We are once again getting ready to participate in the fall craft fair to be held at the Madison East Center in Mankato on Saturday, November 18th.

These birdhouses were handcrafted by Elmer Binsfeld of Big Stone, SD, and will be available for sale at our booth. Elmer has been a woodworker for decades, and his home woodworking shop boasts years of dedication to - and love for - his craft.

One of our local supporters was browsing in his shop - looking for something to purchase and donate to us for the sale. As Elmer helped her choose one, he asked why she was purchasing it. She told him of Wings of Hope and he insisted that she take two more as his personal donation. We love hearing how people connect with the mission of Wings of Hope and are willing to support our group! 

This is an important fundraiser for us as we strive to complete payment on the memorial site and raise funds to supply care packages to parents enduring pregnancy loss. We need your help to do these things!

• Please consider making a donation to the sale. We would love everything from baked goods to crafts! Email us if you are able to donate. [email protected] We can take crafts at any time and can make arrangements for baked goods the day before the sale.
• Please come and shop at our booth! We already have the wren houses, other gift packages, and so many other items! Please share this post so others can see the fun items we are going to have on hand.

We'll keep sharing images of items we have for the sale so you can start making those holiday shopping lists! Also check out our Rainbow Baby Gear we will have available. Thank you for your continued support!

This first image is a throwback to November of 2015, when a spray-painted line and foundation for the central statue were the only hints of change to come. Since that time, Wings of Hope has been blessed by the generosity of community members. We have been able to grow from those stark white lines to the beautiful walkway, carving, benches, and surrounding trees and flowers. 
More than that, though, we have been able to keep growing in community awareness and involvement. But we still have so far to go. 

• We still have just under $3000 left to pay on the work that has already been done.
• We are working on plans for providing care packages to mothers who have to endure pregnancy loss.
• We have to continue to engage the community and bring awareness, support and light to this often unspoken tragedy that strikes 1 in 4.

Please consider helping us in these goals!

• Donate directly to the cause. Every donation is greatly appreciated!
• Order a paver. This is a lasting legacy and show of support.
• Give us your input into the care packages.
• Participate in our fundraisers. Have an idea or opportunity for us? Let us know!
• Let us know how we can keep sharing the mission of Wings of Hope. Our committee members are available to speak with groups, we have brochures we can provide, and are looking for community partners.

Ready to show your support for Wings of Hope? Order your own embroidered shirt today! The soft grey t-shirt has our logo embroidered on the front in purple, and is available in adult sizes S, M, L, XL, and XXL. 

All proceeds from the shirt orders go towards expenses for Wings of Hope, which include just under $3000 left to pay on the existing site. We would love to be able to complete this payment by fall, before our next Evening of Remembrance, and we need your help. After we complete our payment on the site, we are ready to move forward with additional projects in the community, including fundraising for Cuddle Cots for local hospitals, support kits for moms who experience pregnancy loss, and more!

Print, complete, and mail your order form to Julie (our committee member), at the address provided. The $20 fee includes shipping to your home address.
​

As we get ready for another Evening of Remembrance and a second Design & Wine fundraiser, we want to take this time to thank everyone for the continued support of Wings of Hope. We have come so far since those painted outlines on the grass and dreams on the dry erase board in our committee meeting.

We still have much to do - and more goals to reach. This includes approximately $3000 to finish paying for the memorial, the annual costs for engraved markers with the month and year of the common burial (with one marker between two burial plots), monthly expenses for printing brochures and other materials, expenses associated with each Evening of Remembrance, candlelight vigil, and other events, and goals and projects to further the mission of Wings of Hope. These include things like donations of Cuddle Cots to the local hospitals - so families can have as much time saying hello to their little ones before they have to say a final good-bye. 
​
How can you help Wings of Hope?
There are several ways you can help us meet our needs and reach our goals.

