NICU Helping Hands’ Angel Gown® Program began in 2013 because we recognized there was an overwhelming need for better support for families who lost a baby. Our Angel Gown® Program provides comfort for bereaved families through the gift of a beautiful custom made gown for final photos and for burial services. We provide support resources and mentoring programs for bereaved families as well. There is no greater gift that can be given to a grieving family than affirming the importance of the life of their child by offering the simple gift of our Angel Gown® Garments and supporting them emotionally and educationally afterwards.
Our program is made possible because of wonderful donors and volunteers who have often experienced the loss of their own children or of another loved one. Brides from around the world donate their precious wedding gowns to NICU Helping Hands. The wedding gowns are then distributed to our team of over 180 seamstresses throughout the United States to convert into perfectly made garments that a family will use to wrap their precious baby in for their final journey. Our garments are a gift of love from both a bride and a seamstress to honor not only a precious baby but their family as well.
It is a privilege for us to provide gowns free of charge to any hospital or family requesting our Angel Gown® Program garments. Please note: Our Angel Gown® Program is a nationally registered and trademarked program and is available across the United States.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Last year, NICU Helping Hands spent more than $35,000 sending gowns to homes and hospitals. We need your help – but not with wedding dresses right now. With our wedding gown donations being currently on a waitlist and on an as-needed basis, our focus is on getting our gowns into the hands of those that need them. As our efforts continue to ensure families across the nation have the proper support and resources, our shipping costs are rising due to demand. Even the smallest amount helps tremendously.
Our efforts, no matter how small, can make a lasting difference…
For Hospitals
Hospitals that wish to stock our Angel Gown® garments should complete a hospital request.
Urgent Angel Gown® Program Requests
We are saddened that anyone needs an Angel Gown®, but we are honored to provide your precious child with a garment that has been lovingly made by a volunteer seamstress from a donated wedding gown.
For Donations & Volunteer Seamstresses
If you are interested in donating a wedding gown to our program please click here to view our FAQs and get more information.
To learn more about our volunteer seamstress program, please subscribe to our newsletter below. We are not always accepting new applicants to the program, but will notify you when a training session begins to determine your interest and availability.
Your gift of love is priceless to grieving families and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping us comfort them through this program.