A Special Message from Our Founder

Dear friends of Holy Sews,

We usually have a month-long supply drive for Holy Sews, called April Showers… Until this year.

Instead of asking for supplies for April Showers, we turned it around. We showered our community with face masks. We made sure that our mission and budget stayed intact. We kept just enough donations coming in to balance our gifts. 

Holy Sews is going strong! We have an unbelievable number of volunteers! Sewing volunteers are working double overtime, and our mask making volunteers are doing the same! 

In late March, Holy Sews received numerous requests to sew face masks and donate them to local health care facilities. I consulted physician friends who urged me to hold off. In addition, I knew in my heart that Holy Sews has a specific mission–to clothe the body of Christ in the most vulnerable form. The fabric that we have in our closets is purchased with funds donated specifically for sewing burial layettes. Consequently, our board of directors released a statement that we would not be sewing masks. 

Just before the statement was released, our New York chapter was given a mask pattern by a local hospital with an urgent plea to make masks. On the exact same day, our DFW chapter was asked by a labor and delivery nurse to “please focus on the layettes.” It was a painful realization for me: Mothers are experiencing stillbirth ALONE due to visitation restrictions

Knowing the juxtaposition of these stories, I knew that our statement was “technically” correct, but it did NOT ease the conflict in my heart. I felt quite guilty. 

Then it happened. A physician friend sent a pattern to me, a design that was approved by the hospital–one with shop towels as the primary material. Challenge accepted. 

The Lord doesn’t call the equipped. He equips the called. Over and over I’ve seen this happen. We ALWAYS have enough for right now. 

Here we are. Stuck in the middle with Coronavirus. As I said in an interview. I just make it up as I go along. In other words, I’m trusting The Spirit to guide me. It is never wrong. 

What we’ve done is simply spearheaded a community effort to provide local hospitals with a functional face mask that can be used for those who are coming to the hospital and arrive without a face mask. 

I also know that the fear of this virus is causing people to forget that other medical emergencies are STILL HAPPENING. Of course, I’m talking about stillbirth. 

Even with loved ones near, isolation and fear are overwhelming. I cannot imagine going through that LITERALLY ALONE, because loved ones are not allowed into the hospital AT ALL.

It’s ONE thing. It is a way of fighting this pandemic from a different angle, that angle is called compassion. 

Help is needed desperately by those who are in the trenches, fighting the invisible enemy. The needs are different, but these needs are most definitely the prayers that healthcare professionals are uttering over and over. 

I’m asking you all to join me in this “Odyssey of Trust.” No one knows what tomorrow holds. Let’s just trust that The Spirit is already there and will hold us up as long as we trust and follow where it leads, and that we will have enough for every single “right now,” that we will face in the future.

Blessings,

Regina Binz

April Shower Gift Drive

April Shower Benefitting Holy Sews

It’s time for the Holy Sews April Shower to help restock our supplies.

We are in need of the following items:  (Also see our Amazon Wish list)

  • 1/4″ & 5/8″ Satin Ribbon
  • 5/8″ Grosgrain Ribbon
  • 5/8″ White Organza Ribbon
  • 3/8″ Ribbon Rose (Pastels)
  • Fleece (Pastels & Whites)
  • Flannel (Pastels & Whites)
  • White Tulle/Netting
  • Eyelet & Lace Trim
  • Box Pleat Trim
  • Fray Check
  • Rick Rack (Pastels & White)

Not sure what to buy, please consider purchasing gift cards to any of the following stores or donating directly to Holy Sews:

  • Hobby Lobby
  • Hancock Fabrics
  • Wal-Mart
  • The Stitching Post
  • Joann Fabrics
  • Amazon.com

How to donate your gift?