• Join our committee. We usually meet once a month (more if we are having a special event) for about an hour. You do not need to have experienced a loss to share your talents and compassion with the group!
• Volunteer. We cannot do what we do without volunteers.
  • We have a woman who sews burial blankets for our common burial services. Each tiny baby lost in miscarriage is buried in one of these special blankets.
  • We rely on local pastors and musicians to participate in our burial services and other events.
  • Businesses donate items such as flowers for the Evening of Remembrance. Have a business or know someone who does who might be able to help? Let us know!
  • A volunteer makes our Rainbow Baby Gear to help us share some hope while honoring the lives of little ones.
• Order an engraved paver. The proceeds from each paver help pay for expenses, but they also are tangible pieces of evidence that show love and support for families.
• Attend a fundraiser. We recently announced a second Design & Wine fundraising event - and would love to see as many people possible join us for this evening of fun and painting adventure! 
• Tell others about Wings of Hope. This is the kind of organization that no one hopes to need - but when faced with the loss of a child - needs this kind of hope and resources. Share on Facebook. Follow our blog. Tell your sisters, brothers, daughters, sons, neighbors, and co-workers about Wings of Hope.
• Donate. Every dollar really does help. 

We continue to be humbled by the support from the community of Southern MN. From the constant support of Calvary Cemetery and Terry Miller, the caretaker, to Mankato Mortuary and the essential services they provide, to the artistic talents and efforts of Tom Miller to bring our dreams for the Wings of Hope monument to reality, to the families and businesses who have donated time, money, and goods - we thank you.

Moms are not the only ones affected by miscarriage and newborn death, and these handmade Christmas ornaments that will be for sale at our booth are evidence of that. These were made for Wings of Hope by a woman who has lost grand-babies to miscarriage - and who has other families and friends who have also experienced loss. 

The wonderful woman who made these for us said she put soft down in four of them to represent angel feathers, and the other four have glitter. Reminders of babies, angels, and wishes on stars.

Donations like these not only help Wings of Hope, but they can make great gifts for those in your life who you maybe just don't know how to say, "I remember, too."

Need a centerpiece for the holidays or a mini Christmas tree for your front porch? We have a variety of options for you - all potted plants you can keep for the season in your house or leave outside until spring. Some have LED lights as well. More colors and styles arriving soon for our Holiday Expo sale!

See something you like and want it now? Let us know!

Saturday, November 19th
9 am - 4 pm
Madison East Center, Mankato
All proceeds from sales at our booth go to support the mission and goals of Wings of Hope.

We continue to prepare for the Holiday Expo on the 19th of November, and this winter scene will be there waiting for someone to take it home! It measures about 15" x 10" and can either hang on a wall or be used as a table top decoration - $9 and it is yours. 

We hope to see you there on the 19th, shopping from 9-4 and helping us reach our fundraising goals! Questions? Email us or give us a call at 507-519-0158.

Have someone who loves to camp on your holiday shopping list? How about these pine cone fire-starters we have available for our craft and bake sale?! Set in wax with a candle wick woven through the pine cone, those outdoor enthusiasts will love the ease they have of starting their next bonfire! Just $0.75/each - and you can pre-order yours today if you can't make it to the sale on the 19th.

How about a gift to pamper someone (including yourself)? We also have these peppermint bath salts made with essential oils - just $4/jar - and you can pre-order these today, too!

We are getting more items ready for our fundraising efforts at the Holiday Expo on Saturday, November 19th in Mankato at the Madison East Center. Keep checking our site for updates and sneak peeks. Hope to see you there on the 19th!

The Wings of Hope committee continues to prepare for the craft and bake sale on November 19th! This is the first time we will be participating in the annual event at the Madison East Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., where vendors of all kinds will have tables set up with their handmade designs, crafts, and delicious baked goods. Come and shop for a good cause at our booth and help support families in Southern MN who experience pregnancy and newborn loss. All proceeds from the sale at our booth go to Wings of Hope and the services we provide.

Have something to share that we can add to our booth? We still need donations of crafts of all kinds and baked goods - please consider helping us reach our fundraising goals! And remember, you can shop early by looking at the items we have already available on our blog and sending us an email to let us know what you would like!