melodie Davis for her fine work.

As a result of this article, SRF was contact-

ed by a bereaved parent from a nearby com-

munity whose child had died a number of

years ago. The family was so grate-

ful to connect with the network of

support the SRF offers. Whether by

media or word of mouth, we appreci-

ate any opportunity to get the word

out about our support.

A bereaved parent who recently

received a prayer shawl sent a thank

-you note. She voiced her apprecia-

tion for the gift and spoke of how wrapping

the blanket around her provided comfort.

This prayer shawl was one of 7 present-

ed to the Sadie Rose Foundation this summer by

the Outreach Ministry of the Dayton United

Methodist Church. Ladies of the church cro-

cheted beautiful soft multi-colored shawls,

which were blessed at a service this summer.

After the Newtown school shooting, concerned

members of the ministry had contacted the

UMC church in Connecticut. Officials there

appreciated the response but said they were

overwhelmed and asked the Dayton ministry to

find a need close to home. DUMC connected

with the Sadie Rose Foundation, and in June,

Executive Director Regina Harlow accepted the

shawls on behalf of the Foundation. During a

brief presentation for the congregation, she also

spoke about the founding and mission of the

Sadie Rose Foundation. Several of the DUMC

congregation took part in the second annual

Sadie Rose 5K the next weekend, running in

memory of Newtown victims.

October 1, 2013

Support for child, infant and pregnancy loss

Volume 10 Issue 3

Pathways

Miss our last newsletter?

All our newsletters can be

viewed on our website or

you may contact our office

for a hard copy.

“Because the path of grief after losing a child should never be walked alone”

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 382 Dayton, VA 22821

Physical address: 206 Main Street Suite B Dayton, VA 22821

www.sadierosefoundation.org ~ 540-810-0307~ office@sadierosefoundation.org

Support groups, Internet community, One-on-one lay counseling, Remembrance events

3—Miscarriage Support

Meeting, 6:30 pm

10—Monthly Support

Coffee, 10 am

14—Bereaved Parent

Support Meeting, 7 pm

15—Remembering Our

Babies Walk, 6:30 pm

25—Bereaved family

support meeting

See details and

locations for all our

events inside this

newsletter

In Our Mailbox

My personal note is short and sweet this month. We have so many wonderful things going on and

events coming up that space here is limited. Be sure to check our website and Facebook page often for

the most up-to-date information. We are gearing up for our Remembering our Babies Walk and our

Candlelight Ceremony. (Send us your photos for the candlelight slideshow now so we can get the

presentation ready.) See page 4 for more details about both. We are also planning our annual Novem-

ber carry-in meal for all families within all our support groups—more details about that next month.

All of these besides our regular monthly support meetings reinforces that we are here to walk the

grief-journey with you, “because the path of grief after losing a child should never be walked alone.”

Thanks to everyone who

was willing to share their

stories for our newsletter.

The response was

wonderful and we will be

working together to get

them into print. If you

are interested in sharing

your story, please let us

know.

Subscribe to the SRF

website to receive an

email each time we

publish a blog. Visit our

website and subscribe in

the top right-hand

corner.

Lauren Jefferson and Kassandra

Lambert contributed to this

newsletter.

One-on-one support is available at our office by appointment. Call Regina at 540-810-4351 or

email regina@sadierosefoundation to schedule a time.

We also have several private Facebook groups, one for bereaved parents and one for those

who are pregnant after a loss. This is in addition to our public Facebook page. Feel free to

request to join these groups that apply.

Parents who are willing to talk if you are interested

Frank Bennett—540–3839082—lost infant. Frank also has a bereaved dad’s support forum

on Facebook called “Daddy’s Breath.”

Tanya Bennett—540-383-9077—also on Facebook. Lost infant

Daniel and Naomi Lambert—540-433-8894—lost two infants. Also have teenagers as sibling

support

Anita Thompson—540-209-3251—also on Facebook. Grandparent/parent support

Lee Harlow—540-480-4928 and Regina Harlow—540-810-4351—also on Facebook. Lost

infant

Suzy LaBonte—540-833-4185—HopeForLife@juno.com. Lost teenager. Hosts a support

group called “Lanterns of Hope” for those who have lost a loved one to suicide.

Angie Magenhofer—momofclbl@gmail.com—also on Facebook. Stillbirth and miscarriage

If you would like to be added to this list as a volunteer support contact, please contact us.

Page 2 Pathways

Additional support

Oct 3: Miscarriage Support Meeting,

6:30 p.m. at our office at 206 Main Street

Dayton. Coffee and light refreshments

provided.

