Penny Brown and Denise Leduc, are both members of Angel Gowns of Cornwall and Area ,. Doing these Angel Dresses has been my way of coping,” explained Brown who has had several miscarriages. “It helps me heal and it’s a worthwhile cause.” — photo Francis Racine
“She’s amazing and we love having her on the team!” On average, a donated dress will create about five outfits. “We have to have several sizes,” specified Leduc. “They are measured in pounds,” contin- ued Brown. In addition, the group will often embel- lish pieces. One of the volunteer holds up a gorgeous blue outfit. On it is a sort of glitter, making it sparkle in the whole room. “We used parts of two wedding dresses for this one,” she said. Brown also recalls that one time, the
group received a fire engine red promdress. “It was fromBejiing,” she indicated. “It also had leopard prints on it.” The volunteers worked diligently and managed to make a number of outfits with the red, all the while keeping the leopard print for little bowties, to go along with little tuxedos. “We work with anything we get,” pointed out Leduc. Bring comfort to the local population In order to bring warmth to parents who just lost an unborn child, the organization brings several pieces to local hospitals, such as in Cornwall, Brockville and Winchester.
“I just got off the phone with theWinchester hospital,” Brown confided. “I have to bring them some more.” One of the volunteers at the table, herself a doctor, explained: “It’s as if children dying during pregnancy is a stigma, as if it’s taboo. People don’t like to talk about it toomuch.” In order to fight the stigma, Brown suc- cessfully convinced the City of Cornwall to proclaim October 15 as the Pregnancy and Infancy Loss Day. In addition, the organization held a remembrance service at the Cornwall Cenotaph. In honor of the event, the lights
in the fountain were blue and pink. “A lot of people participated in the event,” declared Brown. She hopes to organize the event once more this year. “I want it to go on every year!” The group is always looking for volunteers to help them in their quest. “We’re always looking for anyone willing to help,” said Leduc. “It doesn’t evenmatter if you know how to sew or not, we’ll teach you!” Interested individuals can email Brown at peanutbrown77@hotmail.com
The Journal Cornwall
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Wednesday, February 22, 2017
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