  • Gifts can be dropped off at Holy Souls Catholic Church at 1003 N Tyler St, Little Rock, AR 72205.
  • Gifts can also be mailed to Holy Sews at P.O. Box 251506, Little Rock, AR 72225

For questions contact holy sews at info@holysews.org

2015 Year End Letter

Dear Friends of Holy Sews,

We come to you with a sincere hope that you have had a Merry Christmas and many hopes for a very Happy New Year! Holy Sews has been truly blessed this year. In the past month alone, this ministry has gained 25 new hospitals across the country. Since 2008, Holy Sews has worked with hospitals nationwide to provide more than 4,000 handmade burial layettes at no charge for “micro-preemies” who die during the second trimester of a pregnancy.

With the increasing number of hospitals served and the increasing number of requests for layettes, we are working hard to meet the need and provide for each location. Would you please consider an end of year charitable donation to Holy Sews? Your contribution is tax deductible as we are a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Your donation will help us to provide these layettes, free of charge, to hurting families across the country at their most vulnerable time of need.

Donations can be made:
Online through our website at www.holysews.org/donate

Or by mailing a check to:
Holy Sews Inc.
P.O. Box 251506
Little Rock, AR 72225

Thank you for considering Holy Sews with your gift. You are a part of the family which makes Holy Sews possible and we are so thankful for you.

In God’s Love,

Regina Binz
Founder and President
Holy Sews, Inc.
www.holysews.org

Support for Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day

Capital

Below is a list of Advocates that supported the International Wave of Light Ceremony that occurred on Thursday October 15, 2015.  Thank you for your support.


 

Angel Mommies of Arkansas is a local group that sews Teeny Tears diapers. They fill orders as they are received for Arkansas.  To be involved with this group, contact Karen Merrell. (karenjmerrell@gmail.com)

Arkansas Children’s Hospital has a wonderful program open to the public called “Good Mourning.”  This program serves adults and children that are grieving the loss of a loved one.  Contact Reverend Brent Fairchild for more information.  (fairchildbw@archildrens.org)

Baptist Health Medical Center has been associated with the SHARE Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Group for over 20 years.  The vision of SHARE is to set a standard of personalized bereavement care through support, hope, healing, resources, and education to parents and siblings.  SHARE is a national organization started in 1977 at the request of a grieving family.  At Baptist Health, we educate our nurses as well as supporting families.  We have monthly parent support group meetings.  Our annual memorial service will be held on November 1, 2015, at 3 p.m. in the Gilbreath Conference Center at Baptist Hospital and is open to the public, including children.  Contact Nancy Meneley, RN or Haley Floyd, RN for more information.

Catholic Health Initiatives, St. Vincent Hospital   The Journey program will have its annual Candlelight Memorial Ceremony on Nov. 1, at 7 p.m., in the main auditorium.  This beautiful memorial service and reception are open to the public. Contact Queena Waggoner (qewaggoner@stvincenthealth.com)

Cornerstone Clinic for Women promotes women’s wellness with a staff of five doctors and three nurse practitioners.  They are concerned with all aspects of a woman’s health and well-being, whether expecting a first child or busy keeping up with grandchildren. Contact Lisa Grummer for more information.  www.cornerstoneclinicforwomen.com

Faith’s Melody provides hand-stamped pendants at no cost to bereaved parents in memory of their baby. Family and friends may custom order a necklace in support of their loved ones, which will help defray the cost of the pendants. Please like their page on Facebook, visit their website (www.faithsmelody.com) or email (faithsmelody@yahoo.com) for more information.

Holy Sews. Inc. provides hand-made burial layettes to grieving families at no charge. Monthly work days are a safe place to share your story and do something productive to work through your grief.  Volunteer opportunities are available that do not require sewing skills. Please join our Facebook page to keep up with work days and other items of interest.  Contact Regina Binz or Mary Sue Whitelaw for details. (www.holysews.org, regina@holysews.org )

Linda DeYmaz, author of Mommy, Please Don’t Cry will be available to visit and autograph books. Her beautiful book was written in memory of her daughter, Alexandra Grace DeYmaz, who was delivered stillborn on Easter morning of 1995.