Oct 10: Monthly Support Coffee, Sadie

Rose office, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. An informal

gathering with coffee and fellow bereaved

families. ***Children are usually present at

this event.

Oct 14: Bereaved Parent Support

Meeting, Adults only, 7 p.m. at our office,

206 Main Street Dayton, VA Suite B. For

parents who have lost a child of any age.

Coffee and light refreshments provided.

Oct 15: Remembrance Walk and Wave

of Light. See detail on page 4.

Oct 25: Bereaved Family Support

Meeting, Sunrise Church of the Brethren, 7

p.m. Park towards the back of the building

and enter the double glass doors in the back.

Nursery is the second door on your left and

the meeting room on the third room on the

left. ***Children are usually present at this

event. Childcare available.

Weekly Online Support Chat, Sundays, 9

P.M. EST. To participate, visit our website

and click on the large “Support Group”

button on the right sidebar.

Nov 22: November Meal, This is a carry-

in meal in place of our November Bereaved

Family Meeting. Anyone involved in ANY of

our support meetings is welcome to attend.

Dec 8: Worldwide Candlelight

Ceremony, Sunrise Church of the Brethren,

7 p.m.

Miscarriage Support Meetings the first

Thursday of every month, Informal Coffee

the second Thursday, Bereaved Parent

Meetings the second Monday and Bereaved

Family Meetings the fourth Friday. Some

exceptions so check our, website, calendar

and Facebook page often.

For more information about any of our

events, please contact our office.

Calendar of Events

RMH Bereaved Parents

Memorial Tree Service

Monday, Dec. 2, 7-9 pm. In the lobby of RMH.

For individuals/families who have experienced pregnancy

loss or early infant death. All are encouraged to bring an

ornament to hang on the tree in remembrance of their baby.

Refreshments will be served following the service.

Ways to be Involved We are so grateful for all who become

involved with the Sadie Rose Foundation.

Volunteer:

We need people to help set up and tear

down for our Remembering our Babies

Walk October 15th as well as for our

November Meal on November 22 and our

Candlelight Ceremony December 8th.

There are office volunteer opportunities

as well with monthly mailings and

bereavement packet preparation.

Volunteers please let us know how you would

like your name to be listed for recognition in

our newsletter and publications.

Sponsorships:

Newsletters—This is one of our most

important avenues of communication

between us, bereaved families, and our

donors. Cost of printing averages $100 a

month. To sponsor the newsletter, mark

your gift “newsletter.”

Bereavement Packets—This is the way

we make our initial connections with

newly bereaved families. We hear time

and time again how comforting these

packets are. Some of the items like the

hand-sewn angels and prayer pockets

are donated by other families, but we also

include additional grief resources. To

sponsor a packet, mark your gift

“Bereavement Packet.”

Office—Our office provides a safe mutual

meeting point for one-on-one lay

counseling, monthly support meetings,

and a space where office staff and

bereaved families and donors can come

together to achieve our goal of providing

grief education and bereavement support.

To sponsor office operations, mark your

gift “office.”

Remembrance Events—The remem-

brance ceremonies and events we offer

are among the most important means of

support we provide to bereaved families.

To provide sponsorship for remembrance

events and ceremonies, mark you gift

“remembrance events.”

General Gift—Gifts to be used wherever

they are most needed.

Donations are tax-deductible. You may also

donate in honor or memory of a child or loved

one and we will send a card to that family

letting them know a donation has been made

in their honor/memory.

Please include your name as you would like it

to be used for our thanks and recognitions.

We know that it is only because of YOU that

we can continue offering grief education and

support. We are incredibly grateful for all

who volunteer and/or who contribute

financially to make this support possible.

Page 3 Pathways

Name: Parents DOB DOD

William Foltz Krista Crebs 10/04/2008 10/04/2008

Aaden Proffitt Aaron and Ashlee 10/08/2008 11/15/2008

Cyndal Ward Corina Johnson 10/12/1995 10/31/2012

Christine Hobbs Jeff and Phyllis 10/13/2007 02/19/2009

Aaron Birkett Erick and Deborah 10/14/1979 01/18/1983

Nevaeh Harris Andrea 10/18/2011 10/18/2011

Roy Smith Crystal Smith 10/18/1991 11/07/2008

Roy Smith

Jacob Kiser Richard Kiser 10/18/1991 12/31/2010

Cynthia Crowley

Matthew Privott Robert and Tammi 10/20/1991 07/30/2008

Kaylee Whetzel Michael 03/20/2004 10/23/2009

Eric Koogler Eldon and Irene 10/25/1991 09/03/2007

Aaron Kling Roy and Carla 10/25/2010 10/25/2010

David Silling Robert and Edith 10/26/2006 11/28/2008

Hannah Lewis Stacey Metheny 04/01/1998 10/28/2012

Cheyenne Foltz Jamie and Amanda 10/30/1996 01/29/2010

Jackson Reel Vonda Johnston 01/27/1996 10/31/2012

Clifford Reel

Please take time to remember these families and their children gone too soon. Feel free to clip this section from your newsletter and

post it somewhere as a daily reminder to think of these families. To submit your child’s information or to correct or complete missing

information, email sadieroseoffice@gmail.com or call 540-810-0307.

