The East Texas organization handcrafts unique baby gear to provide comfort to families after pregnancy and the loss of a child.

TYLER, Texas (KLTV) – Many families across the country are affected by pregnancy and the loss of a child.

Families are often presented with their lost child in just a normal blanket.

“Usually you go home with your baby,” says Dolores Price. “And my husband and I went home with an envelope.”

Price is one of thousands of women who have suffered the loss of a child.

“Two weeks later, I opened that envelope and saw that it had instructions on what to do after my procedure, but also a heart,” Price says.

A handcrafted heart made by volunteers in East Texas who help honor the memory of the loss of a child in a special way.

“I put it on a frame like it was a photo of my baby that I couldn’t take home, but that represents a life,” Price says.

She said she discovered that the heart came from an organization called Angel Layettes in Flint, Texas, where founder Sharon Skies began making handmade layettes for lost babies to be presented in a special way to their families in the hospital.

“Parents can keep this as a reminder of the beautiful life they lost,” said Kathy Wade, a volunteer at Angel Layettes. “This is a wonderful service. It’s really heartbreaking. My heart goes out to any parent who ever needs one of these.”

From cutting to sewing and gluing, Angel Layette sets range from large to smallest sizes. Not only do they help families in East Texas, but they also distribute them across the country for free with no expectation of anything in return.

“Angel Layettes’ mission is to help grieving families,” says Debi Hottinger, the volunteer coordinator at Angel Layettes. “You hold the baby and say goodbye, and we provide the items needed.”

Price says she has remained with the organization for nearly 10 years since receiving her special heart.

“There is no other place I would rather work because it meant so much to me,” she says.

She hopes other mothers who have lost their babies have the opportunity to remember them in a special way.

To learn more about Angel Layettes, click here.

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