|
|
Bridging People and PlacesOne Person at a Time |
How You Can Help: VOLUNTEER ~ FUNDRAISE ~ DONATE ~ GIVE a PRODUCT or SERVICE
 |
The Mason and Megan Program began in July of 2002 in memory of premature twins who passed away shortly after their birth. Friends and family members of the twins started the memorial program for the purpose of providing support to other parents who experience the death of an infant before, at, or shortly after birth. Hollie Vanderzee, who developed the program, said, "When my son and his wife lost Mason and Megan, they were given an angel urn, handmade infant gowns, and hats by the Perinatal Loss Support staff at Northside Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. At a time when emotions were raw and coping mechanisms stressed... these gifts, made with love by volunteers, were greatly appreciated."
|
| She continued, "The Mason and Megan Program is close
to my heart. We help families through their grieving process by
acknowledging and honoring the life of their infant and letting the parents
know we care. No one is ever prepared for the loss of an infant.
Even the smallest newborn clothing is not appropriately sized for a premature baby. The patterns for bereavement items are appropriate for babies from one pound to full term. The work our volunteers do with their hands and hearts has meaning and purpose... it is healing for both the giver and the receiver. Many of these gowns are made by women who lost babies many years ago, at a time when our culture was not as supportive of the grieving process around the loss of an infant at birth." |
Supporting Hospital Bereavement Programs
We work through hospital bereavement programs by providing items free of charge to be given to parents who lose an infant. Each year, we donate over 1,000 bereavement items to hospitals. For pictures and a listing of available items, click here.
Support for Parents
Support resources for parents include: Website resources, an extensive bibliography, and poems from the heart. Care Cards, providing useful information for those attempting to support grieving families, are also available free of charge. Click here for the support resources we provide for parents.
Many volunteer opportunities are available to support this project. We have patterns for gowns, hats, and blankets, and sizes for quilts. For a description of these opportunities, click here.
Donations
The Mason and Megan Program is funded entirely by corporate and individual donations. These donations are tax deductible. Please specify the Mason and Megan Program when sending checks to Bridging People and Places.
Information on Infant Bereavement and Loss