Heavenly Butterflies

Two ladies put their skills and sewing machines to work for dress charity

On a hot July day, I dashed from the passenger side of the car into my eye doctor appointment. To my surprise, my husband got out of the car too and noticed the giant flat tire at the rear of the passenger side. How did I not feel or hear this deflation?

Inside, the vision exam went well and the generous staff offered to cart us over -along with a giant, flat tire- to a reliable, local tire shop, where I learned of a bittersweet operation. As I read the various ‘thank you’ notes and testimonies displayed on the waiting room bulletin board at a tire shop, I became curious about a two-woman operation called ‘Heavenly Butterflies.’

Shortly after the tire was replaced, my husband pulled into an Applebee’s parking lot. As I sat on the call, mesmerized with the beautifully shared story, my husband listened to the sounds likely coming from his stomach and headed inside to order. I found myself on the phone listening to the charity work of Jackie Davis, who one fine day decided to pick up the skills of sewing to transform donated wedding gowns into beautiful, little bereavement garments for stillbirths and deceased infants.

Jackie explained how she and wing-woman Norma work hard each year to accept wedding dresses from all around NC to wash, store and reconstruct into about 250 bereavement gowns, which make their way to hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

Since she was already in the business or storing formal dresses and gowns, Jackie mentioned she also got involved with providing dresses for formal dances to help families have the ability to send their teens to local dance events. These women and their generous efforts really warmed my heart!

If you, or someone you, know would like to donate a wedding or other formal gown to be used for these purposes, please contact Jackie or Norma. They have been known to retrieve at homes or businesses, depending on the donor’s preference.

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