DeLanee's Story

10 years ago, Becky and Tommy, were blessed to be pregnant with their second child. Shortly thereafter they learned that they were going to be parents to a little girl, but the probability of their daughter living for very long was extremely low. Their daughter was diagnosed with a condition called Dandy-Walker Cyst. The doctors believed that their baby girl would deteriorate and pass away during pregnancy, but much to their surprise DeLanee developed until 28 weeks gestation when she was delivered and lived for three hours. As you can imagine, these 3 hours was precious time that they spent as a family with their daughter taking pictures, bathing, dressing and holding her until she passed away in their arms. Upon DeLanee's passing, the nurses brought the family a box to put their daughter’s belongings in to take home with them. Because DeLanee was born in January the nurses were able to find a leftover Christmas box. That Christmas box became extremely special to them and they clung to it and the contents inside that held their daughter’s precious belongings as they left the hospital without their baby. It was because of this box that the inspiration for Lanee’s Legacy began. . .



Saturday, November 23, 2013

Remembrance Box Making

This box making was different and very special in comparison to other box makings we have done.  We made over 80 boxes and each one of them was made in memory of a baby that was gone too soon.  Every one of those boxes was filled not just with supplies, but an incredible amount of love!  It was so beautiful to see families working in their baby's memory....knowing that the box they were creating would be given to another family facing a similar path.  What a labor of love!!  THANKS goes to all those who came and supported our event, those who donated and those who gave service that night in helping things to run smoothly.  A great big thank you to Becky Hancock who catered the event ALL FREE OF CHARGE with the most delicious food!  There are truly amazing people in this world!  People who are so generous and selfless and go above and beyond in times of need to help.  I LOVE that I get glimpses into this goodness.  It brings hope into what can seem like a cruel world at times.  It shows what we as human beings really are!   That we love and serve and support and look for those who stand in need of help and reach out to them!  How blessed we are to witness these acts of love and service!!


 
 




















Thursday, November 21, 2013

YAY! 2 More Days until our "Remembrance Box Making"


We are now just 2 days away from our "Remembrance Box Making"!  We are so excited!!  We have had a great response to this event and can't wait to work with all of you on Saturday as we honor our babies and help future families who will experience this loss.

If you haven't already signed up, today is your last day to do so.  You just need to click on our donate button to the right and remember to leave your baby's name in the comment section.  The event is this Saturday at the Marriott Convention Center (200 N. Centennial Way) in downtown Mesa at 6:00 p.m.  All are welcome to come even if you have not reserved a box and do not have anyone specific to create a box for.  We have MANY hospitals who are just waiting for this event to be over so that we can make deliveries and. . .having many hands make light work!!

Not only will we be making boxes, but we have received many donations from businesses who would like to participate in our raffle to help make our event a success!  We will be selling tickets that night for $1.00 or 6 for $5.00.  We have amazing prizes from places like:







AND MORE. . .

We will also be blessed to have the gals from "Chicks with Picks" attending our event to add some music to our night!!  What an amazing group of girls who offer their talents for organizations like ours!!

 
 
 
 
If you can't tell, we are SUPER excited for Saturday.  We have found ourselves wondering why we have not done an event like this before?!?  We are hoping to make this an annual tradition and just know that this first one will be a huge success!!  Come be a part of it!!!
 
See you all Saturday!!

 

Monday, November 11, 2013

Winner!!


Our "giveaway" for our necklace has closed and a big congratulations goes to CARRIE STRONG!  Carried registered for our Remembrance Box Making by reserving 12 boxes that she will create in honor of her grandson, Mason.  Thank you so much for your support Carrie!  We can't wait to see you on the 23rd!!



Friday, November 8, 2013

Giveaway from Metal Stamped Memories!!


Our "Remembrance Box Making" is just two weeks away!  We are so super excited about this box making event and can't wait for you all to come participate!!

