[et_pb_section admin_label=”Section” fullwidth=”off” specialty=”off”][et_pb_row admin_label=”Row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]
A tender touch amidst a sea of sorrow is what Melody Penrod brings to parents dealing with the sudden loss of a newborn child. Searching for ways to comfort those in need, she began Tender Mercies in 2015. At Tender Mercies, they believe that every baby angel who returns to heaven deserves to be welcomed home in beautiful bereavement clothing. St. Mark’s Hospital, one of the many locations to work with Tender Mercies, declared with gratitude that the special clothing has “created an exceptional and unforgettable experience” for those patients who have “suffered an unbearable loss.”
St Mark’s, along with the many other hospitals to offer Tender Mercies’ bereavement clothing, were often left with no options to dress babies of such small size. Sadly, these precious children were often wrapped in a washcloth or paper towel. Now, thanks to Tender Mercies’ efforts, these angels can be dressed in clothing truly reflective of the beauty and purity that still surrounds them, even in death.
Melody’s desire to help those in need was driven by her desire to find needs that were going unmet. Her research put her in contact with bereavement counselors at local NICUs, and the idea of Tender Mercies was born. Learning about the lack of bereavement clothing, she felt these sweet babies deserved greater respect and dignity. After discovering a group of mothers on the east coast who used donated wedding dresses to create tiny burial gowns and tuxedos, Melody felt she had found her calling by doing the same in Utah.
With her extensive experience sewing and designing dresses, she immediately designed and created her first dress using some extra white satin fabric she had on hand. As she searched for patterns, the smallest she found was for a 20-inch baby. She began shrinking patterns and offers clothing in lengths of 6, 10, and 12 inches. Thanks to her efforts—and those of others who donate time, money, and material—one hospital each month receives 25 burial gowns and tuxedos. Local hospitals provided with these outfits include Timpanogos Regional, Orem Community, Utah Valley Regional, and Mountain Star in Payson. Soon, American Fork, Lone Peak, and even Primary Children’s will be able to offer Tender Mercies’ bereavement clothing to grieving families.
Donations have come from any wanting to help in any way they can, and include wedding, prom, and temple dresses as well as fabric, lace, ribbon, and even cash. Among the donations are wedding dresses that have been in families for decades, some for over 60 years. The opportunity to do “something special” drives these individuals to sacrifice something they love to help those who have lost something they love. In addition to material, 35 women with creative backgrounds and extensive experience offer their time and talents to help make the most beautiful gowns they can create.
As the women craft their beautiful creations, they feel a great sense of purpose. Lisa McDonald was worried that it would be a struggle the first time she cut into such a beautiful wedding dress, but found that as she did so, it “spoke more to my soul. There are people out there going through a devastating loss and I can’t fix that, but I can give them one moment where they realize someone was thinking of them.”
Melody can be reached at 385-230-8440, or at melody@tendermercyangels.com.
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=1286&sid=33714673
http://www.standard.net/Faith/2015/09/12/Tender-Mercy-Angels
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section admin_label=”Section” fullwidth=”off” specialty=”off” transparent_background=”off” background_color=”#9451a0″ allow_player_pause=”off” inner_shadow=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off” custom_padding=”100px||100px|” padding_mobile=”off” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” make_equal=”off” use_custom_gutter=”off”][et_pb_row admin_label=”Row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”dark” text_orientation=”center” header_font_size=”40″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” text_font_size=”40″]
We are here for you
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”dark” text_orientation=”center” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]
Contact us for your free consultation today.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_button admin_label=”Button” url_new_window=”off” button_alignment=”center” background_layout=”dark” custom_button=”on” button_bg_color=”#5b0f71″ button_border_width=”1″ button_border_color=”#520b66″ button_letter_spacing=”0″ button_use_icon=”off” button_icon_placement=”right” button_on_hover=”on” button_border_radius_hover=”30″ button_letter_spacing_hover=”0″ button_text=”Contact Us!” button_border_radius=”30″]
[/et_pb_button][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