March of Dimes Their mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. Contact Kristin Powell for more information kpowell@marchofdimes.org

Mamie’s Poppy Plates provides treasured remembrance plates with your baby’s foot or hand prints.  Please see their website for more information regarding their annual fundraiser, “Race to Remember.”  Contact Sarah Adams for details. (www.mamiespoppyplates.com)

Molly Bears provides a weighted teddy bear in your baby’s weight. It is specifically made to fill empty arms of mothers all over the country.  Please see Jodie McGinley for more information (www.mollybears.org, www.facebook.com/mollybearsorg)

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep is a national organization that provides bereavement photography to grieving families at no charge. This beautiful service is in need of skilled volunteer photographers. If you are interested, contact Jill Meyer, Lizzy Yates, Jessie Findley or Kimberly Harper.  (nowilaymedowntosleep.org)

Progenity provides complex molecular and specialized testing services.  The cost is affordable in Arkansas for the first time at $25 per test. They partner with OBGYNs to offer patients high-quality tests with clear, actionable results that enable informed medical decisions. They offer non-invasive prenatal screening, and other women’s health tests, including Cystic Fibrosis, Spinal Muscular Atrophy and Fragile X, which are the top 3 genetic diseases recommended for testing by ACOG and ACMG. For more information, contact Donna Didier (donna.didier@progenity.com)

Roller Funeral Homes offers free funeral services for children under one year of age. They will be holding candle lighting ceremonies in honor of your loved ones that have passed away at various location from November 29 through December 8.  Catered luncheons will be available.  Contact Tommy Green, Darah Moore, Steve Swartz, Kay Powell or Rodney Cissell to determine which ceremony best suits your needs. We are grateful to Roller Funeral Homes for sponsoring our searchlight.

UAMS Love Lives Program strives to offer high quality bereavement care. Their goal is for you to forever treasure the short time you have with your baby. If you’ve suffered the loss of a baby due to a genetic defect, UAMS has special services to offer. Please see Shannon Barringer, Chrissy Wright, or Dr. Sara Peeples

Wee Care Smocking Guild offers beautiful hand-made smocked gowns for stillborn babies in Little Rock.  Smocking requires a great deal of time and talent.  This group of ladies welcomes new volunteers, and they are willing to teach you their skill. If you or someone you know would like to be involved with this organization, please call The Stitchin’ Post – 501-227-0288.

2014 Year End Newsletter

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This has been a truly amazing year for Holy Sews. We are so thankful to each of you for supporting this ministry and the families that it serves. Your prayers, hard work, and financial contributions are being used by our Lord to help this ministry grow and flourish each year. Hearing from the families that we serve, listening to their stories, and remembering each baby gone too soon is the driving force for all that we do.

We want to share with each of you just how the Holy Spirit has provided opportunities for Holy Sews to grow this year, to minister to more families, and to be the hands and feet of God to those who are grieving.

 

Holy Sews is currently serving:

  • 42 hospitals throughout Arkansas
  • 17 hospitals in other states including but not limited to North Carolina, Wisconsin, Texas, New York, Missouri, Michigan, Florida, Louisiana, and Iowa
  • 1 hospital and doula in Canada
  • Layettes have been distributed to hospitals, doulas, funeral homes, and individual families

In 2014, Holy Sews has distributed:

  • 613 layettes
  • 25 blankets
  • Numerous hats and other items requested by the hospitals served

Holy Sews Volunteers have contributed and formed:IMG_9172

  • Over 2,000 hours of volunteer service
  • 14 chapters around the country and in Canada

Each and every person who has read our story, received a layette, helped at a work day, prayed for this ministry, or contributed in some other way is a part of this accomplishment. It is all to the glory of God and for the help of hurting families that this work is done. We thank you all for the part you have played in this story.

As we reach the end of the year, we look forward with anticipation to what the new year will bring and the ways that we can grow this ministry in the future. Won’t you join us? Won’t you help us? Please join us in praying for this ministry and for God’s will to be seen and realized. Please join us at a work day or by doing some work at home. Please consider contributing financially to this ministry. You can contribute online via our website at www.holysews.org or by mailing your gift to Holy Sews, P.O. Box 251506, Little Rock, AR 72225.

Thank you and a Happy New Year from your friends at Holy Sews!