Have you heard of Metal Stamped Memories?  If you haven't, I think you should go visit their website and check out the amazing things they have!  They have many options for mothers who have lost a baby and ways you can remember them through the jewelry they make.  Its absolutely beautiful!  And what's more?  Michaela has an amazing heart and because she believes that "what we do is important", she wanted to donate this necklace to our upcoming event.  (Btw, stay tuned for many other donations we have received that will be included in our raffle that night -- AMAZING!!)  Anyway, we have decided to use Michaela's gift  in a giveaway.  I will give the winner Michaela's information so that you may work with her to customize this necklace to have your baby's name and birthstone on it.  I've gotta say. . .I will be jealous of the winner!

So beautiful, right?


Here is how you can be entered into the drawing to win.  This giveaway will be open starting today and ending on Sunday, November 10th at midnight.  We will use www.random.org to select our winner and post the results on Monday.

  • #1:  Registering for our box making between now and midnight Sunday will get you entered 3 times into this drawing.  You must register here on this site using our "donate" button.  Please remember to include your baby's name in the "comment" section so that we may have your sticker ready to put on the bottom of your box.

  • #2:  "Sharing" our status during that time period on Facebook will get you entered once.

  • If you do both, you are entered 4 times!!
So, if you were planning on coming to our event and have been waiting to register, now is the time to do it!!  Good Luck!!



Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Remembrance Box Making



We are so super excited to announce an event we have in the works.  We of course have had many, many box makings, but none quite like this.  This box making is unique in that you can come and create and assemble a box in memory of your baby, your grandbaby, your niece, nephew or friend.  What a great way to honor your baby while giving back to someone in need!

I remember so very clearly how alone I felt after saying hello and goodbye to DeLanee.  I felt as though I was the only person who had ever felt this pain.  I had just joined a very LARGE group of people who had experienced a similar loss, but at the time I felt very alone in my grief. Our hope with this box making is that when a future family receives a box from a family who has walked in their same shoes, they can feel comforted and loved and, most importantly not alone.  We want them to know that they were thought of and in receiving this gift they can feel how much they are cared for.

One of the greatest blessings in participating in this organization is the amazing people I have been able to meet and work with!  As we do these events, those that attend are those who share the common goal of helping others. So, not only will you be helping grieving families by attending this event, but what a great opportunity to come and connect with other families who are traveling the same path you are. 

We absolutely LOVE what we do!  I invite you come and join us and feel what we feel as we serve those around us who need it most!  Please, mark your calendars now for November 23, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. at the Mesa Marriott Convention Center in downtown Mesa.  It is really important that you pre-register for this event by clicking on the "donate" paypal button to the right.  In the comment section, please leave the name of your baby so that we may preprint stickers to go on the box.  It costs us $25.00 per box, which is the cost of this fundraiser.  Please share this event with your friends and family as well!

 
 

Saturday, October 19, 2013

Walk(s) to Remember



In 1988, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed October as National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. October 15th is the specific date set aside where parents, friends and family can come together in love and support to remember a life that was cut short. 
 
Lanee's Legacy's slogan is "Healing Through Remembering" and so we welcome this special day and month as an opportunity to participate in planned events to do just that. . .REMEMBER.  We felt honored to be invited to two events this month by hospitals/groups who have went to a lot of time and effort to have a walk and event for bereaved families to come to in memory of their baby.  
 
Scottsdale's Healthcare's Walk to Remember:
 



 Scottsdale Healthcare has a very unique idea where they do a ladybug release for the children:
 
 

 
 
They had a balloon release:
 
 
"Chicks with Picks" provided the music.  This gal here was AMAZING! 
 
Thanks to Susan at Scottsdale Healthcare for letting us be a part of their special day! 
 
BANNER DESERT'S WALK TO REMEMBER:
 
On October 19, 2013 we attended Banner Desert's Walk to Remember.  This is Banner Desert's 21st year at planning this event and they certainly know how to make it so extremely special for families.   It was such a great day seeing familiar faces and meeting new ones.  It is always so humbling to see how many lives have been touched by the loss of a baby.  

 


 
We appreciated the opportunity to speak at this event as it gave us the opportunity to thank those that support us all year long!   
 
 
Our booth:
 
 
 


 
I want to especially thank those that came and helped us with our booth this day.  No member of Lanee's Legacy has ever been paid for the service and time they provide.  They haven't even ever been reimbursed for their personal expenses.  We simply love what we do!!  Thank you especially to Emery Westover, Rachel Davenport and Kami Perry for all their help!