October Remembrances

Wall of Butterflies

In past weeks, the Sadie Rose Foundation office has

been transformed by butterflies. Our months-long interior

decoration project is coming to close, as we put the final touch-

es on a memorial wall that brings a little bit of the outside in

and a bit of our most treasured memories out.

Thanks to the hard work of many volunteers, the

south wall of our office is now decorated an egg-shell baby

blue color that corresponds to a lovely blue sky. Support staff-

er Kassandra Lambert also created several puffy white clouds

to accent the wall. Recently, we’ve been adding variously-

sized and colored butterflies that contain the hand-printed

names and birthdates of our children.

The butterfly has long been a symbol of grief, awak-

ening, and transformation. Stories abound of butterflies land-

ing in places they’ve never been before, of visiting grieving

family members on special days, of lighting on us as we sit.

As the Sadie Rose Foundation continues to grow in

emotional, spiritual and financial strength, we continue to

dream of a real butterfly memorial garden that will include

plants that attract and nurture butterflies and also provide

safe places for caterpillars to grow and transform. Cultivated

and cared for by our members and our staff, our garden will

provide a place of sustenance, comfort, and support.

For now, though, this is our memorial butterfly

garden.

Each colorful paper butterfly contains the names of

children who belong to our support group members, including

those who are listed each month in our newsletter. We also

included names of children whose loved ones have sponsored

them specifically for this wall.

To add a name to the wall, contact our office by email

or phone. Butterflies can be sponsored for a donation of any

amount. To honor a child’s memory, submit their name, date

of birth, date of death, or date of miscarriage and your dona-

tion of any amount. Your name will be listed as a sponsor on

their butterfly. If you want to sponsor a butterfly without hon-

oring a specific child, we can add a name from our list.

Right: Butterflies in

clusters represent

sibling groups that

have died.

Below: The wall

continues to fill up as

we create butterflies

to honor the

memories of all the

children we carry in

our hearts. We

remember with you.

You’re Not Alone!

The Sadie Rose Foundation is a Shenandoah Valley-based non-profit organization that offers support

to families that have experienced the death of a child, including through pregnancy loss and

miscarriage. All our support and outreach is free of charge. For a complete list of our services, visit

our website and click on the “Support and Outreach” tab or contact our office.

540-810-0307~ office@sadierosefoundation.org ~ www.sadierosefoundation.org

The Sadie Rose Foundation

P.O. Box 382

Dayton, VA 22821

October 2013

When: October 15, 2013

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Where: Court Square in Harrisonburg ~ meet at the gazebo on the west side of the square

In conjunction with National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day, October 15th. We will light candles before

we start walking to participate in the worldwide Wave of Light. People around the globe will also light a candle at 7 p.m. in

their respective time zones to create a 24-hour wave of light as we remember our babies together. Invite your friends,

family, and co-workers to walk with you to raise awareness for all who have been impacted by pregnancy, infant and child

loss. Feel free to make your own t-shirts or create signs to carry as you walk. There is no cost to participate, but

donations are welcome. We will have an information table set up at the event for those who are interested in learning

more about the support we offer. An RSVP is not required, but does help us plan. We have a reply form on our web-

site or you can call or email our office.

Fourth Annual Remembering Our Babies Walk

Candlelight Ceremony Video Submissions

Each year, on the second Sunday of December, the Sadie Rose Foundation participates in the

Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candlelight Ceremony to remember our children gone too soon.

People around the world light candles at 7 p.m. in their respective time zones to create a continuous wave

of light for 24 hours. As part of our local ceremony, Tanya Bennett, compiles a slideshow with pictures of

our children. We invite you to email a photo (or a photo to represent your child such as an angel or a

teddy bear) to Tanya at momy2_an_angel@comcast.net to be included in this year’s slideshow. (If you

have submitted a photo in the past, you do not need to re-send one.) Please include your child’s name,

date of birth and date of death along with a jpeg file of the photo you wish to use. You can also mail the

information to our office.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.