A donation of this amount would enable us to put together a box of special items for a family we connect with in the hospital. We invite you to include a message for the family in the box. Messages can be emailed to donations@emptyarmspls.com

Items included are subject to availability. Items usually included are as follows:

- A special book that parents may read to their little one before saying goodbye and that may also be read to previous and subsequent children.

- A journal and pen. Many baby loss parents find journaling to be extremely therapeutic after the death of their baby. It is an active way to work through the grief they are feeling.

- A candle holder, flameless candle, and wax candle. The Wave of Light is a ritual that many baby loss families all over the world take part in annually on October 15th, which is Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Day. Candles are lit at 7 PM, local time, and kept burning for one hour; creating a continuous wave of light across the globe. We provide these items for parents, with a little note about the event, so that they may have something special to honour their little one as they take part in the Wave of Light.

- Perennial wild flower seed. We include some hardy perennial flower seeds for families to scatter/plant in honour of their little one.

- A stuffed animal. It is beyond heartbreaking to leave the hospital with empty arms. It has also been found that mothers can experience the very real sensation of aching arms after the death of their baby. We include a stuffed animal in the package that can be left with baby when saying a final goodbye, but the majority of parents take it home with them and cuddle it when they need some comfort.

- A memorial necklace for moms.

- A special wristband for grieving dads, created by author/blogger/loss dad, Kelly Farley. The grief that dads experience is unique, but no less important. It is important to include something special for dads to honour and remember their little one.

- A book for dads, “From Father to Father”, which is a compilation of short letters written by other loss dads to a newly grieving dad. Reading the occasional letter can help dads feel a little less alone in their grief.

- A book for moms, “You are Not Alone”, which is a compilation of short letters written by other loss moms to the newly grieving mom. Reading these letters can help mothers feel a little less alone in their grief.

- A card with a meaningful quote written by another baby loss parent. This helps new loss parents to see that they are not alone.

- kleenex

- An honourary birth certificate for baby. Babies born still do not receive a birth certificate. Even those who live for a short while are not entitled to one unless they have lived for a specific amount of time. The lives of these babies deserve to be honoured and recognized, even if they only lived in the womb.

*All of these items are given to families in a simple box.

We also have air dry clay available to do hand and foot impressions, as well as special ink kits for foot and hand prints. This gathering of mementos is done with the help of the parents so they have memories to go along with the mementos. Just a few more treasured possessions and a testament to a little life lost.

***Donation receipt will be issued.